As the Triangle has grown over the years, a lot of the development has been upwards instead of outwards. And with the emergence of these new high-rise developments, we’ve seen a slew of bars and restaurants open up with great views of the city below. The latest addition to the Triangle’s rooftop scene is the Lenny over in the 555 Mangum building! After several visits to the Lenny, I can tell you that overall I’m pretty happy with what they are offering. But there are definite areas that can be improved upon, fingers crossed they make the right changes!
The Lenny, Durham – Location, Interior
First if you’re headed over to the Lenny, finding it is a bit tricky. I mean it’s hard to miss 555 Mangum and if you’re using parking in the building, it’s an easy shot off of Jackie Robinson Drive. Otherwise there isn’t much street parking given how busy this area is (Rte. 147/Durham Freeway and DBAP) so likely you’ll need to park in the 555 Mangum parking structure. For both my dinner visits, the parking lot arm was up and I’m assuming parking is free until they get more businesses active in the building.
Hoof it across the courtyard and there will be signage directing you up to the Lenny. I once ran into a hostess kiosk on the first floor, otherwise take the elevator around the corner and you’ll be whisked up to the 11th floor! Right outside the Lenny, you for sure will run into the official hostess desk, I’m assuming they might do both on busy nights to control crowds upstairs. That’s a lot to navigate but phew, it’s all going to be worth it!
Inside the Lenny you’ll need a bit of time to take in all the decor. U-shaped bar to the left, raw bar to the right, along with a smattering of 4-tops in the dining room along with a cozy booth and nook for one larger party. It’s hard to describe the decor at the Lenny, it’s a bit too busy and clashes a lot to the eye when taken in whole. Floral patterns, modern geometric tiles, blown globe lighting, red leather chairs along with black marble and black tile at the bar. Even the seating fabric/shapes don’t match, making for a “hmmm” moment from an ambiance perspective.
In the end, The Lenny may be going for loud and brash when it comes to the interior design but I’d prefer they tone the decor down and make it more consistent, simple, and clean. You may love the look and feel inside but for me, the decor is a mixed bag and doesn’t do a great job in terms of improving the ambiance and experience.
The Lenny, Durham – Menu, Food
Like the interior design, the menu at Lenny is quite a mix of cuisines and food types. Tapas, burgers, charcuterie, flat breads, and a raw bar means you’ve got a lot of eating options. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher if you’re trying to figure out what the focus of their menu is from a culinary standpoint. But is it tasty? Yes, I’d say out of the many dishes I’ve tried, the Lenny is doing quite well once you get past the lack of a food theme. I’d recommend starting with the gruyere croquettes smeared on top with some aioli and micro-greens, dee-licious!
And the gambas ajillo are fun, an appetizer served up in a bowl with garlic foam and hearty rustic bread on the side. I’m also a big fan of the Lenny’s flat breads. Choose from chicken, carne asada, margherita, and tartee flambe (onion/pancetta), you’ll get a tasty, crispy, large appetizer served on a wood cutting board.
The Lenny also offers some traditional mains as handhelds and entrees. I’ve done their cheeseburger served with french fries, and a side salad. I’ve also enjoyed the grilled hanger steak served with mushrooms and cauliflower, simple but delicious. Overall the offerings at Lenny are well-sized and well-prepared, good value for the money. If you’re willing to overlook the randomness in the menu, I think you’ll enjoy your meal.
The Lenny, Durham – Service, Conclusion
Service at the Lenny has been far from perfect given I visited twice in their first month of business. While the bartenders seem pretty solid, the waitstaff has been a bit unsteady during my visits but I certainly want to give them time to shake things out over time. I’m assuming the staff was a bit inexperienced and had some difficulties dealing with the crush of interest that the Lenny generated initially.
In the end, despite all its flaws and imperfections, I’ve enjoyed all of my visits to the Lenny and the view is totally worthwhile. If you’re able to time your visit during a fireworks night at DBAP, you’ll maybe get to enjoy a phenomenal sunset AND a loud, sparkling show to bookend your visit. The mix of lounge, bar, patio, and restaurant at the Lenny is not for everyone but it’s worked well for me. I’m curious to see where they go with the menu and decor moving forward, bon appetit Bull City!
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