Lantern

Doesn't Recommend

Cathy H.

Joined 11 days ago

The food here is overrated, the service is poor and it's expensive as well. Very unimpressed with this uninspired restaurant and staff. Next time I'll skip Lantern

Recommends

heintzel

Joined 5 years ago

Very fish oriented. 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

Doesn't Recommend

aristocholea

Joined 3 years ago

not so great. 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.

Doesn't Recommend

AnnaSchurmann

Joined 5 years ago

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

Recommends

UNC Fan

Joined 3 years ago

Beautiful restaruant and terrific food!. 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.

Doesn't Recommend

cccrowder3

Joined 8 years ago

Underwhelmed. 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!

Doesn't Recommend

cpaule2

Joined 4 years ago

Be careful if you have food restrictions. 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.

Recommends

CarolinaJames

Joined 5 years ago

Chic Gourmet in Chapel Hill. 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.

Recommends

JPP1123

Joined 5 years ago

Best of Chapel Hill. I was really impressed with Lantern - though the ambience wasn't as elegant as comparable DC restaurants, the food more than made up for it. The dumplings were excellent, the chicken delicious but not as delicious as the farm fresh long beans that accompanied it. Our favorite was the pork lettuce wraps - absolutely wonderful. The drink menu was exciting in a town of $2.99 miller lites - I recommend the dark and stormy (rum and ginger beer). We did not sit at the bar, but we did peek in and we plan to go there next time - its dark and romantic, a complete contrast to the bright, stark restaurant. We didn't save room for dessert, but next we'll try!

Recommends

carlagina

Joined 6 years ago

ok. After seeing all the raving reviews, I had to go here. I'm Asian and love Asian-fusion restaurants. Unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed with the food. Everything my date and I ordered had no taste. I was disappointed...especially for the cost. Although, I must say...LOVE the bar... the drinks, decor, and cozy feel are great.