Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Introduce
In the heart of the Upper East Side, a neighborhood known for its elegant brownstones and sophisticated dining, Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) offers a refreshing and unpretentious take on classic Italian comfort food. Located at 1167 2nd Ave, this restaurant has garnered a loyal following by providing "restaurant-quality" meals that are both delicious and conveniently packaged for takeout or delivery. It’s a place that proves you don’t need a fancy, sit-down experience to enjoy genuinely good Italian cooking.
Lena's Italian Kitchen's philosophy is simple: to serve up made-to-order Italian classics using only the finest ingredients. The focus is on traditional, comforting dishes that taste like they came straight from a family kitchen. From rich and creamy Pasta Alla Vodka to hearty Chicken Parm Heros, the menu is a celebration of flavors that are familiar and deeply satisfying. This commitment to quality has earned the restaurant high praise, with some customers even claiming the pasta is among the best they’ve ever tasted, even after having been to Italy.
The atmosphere of Lena’s is a reflection of its focus on efficiency and quality. It's a quick-service restaurant designed for the fast-paced New York lifestyle. While the provided information suggests a take-out and delivery-only model, customer reviews and other public data also mention a lack of traditional seating. This business model is a major part of its identity, allowing it to focus entirely on preparing and delivering top-tier food. The staff is consistently described as "friendly," and the service is known for being fast, ensuring that customers get their meals without a lengthy wait.
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) is located at 1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065. This prime Upper East Side address places it in a vibrant residential and commercial area. The neighborhood is known for its beautiful architecture, numerous shops, and accessibility to Central Park and other major city attractions. This location makes it a go-to spot for locals living in the area, as well as for visitors who are looking for a reliable and delicious meal.
The accessibility of the restaurant is a major selling point. The Upper East Side is well-connected by multiple subway lines and bus routes, making it an easy trip from almost any part of the city. For those with cars, paid street parking is an option, though it can be competitive. The restaurant itself features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible seating, making it a welcoming place for all customers. Its focus on delivery and takeout also means that its accessibility extends to customers' homes and offices, which is a huge benefit in a city that relies heavily on food delivery services.
Lena's Italian Kitchen offers services designed for maximum convenience.
- Delivery: The restaurant is a delivery-focused business, bringing its delicious food directly to customers' doors. This service is a major highlight, as it allows people to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of their own homes.
- Takeout: Customers can place an order and pick it up themselves, which is a great option for those who live or work nearby.
- Onsite services: While there is no traditional seating, the onsite services focus on quick and efficient counter service for takeout orders.
The model is perfect for those seeking a quick bite, a satisfying lunch, or a comforting dinner without the formality or wait times of a typical sit-down restaurant.
The highlights of Lena's Italian Kitchen are rooted in its dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.
- Delicious and perfectly cooked pasta: The restaurant is celebrated for its pastas, which customers rave are always "perfectly cooked and creamy." This attention to detail in a quick-service setting is a significant draw.
- Large portions and decent prices: Many customers praise the generous portion sizes, noting that the food is a good value for the price. This makes it a great option for a satisfying meal.
- Non-pretentious atmosphere: Lena's is known for being a friendly and welcoming place that serves high-quality food without any of the formality or high-end prices often associated with Italian dining.
- Homemade flavors: Reviewers consistently mention the "homestyle food," with praise for their meatballs, sauces, and fresh ingredients. The food tastes like it's made with care.
- Wide menu variety: From appetizers like Calamari Fritti and Lena's Homemade Meatballs to a variety of pastas, heros, and large salads, there's something for every appetite. The menu even includes a range of vegetarian options.
These features combined make it a standout choice on the Upper East Side.
To contact the restaurant or to find its exact location, you can use the following information:
- Address: 1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Phone: (212) 725-5362
This information is useful for placing an order for pickup or delivery, or for getting directions to the location.
What is worth choosing about Lena's Italian Kitchen is its commitment to delivering "quality food" without the need for a pretentious setting. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers calling the food "delicious," "creamy," and noting that it's "one of the best pastas I’ve ever tasted." This high praise from people who have experienced authentic Italian cuisine speaks volumes about the quality of the food.
The convenient service options—delivery and takeout—make it an ideal choice for a quick lunch, a solo dinner after a long day, or a satisfying meal with family. The menu offers a wide variety, from classic favorites like Pasta Marinara and Meatball Parm Hero to fresh salads, providing a full range of choices. The fact that the restaurant is known for its fast service and friendly staff only adds to its appeal. For anyone in the Upper East Side looking for delicious, authentic, and generously portioned Italian comfort food, Lena's Italian Kitchen is a top-tier choice that promises a great meal every time.
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Spaghetti
Soups
- Pasta E Fagioli $11.00
Ditalini pasta and cannellini beans served in crushed plum tomato and roasted garlic broth.
- Tortellini En Brodo $11.00
Cheese tortellini pasta served in chicken broth
- Stracciatella Soup $11.00
Traditional Italian egg drop soup with spinach.
Pastas
- Pasta Marinara $20.50
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Bolognese $25.25
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce, topped with fresh ricotta.
- Pasta Carbonara $27.25
Imported pancetta, onions sauteed in a classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Broccoli $25.00
Fresh broccoli florest sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Pasta Shrimp Marinara $28.50
Shrimp sauteed in garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Fiorentina $28.00
Baked chicken,spinach and mozzrella sauteed in creamy pink sauce.
- Pasta Alfredo $25.25
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Garlic & Oil $20.50
Sauteed Garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Pasta Al Forno $25.00
Our version of the classic baked ziti.
- Pasta Shrimp Oreganate $28.50
Shrimp and spinach sauteed in garlic and white wine scampi sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs.
- Pasta Alla Vodka $25.00
Imported prosciutto sauteed in creamy vodka sauce.
- Pasta And Meatballs $24.50
Meatballs and traditional Italian tomato sauce.
Heros
- Chicken Parm Hero $16.75
- Meatball Parm Hero $15.50
- Chicken Alla Vodka Hero $17.75
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce,diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella
- Eggplant Parm Hero $15.50
- Chicken Club Hero $15.50
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets, lettuce, tomatoes & Italian dressing
Beverages
- San Pelligrino $3.00
- Snapple $3.00
- Diet Coke $3.00
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Sprite $3.00
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
- Poland Spring $2.25
- Coke $3.00
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
Large Salads
- Large Garden Salad $15.75
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olives , cucumbers, mozzarella and Italian dressing.
- Large Pecan Salad $17.00
Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Large Market Salad $17.00
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Large Caesar Salad $15.75
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon Caesar dressing.
- Large Mediterranean Salad $17.00
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette.
Side Pasta
- Side Pasta Garlic & Oil $12.75
Sauteed garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Side Pasta Marinara $12.75
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Side Pasta Pomodoro $12.75
Traditional Italian tomato sauce.
- Side Pasta Alfredo $13.75
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Side Pasta Vodka $13.75
Imported prosciutto sauteed in a creamy vodka sauce.
- Side Pasta Bolognese $13.75
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce.
Vegetables
- Side Of Broccoli $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Spinach $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Broccoli Rabe $11.00
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
Entrees
- Chicken Semi-Freddo $26.25
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets topped with mixed greens, red onion, shaved parmesan & cherry tomato salad
- Chicken Paillard $26.25
Grilled chicken topped with choice of sauteed spinach, broccoli or broccoli rabe.
- Grilled Salmon $29.50
Grilled Norwegian salmon served over sauteed broccoli rabe and tuscan white beans.
- Chicken Alla Vodka $22.75
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce,diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella
- Chicken Francese $26.25
Egg battered chicken scallopine sauteed in white wine, lemon and butter sauce.
- Meatball Parm Platter $20.50
Homemade meatballs, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Chicken Marsala $26.25
Chicken scallopine simmered in mushroom and Marsala wine brown sauce.
- Chicken Parm Platter $21.50
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Eggplant Parm Platter $20.50
Egg battered eggplant, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
Small Salads
- Small Pecan Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Small Market Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Small Caesar Salad $11.25
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon Caesar dressing.
- Small Mediterranean Salad $12.25
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette.
- Small Garden Salad $11.25
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olives , cucumbers, mozzarella and Italian dressing.
Desserts
- Tiramisu $7.00
Sponge cake soaked in espresso, topped with mascarpone and coffee creams, dusted with cocoa powder.
Appetizers
- Garlic Bread $9.75
Topped with melted mozzarella.
- Lena's Homemade Meatballs $14.00
Right outta the sauce, topped with fresh ricotta
- Calamari Fritti $20.25
Served with marinara sauce. Serves 2.
- Calamari Arrabbiata $22.75
Fried calamari tossed with flame roasted peppers in a spicy Arrabbiata plum tomato sauce. Serves 2
- Fried Mozzarella $14.00
Homemade pan-fried fresh mozzarella wedges, served with marinara sauce
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Paid street parking
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Photos










Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Location
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES)
1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Reviews
deliverypricechicken parmmeatballssandwichpenne alla vodkagrilled chickenportion sizespackagingchain
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Very delicious pasta. Large portions and decently priced. The pasta is always perfectly cooked and creamy; have been here multiple times. There is no seating or dining in, you must order to-go. Would recommend ordering from here.
May 20 · PhoOne of the best pastas I’ve ever tasted! And I’ve been to Italy!So Friendly and so great that you don’t have to go to a pretentious Italian restaurant to get quality food.Love you guys
June 09 · Mr. LuisI decided to try this restaurant because I love Italian food and it's named after "me" haha 😄 jk. It was delicious, I will order again and I do recommend. The only thing that I don't really like is that in order to place a direct order through their website you must create an account and provide all your information. Check out as guest should be an option.
February 26 · Lena PDon't let the small takeout only restaurant front fool you. For the value and flavor, it's worth dropping by and picking up a meal to take home. I had the Meatball Parmigian entre, and it was pretty good, not bad for the price.
April 18 · Rique LGreat solid food. Most importantly, it’s consistent. You won’t get a bad meal one day and a good one another day. They have their sauces down, perfectly seasoned and cooked to achieve that velvety texture. I love how the dishes are customizable. For example, I was able to remove prosciutto from my sauce in the options. I don’t eat pork so this was huge for me! Lena has great people working in the kitchen, and I’ve never physically been here (I order out), but I can tell it’s made with love. If I’m ever in the mood for pasta, I know I can get it from here and it’ll be good, so thank you!!
November 02 · Bee G
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