Lena to launch new brunch menu on Sunday
Lena will begin serving brunch on Sunday morning.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
"We wanted to jump start it after Restaurant Week," said general manager John Sleamon. "Next week we'll be open for brunch on both Saturday and Sunday, but this week it's just Sunday."
The brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature four flavors of arepas (traditional savory Latin-style pancakes), build-to-order omeletes with ingredient options such as pickled onions, chorizo, drunken goat cheese, and escabeche salsa, and a variety of South American-themed entrees.
Brunch-goers will also find a build-your-own Bloody Mary menu, made with Lena's house-infused liquors.
Lena has been serving Latin-American flavored food since opening late last summer in the space formerly occupied by The Parthenon, on the corner of Liberty and Main Streets. Detroit Free Press reporter Sylvia Rector recently listed the restaurant as one of the best new restaurants in Metro Detroit.
Jessica Webster leads the Food & Grocery section for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at JessicaWebster@annarbor.com. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Foodie01
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:14 a.m.
I can't support the negative comments. We had a fantastic experience there during Restaurant Week -- great food, excellent service, warm atmosphere. I have experienced slow service downstairs, but nothing that would keep me from returning.
Foodie01
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:11 a.m.
Best Bloody Marys in town. Try the bacon-serrano pepper vodka. Menu looks great; I look forward to trying the food.
Jon Carlson
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
Thanks for the comments both good and bad. While it did take us some time to get things figured out , I feel confident that we are there now. Like any new business, it takes time to get things right. Since we don't have similar style restaurants in Ann Arbor , each one is unique and it did take us a bit longer than expected to reach our goals. Brunch was always part of the equation but we wanted to get our flavors, pricing, sizing etc correct first. Heck, we changed our menu 4 times to get it just right. I do think this location (that we are renting) is high profile so we did take our lumps but sales are now exceeding our expectations and we are continuing to work on pleasing our customers. Thanks for sticking with us and supporting us throughout the startup. I know posting directly may open myself up to the critics(specially on my grammar and spelling- sorry Old Mission Elementary but you didn't help me out on this one) but oh well, that is OK. Honestly, except for the fake or mean posts(which there will always be), the comments actually help us get better and better.
Go Blue
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 12:12 a.m.
For their first brunch at this location, it was great! Food was excellent, prices are realistic and the service was wonderful. Meals were served quickly with no lag time. Pretty much a 10 and not really anything to complain about. Count me in.
Julie
Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 11:44 p.m.
The brunch was outstanding and unique. We had a variety of the offerings and we were impressed. I know it's good when I'm already thinking of what I'm going to order next weekend. I don't understand how others can comment without even trying it. Our kids also loved it.
regularjoe
Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Wow. This place just continues to impress. There is no place in town that serves food like this. The brunch was outstanding. We had the french toast stuffed with banana cream cheese. Never had stuffed french toast before. So tasty. We also had the salpicon which was a traditional potatoes and rice dish in a broth with an egg on top. Man, was that good. The bloody mary's were build your own from their menu of in house made liquors and ingredients. Not too spicy, just right Probably one of the top brunches I've ever experienced. And this was on their first day of serving. Can't wait to wake up some friends and bring them down there.
Townspeak
Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 12:02 a.m.
The place is lame and hurting. They had a bad start and rushed to open. Too expensive, portions too small and seating is uncomfortable. I miss the parthenon and lack of pretension. This place will be gone or will change theme/pricing in less than a year.
Jon Carlson
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
hmmm- Not sure if you have been back recently. While we can't change the seating(just want to say to everyone that yes, these are similar to what many of us grew up with in grade school but we love them. The were designed by the greatest American Designer ever- Charles Eames and we think they are wonderful and comfortable. Portion sizes and pricing has changed dramatically. Come back and try it. If you want a challenge..... I will pay for your lunch if you can eat everything on your plate if you order the fish tacos. :) We are here for the long haul.
Lovaduck
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
You certainly can't stop giving free publicity to this particular restaurant! What gives? (Great photo, though)
Kyle Mattson
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.
Hi lovaduck, Just to respond to your questioning of the coverage of Lena: Although we do closely follow restaurants in the central Ann Arbor area we do make an effort to cover the entire diverse dining scene throughout the county as thoroughly as possible. We welcome any restaurant who may be making a significant change to their operations be it a new chef, remodel, redesigned menu, etc to reach out for consideration of publication. Thanks!
Jessica Webster
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 4:24 p.m.
Isn't it a great photo? Daniel and I were out covering Restaurant Week and noticed how gorgeous it all looked with the white Christmas lights.
Radlib2
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 6:31 a.m.
I figured it out--advertise on AA.com and they'll be your surrogate.
Jessica Webster
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.
Nope, we report on restaurant news whether the restaurant advertises with us or not.
Hot Sam
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 12:51 a.m.
They need to do something... as a huge fan of their other restaurants, this one was a major letdown...
martini man
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
I can remember when that place used to be a Cunningham's Drug Store and soda fountain. Am I old or what ??
Jessica Webster
Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 4:22 p.m.
It was the Parthenon when I moved here in the late 80s. Bummed that I missed Cunningham's. I still miss Lucky Drug.
GoNavy
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 3:12 a.m.
I remember when it was farmland. Am I old or what?