We drove to Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens, to dine at the seafood restaurant London Lennie’s that’s been owned and operated by the Barnes Family since 1959. The valet parked our car as we headed inside to our table.

Our waitress, Mariann, listened intently as we each requested our drinks, apps and meals, indicating that one of us has a severe shrimp allergy. She never took a note, walked to the computer and entered our orders. Impressive.

When Mariann returned with our beverages, she reiterated that the kitchen was aware of the shrimp allergy.

We happily sipped our mojitos ($15) as we nibbled a slice of the warm small loaf of bread, and each ate a portion of delicious cole slaw before our waitress served our appetizers.  I recommend the steamed shrimp and crab dumplings with ponzu-Thai chili garlic sauce (6 for $17). One dining partner ordered the tuna tartare ($15) with roasted ginger soy dressing, sriracha pearls and crispy wontons, while we all shared their fried Point Judith calamari with marinara sauce ($16).

I selected the twin soft-shelled crab special ($42) with chopped plum tomatoes and fresh basil in a beurre blanc as my entree. Others chose the pan-roasted monkfish “osso buco” ($37) with shiitake mushroom risotto in a pinot noir demi glaze, seared New Bedford sea scallops ($45) with fingerling potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and the cioppino, California seafood stew with shrimp, mussels, clams and fish in a tomato broth over linguine with a toasted baguette ($39).

My dining mates had room for dessert, two selecting the key lime pie, the other the rice pudding ($11 each). We had mentioned that we were celebrating birthdays together, so they brought desserts with lit candles.

I recommend London Lennie’s as a fun tasty place for fresh seafood.

London Lennie’s
Queens
6388 Woodhaven Blvd
Rego Park, NY 11374
(718) 894-8084
londonlennies.com/