Lantern

03/10/11

Very fish oriented

by heintzel

Lantern is really good but the menu is very fishy. If seafood is your fave then you will love it. I love the back bar room for drinks. The room is dark, red and very sexy. The service has always been great.

I love their heirloom tomato salad but it is seasonal, which is to be expected. One flaw--a little overpriced

11/08/10

not so great

by aristocholea

I'm sorry I subjected my family to this experience - the food was less than mediocre and extremely overpriced. As a vegetarian, I was excited at the description of the tofu entree on Lantern website and for $21.00 I expected it would be really tasty! - one star - edible but in the realm of Asian fast food. The sides [rice etc] were skimpy and two in the party found the chicken to have a rather strange taste and did not eat it.

05/15/10

overrated

by AnnaSchurmann

I think the food here is overrated, the service is poor & its expensive. Have a drink in the bar & go elsewhere for dinner.

• Pros: good bar atmosphere
• Cons: bad service, food a bit dull

02/01/10

Beautiful restaruant and terrific food!

by UNC Fan

This place is really beautiful and a cool place to bring a date. The food is unique, delicious, and beautifully presented. I was there on a Friday night and it did get a little loud, but I knew that was a possibility going in. For a fantastic meal that's a departure from the everyday, I'd recommend Lantern.

08/24/09

Underwhelmed

by cccrowder3

Five of us girls went to Lantern for a Girls' Night Out on a Saturday night. We were seated right away, and ordered drinks. Then, we waited. And waited. Seriously. It took over 20 minutes to get 2 cocktails. One member of our party asked to have her water glass refilled. The waiter huffed, got the pitcher, refilled it, rolled his eyes and asked if she'd like a larger glass. Rude! Appetizers: salt and pepper shrimp (tasty!), pork and chive dumplings (good, but unremarkable), seafood spring rolls (eh - not much too 'em). Entrees: Shaking beef (REALLY good!), ribeye steak special (not terribly flavorful), tomato stew (good), smoked chicken (yummy). Desserts: sweet corn panne cotta (different, but not bad), hot chocolate cake. Three members of our party were concerned about the "chocolate rum" on the cake (they're pregnant!) and inquired if it could be left off. The snooty waiter said it was part of the ice cream (not at ALL how the description on the menu reads!) and we'd "be fine." Really. But, the desserts were fine, even though it took a long time to get them. Several of us ordered coffee, and it was never refilled or warmed up. No split checks at Lantern, so we figured out our portions and had just paid when the manager came over and asked us to leave since the "next reservation" had arrived. Wow! I understand the need to turn tables over in a busy, small restaurant, but really. I'm not sure how Lantern was named Best Restaurant in the Triangle last year, but we won't be returning. If I feel the need to go to Chapel Hill for Asian Fusion again anytime soon, you can be sure I'll visit Jujube instead!

• Pros: Food's not bad
• Cons: Ridiculously rude staff