Pieno-Lleno Restaurant — Restaurant in England

Alright hear me now, it’s the start of the Christmas season and we are beginning with a bang. This place a bit more eloquent than most places I review. After a series of alright places but nothing spectacular I decided that enough is enough and go to one of the most highly recommended Mexican restaurants in Southend. To see if we can get some good, FLAVOURFUL food to satiate my critical palate.

The ambiance of the restaurant was sublime, with cool lit sombreros placed around that gave off a homely but somewhat authentic Mexican vibe with visually appealing art representing Día de los muetos. I would like to give a massive thank you to the wonderful woman who served us on that day, Alice whose service was amazing and who welcomed us in with a warm and inviting smile and placed us somewhere that was away from the door so we wouldn’t be cold.

Combo chicken and BBQ pulled pork Mexican fajitas

This was a meal to remember, it came with fresh Guacamole, salsa, sour cream and cheese in very small bowls and freshly heated flour tortillas. Then came the main event sizzling ferociously on the hot pot, the chicken and pulled pork on a bed of onions and mixed peppers. I tired the chicken first and it was a bit dry and some where a bit burnt from the heat but then I added the pulled pork which absolutely changed the game. It was SENSATIONAL. I was concerned that the BBQ flavour might be overpowering but it wasn’t, it was beautiful infused with passion and love bursting with flavour completely revolutionised the whole fajita. So much so it made me completely forget about the dry chicken and the odd burnt onion or pepper and I indulged on all four fajitas. They could be seen as a bit stingy especially with the sizes of everything . If they made the portion sizes a bit bigger, so more meat and bigger tortillas if would have been another level ! 8.7/10

Churros with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and Carmel sauce

To top of a culinary experience that has superseded most of my experiences that I have had of late. I got the classic churros, graciously and quite generously I might add, covered with cinnamon sugar and powered sugar. Eating it with the chocolate sauce was something else. Indulgent, warm, sweet, and with the cinnamon sugar it gives that warm feeling that can remind you of Christmas which is great especially for the season we are in. A great way to end the experience. 8.2/10

I did get a virgin piña colada but I wasn’t really a fan of it but if you don’t drink I would recommend a strawberry or passion fruit mojito very fresh from the lime and mint and sweet or kinda sour depending on which one you get.

Overall experience 9.5/10 - for more review check my...

Recently opened Upminster restaurant, and we’re very pleased in our ‘take a chance’ meal. We passed earlier in the afternoon and saw that the restaurant had opened. We returned a little later for a late afternoon, early evening meal and were very pleased we did. We chose starters of calamari, tequila-spiced prawns and hot ‘n spicy mushrooms. The staff said the spicy mushrooms were ‘spicy’, but you never know. Okay, we agree, these spicy mushrooms were spicy. Not so much that it burns the tastebuds from your tongue so you cannot taste anything else, but you know you have eaten spicy food. The mains we chose were the Cajun chicken burger served in flatbread with Mexican (paprika) seasoned fries and the chicken enchilada served with Mexican beans, salsa and guacamole. Wow, just wow. Really fresh and flavourful. The calamari coating was light and coked to perfection. The tequila-spiced prawns servers in a Mexican seasoned tomato sauce were lovely. The portion sizes of the mains were good with the enchilada being packed with the chicken and vegetables. Restaurant location: great. Parking nearby, good bus links and 100m from Upminster station. Restaurant decoration: excellent hand-painted Dia de los muertos murals and sombrero lamdshades. Atmosphere: warm and welcoming. Staff: happy and personable. Cleanliness: very clean and fresh-smelling. Food presentation: excellent, numerous Mexican coloured plates and bowls. Food taste: lovely. Full of flavour and clearly cooked fresh to order. Well-seasoned and not overly salted. Portion sizes: typical starters but large mains. Cocktails: Pina colada was great, but the Alabama Slammer was a great choice!! Cost: £££. Slightly more than a burger bar, but cheaper than a Chinese or Indian meal: similar to an Italian restaurant. We really enjoyed the meal, so much so that we booked our next visit before leaving! Great restaurant, staff, atmosphere and...

From the moment I stepped into Pieno-Lleno, I was captivated by the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that makes this place truly special. This restaurant is a gem for anyone seeking authentic Mexican cuisine.

The menu is a delightful journey through the tastes of Mexico, offering a wide variety of dishes that cater to all palates. Each dish I tried was bursting with flavor, perfectly seasoned and presented with care. It's evident that the chefs here are passionate about their craft, bringing the essence of Mexican cuisine to life with every plate.

What made my dining experience even more enjoyable was the exceptional service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, creating a warm and inviting environment. A special mention must go to our waitress, whose enthusiasm and expertise in recommending dishes made our meal even more enjoyable. She was the epitome of excellent service, always there with a smile and quick to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect.

The ambiance of Pieno-Lleno adds to its charm. The decor is tasteful and authentic, contributing to an atmosphere that is both relaxing and lively. It's a great spot for any occasion, whether a casual dinner, a special celebration, or a cozy meal with friends or family.

Pieno-Lleno is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary experience that takes you straight to the heart of Mexico. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food, fantastic service, and a delightful atmosphere. I'll definitely...