Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap – Preview

By Diana Oberoi

The Rosemont Neighborhood of Alexandria has just christened a new go-to gathering spot for enticing eats and delicious drinks all while boasting an awesome atmosphere. Lena’s Wood Fire Pizza is the brainchild of Owner Jason Yates and Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) David Clapp and Dave Nicholas. The restaurants moniker is a tribute to the Yates family matriarch, Lena. You can read more about Lena here.

Lena’s is an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria offering seasonal, all-natural ingredients presented in fun and imaginative ways. The standouts of the menu include 10-inch and 14-inch pizzas made from a 900-degree, 4,800-pound wood fired pizza oven. Other highlights include a variety of pastas that are made fresh in house along with seasonal salads, sandwiches and decadent desserts.

Italian born Chef Mauro Molino has been tapped to run the kitchen at Lena’s. Molino has worked at several of Washington’s top establishments including Rustico Restaurant & Bar, The Hamilton, T.J Stones and Lia’s under Chef/Owner Geoff Tracy. Molino will work under the direction of Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) Corporate Executive Chef Graham Duncan. Duncan’s immense amount of culinary experience is showcased throughout the menu as he does not constrain himself to traditional flavor combinations or presentations.

The menu will change seasonally and utilize as many local ingredients as possible noted Executive Chef Duncan. He was quick to explain that many ingredients such as 00 flour, and organic San Marzano tomatoes must be imported from Italy as will certain cheeses. However, the mozzarella that is featured throughout the menu will be made in house.

The restaurant has been crafted in such a way that as guests approach they will be able to watch the careful preparation of the pizza dough in the dough room, which is located at the front windows. The dining room and bar, which can accommodate up to 100 guests, features high ceilings and a large wood fired pizza oven, that was specially crafted for the restaurant by Marra Forni in Beltsville, MD. The pizza oven is located directly behind the bar, which gives patrons an excellent view to watch the chefs at work.

Hedonist Shedonist got a sneak peak (in pictures) at some of the dishes dinners will find on the menu.

 

 

 

A selection of 40 Italian and American wines will be available by the bottle along with 15 wines by the glass.  Prices range from $7 to $ 15 by the glass and $28 to $75 by the bottle. Lena’s also features an array of local ciders, craft & Italian beers on tap along with a selection of craft cocktails.

Lunch
Daily 11:30 – 5

Dinner
Mon – Thu 5 – 11
Fri – Sat 5 – 12
Sun 4 – 11

Brunch
Sunday 11 – 4

Happy Hour
Mon – Fri 4 – 7

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