Good quality cooking, dubious if it’s worth the price. I had high expectations for Lantern as it is the only restaurant currently open in the Triangle area with a JB award. The pan-Asian Southern concept is also quite interesting: it allows the restaurant to get away from authenticity if it allows for better flavor. Although, I doubt if that decision really pays off for Lantern (the fried okra with tomato chutney is markedly inferior to any Indian or Southern preparation of fried okra). The rest of the dishes, however, were executed perfectly. The noodles, in particular, were a highlight: it’s as if the very essence of an oyster mushroom was distilled into the sauce. Similarly, the dumplings were cooked to a perfect toothsome level and the sesame dipping sauce accompanying them was outstanding. All that said, I’m still unsure this is worth the price - there are certainly better restaurants in the Triangle area that you don’t have to pay this much for. Worth a visit, but not more than once.
We chose Lantern to host our rehearsal dinner and were BLOWN AWAY. They were so accommodating, flexible, and obviously served amazing food. Our guests couldn't stop talking about how great and fun the family-style meal was. We would HIGHLY recommend Lantern to anyone looking for a wonderful event venue. Thank you, Lantern team!
Lantern has always been a favorite of ours. We were excited when they finally reopened. The food this time was good (on average), not great. Exceptional: pork and chive dumplings, corn chowder and coconut cake. Good: The Bi Bim Bop (sliced beef, sticky rice, egg, grilled vegetables and hot sauce on the side) a quality dish but it didn't really excite my wife or me. Disappointing: The salt and pepper shrimp, fried with shell on, including jalapenos and coriander. Our waiter, Stephen, was great... the perfect combination of being knowledgeable and just the right touch of personal warmth. His recommendation of the Cabernet Franc was spot on. However, our service experience was severely marred by having to place the order for each course from our cellphone. Who wants to interrupt a dinner conversation, let alone remember, to order each course from your cellphone? This is not a quick service restaurant at LaGuardia. Retrieving a menu via a QR code is great. But placing your order with the proper timing should be the job of the waiter... even if you have to wait a few more minutes because you're short staffed. Finally, if they know it's your wife's birthday and you're dropping $200 for dinner, perhaps comping a slice of coconut cake would be a nice touch.
The food and service were both exquisite. Vegetarian options were a bit limited, but absolutely outstanding. Do not miss the chaat. Have to be finished our first bowl of it, we ordered another.
Go. Just go. The weather is perfect in the Fall for a trip to the outdoor seating at Lantern. The food and service as as inspiring and delicious as always. If they have a shiso-infused gin cocktail, get it. They infuse the gin with their homegrown shiso and make the shiso salt rim - it's refreshing and unexpected. The fried fish is fun and completely interactive - perhaps not the best pick for a first date, but otherwise a new twist with tamarind and cilantro. Delicious, spicy and delicate at the same time. The staff made us feel appreciated and safe at all times. What a wonderful evening.
