Longtime friend, philanthropist, restaurateur Joan Barnes has a lot to celebrate. Her landmark restaurant London Lennies on Woodhaven Boulevard keeps adding luster to our borough.
The food is better than ever under the talented hand of executive chef Jeffrey Baruch and his team. He excited my palate and my friends’ with his creative and beautifully presented seafood.
We began our “feast” with their signature dish, a chilled mixed shellfish tower. It is handsomely presented on a round platter on a stand that includes half of a one-pound lobster, four enormous shrimp, three clams, three oysters, eight mussels and three snow crab claws. Wow! We gobbled it up because each piece was so good.
Keeping up with the trends and demands of the younger generation for a sushi menu, the chef developed an extensive number of choices. One thing I can tell you - their fish is the freshest you will find anywhere.
We had a beautifully presented platter of sashimi, red and white tuna, shrimp tempura rolls and organic salmon all decorated with fresh orchids - adding to the beauty of the dish. We shared a spectacular spicy yellowtail maki tower with mango, scallion and tempura crisp. Mouthwatering and delicious.
My guest Claire had a shrimp bisque chock full of shrimp. Her husband had a perfectly cooked seafood and mushroom risotto. It was done with shrimp, scallops, mussels and calamari in a sherry cream reduction. We all tried it and agreed it was the best-cooked risotto we ever had!
My husband Stu and I had crispy grilled jumbo shrimp stuffed with crabmeat. It was prepared with a green and yellow squash ragout featuring tall plantain chips and a white wine beurre sauce. Amazing!
For those non-seafood lovers, there is a choice of burger, steak or breast of chicken.
I was glad to see they also have a children’s menu. For those wishing to have a party there is a balcony that can accommodate gatherings up to 50.
And yes, we did save room for dessert. We sampled a creamy smooth New York Cheesecake and a mound of chocolate with a chocolate mousse stuffing, each decorated with freshly-whipped whip cream. Mmmm …
The restaurant has flourished since its founding in 1959 because of the high quality of the food, but for me their real success is built on the superb service and well-trained staff. My favorite waiter is Sandy Bittar, who has been there since 1980. However, under friendly manager Mark Connery and family supervision, London Lennies deserves their reputation of excellence in food and service. Try it, you’ll love it!
London Lennies
63-88 Woodhaven Boulevard
Rego Park
Hours: Open-7-days, Monday to Friday 11:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 4 to 11 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 9 p.m.
718-894-8084
Web site: www.londonlennies.com
Wheelchair accessible
Large wine and liquor selections
