Lantern

08/24/09

Underwhelmed

by cccrowder3 at Citysearch

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

07/30/09

Be careful if you have food restrictions

by cpaule2 at Citysearch

Great food - friendly staff, but please be sure to ask about ingredients if you have any allergies or food restrictions.

I had dinner there this weekd with a friend who's a recovering alcoholic. My friend ordered a dessert and was shocked by the taste of uncooked alcohol. Alcohol was not included in the item's description; and when we talked with the manager, she was sorry, although unconcerned that this might be a problem for other restaurant guests, and wouldn't consider including important information such as this in future menu listings.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Problematic for people with food restrictions

09/03/08

Chic Gourmet in Chapel Hill

by CarolinaJames at Citysearch

Having spent significant time on the west coast, where gourmet Asian fusion places are a dime a dozen, I was pleasantly surprised to find Lantern in Chapel Hill. Although it would be fairly common-place in a larger city, Lantern really shines in Chapel Hill... tasty and fairly unique food, imaginative drinks, and slick decor. The only drawback is that it gets quite loud when it's busy... an atmosphere that can be pulled off in chic restaurants in larger cities, but one that doesn't quite work on Franklin St.