This is the best restaurant in Chapel Hill. The food is good and service even better. Really like the ambiance and Sarah takes such good care of us, feels like she is family and not our waitress. My favorite restaurant in North Carolina. read more

I've eaten here twice and think the food is good to very good, but not over the top good as the critics would lead you to believe. I'm not a pan asian-fusion fan, preferring to eat the real deal whenever I can. I had the whole flounder and it was wonderful. The wait staff is helpful and eager. Nice ambiance, although not as upscale as maybe a few competitors across/down the street. I would recommend Lantern as one of many good foodie alternatives in Chapel Hill, but I am not a rabid fan. read more

Best food I have had in a while. Went there on a date and the place has a very romantic vibe to it, very dimly lit and cozy seating accommodations. We ordered the chaat, soft shell crab and crab cakes. I am East Indian and the chaat was delicious! Also both great appetizers were the crab cakes and soft shell crab. If you don't like spicy foods I would avoid the chaat and soft shell crab, but the crab cakes were moist and fell apart in your mouth delicious. Would highly recommend and plan on going back again very soon! read more

I know that there are divisive opinions regarding the Lantern, but as far as I'm concerned, being rank as one of the best 40 restaurants in America by Gourmet magazine is wholly deserved. Every meal I've had here has been great. Cooked perfectly with interesting flavors, perfect portion sizes, and good services. The interior is stylish without being over-bearing and reflects the Asian theme of the restaurant. As for the "secret" back lounge - one of my favorite bars in Chapel Hill. It's the cozy, hip space, colored with reds and black is perfect for a late night cocktail or PBR. It's also a great place to take a date for dessert after dining elsewhere. As other reviewershave noted, it can get crowded, especially on weekend, but that's par for the couse for a place that gets some much right. Probably my favorite restaurant. Period. read more

What an amazing place! Checked out Lantern on NYE for drinks, and didn't even realize that the bar I suddenly walked into from a dark alley was also connected to a restaurant! The bar was amazing enough, I can't even imagine the restaurant itself. My review therefore, is solely on the small back- bar portion, but it's worth noting. Just by walking up to the back alley for drinks you already feel like a VIP, a local who knows where it's at. I love the fact that it's tucked away, in a quiet little corner. It was much too cold for the cute, modern patio seating outside, but the interior was just as fun and unique. It's not a very big bar, but that's what reinforces that "Oh I am VIP". Along with the dim lighting, the cool colored lamps and walls, and the giant wooden bar. The bartenders were really nice, and the "Dark and Stormy" drink I had was delicious. It was literally a tall ceramic glass of dark amazingness. I definitely plan on going back to check out their dinner menu, this time at the restaurant side. It's a must for a date night or fun drink night with friends. read more

On e of the best meal I had in a while Delicate flavors Wonderful balance in Flavors The Vietnamese crab rolls wrapped in lettuce and mint a must - got two servings Dumplings both amazing with very delicate dipping sauce - the peas dumpling are surprising in delicate flowery flavor The chicken wings are petite tasty and simple Nothing like your typical texas wings Try the pickled small green tomatoes with anise flower flavored rice vinegar and small coriander seeds that pop in your mouth - refreshing and tangy read more

Went there for dinner yesterday with a group of 6 - probably won't be back. For the money we spent there are better restaurants in the triangle. I will say though that the special Pork Belly appetizer was amazing! I had the Seafood Hotpot - which was bland. Other members of the party had the spicy lemongrass tofu and seemed to enjoy it. $27-29 for the interesting entrees (there are a few cheaper options) seems overpriced for what you get. Oh - and the dessert wine ($11) was served in a spritzer glass. Ouch. read more

Heard a lot about the food here and finally found time to give it a try. The place is cute and I really appreciate the acoustic dampers they placed very subtly around the restaurant. It was so nice to hear my table easily! That goes a long way with me. Highly recommend for others with hearing loss! The NC spring roll appetizer was very good! The hot mustard was perfect flavoring. I had one of the night's special, the flounder. Though it was a bit messy, I thought the sauces and flavors worked great together! The carrot side salad was simple but perfect. The side of rice seemed very awkward like it was there as an after thought. The other dish we tried was the Japanese pot of fire. The name seems to suggest spice but it is most definitely not so do not be afraid to order it comes with wasabi on the side but otherwise is sweet and beefy like an American stew. The radishes were my favorite part however it felt more like radish stew and I wish there was a better ratio of between foods or more types of vegetables. Overall, great place to eat but lantern does not have that "wow factor." There wasn't enough complexity of flavors or full-body to the meals to justify the cost of the dishes. I feel that something was missing. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in town. I love to sit in the back table and bar area. It's characteristic of a classy red themed Asian lounge with similar hanging lamps. They have cute little round tables off from the bar and soft pillows with dragons on them to cushion yourself on the booth. I love the black mushroom & cabbage dumplings as an appetizer and the steamed halibut with ginger-- absolutely amazing. The food is inspired by all of southeast Asia, therefore you might find Vietnamese dishes, Chinese cuisine and the like. It's great for just relaxing at one of those cute round tables with friends over wine or a cocktail. I like the atmosphere here-- relaxed, comfie & fun. The bartenders are amazing-- Kristine is one of my favorites, she always has a great smile on her face and is one of the best master mlxologists in Chapel Hill. read more

I must admit I haven't gotten around to having dinner at the Lantern yet, but I do go there occasionally for drinks. The bar area has its own entrance, behind and to the left of the front door. It's a very cozy and intimate space and the decor is obviously Asian-inspired with lots of black and red. Normally I'm strictly a beer girl, but I'll brave the prospect of a nasty hangover for the delicious cocktails at the Lantern. The lychee-flavored Late Blossom and the ginger-flavored Junebug are my favorites by far. Not only are they tasty, but the presentation and garnishes are lovely. Drink prices are definitely steep, but I think the price point is okay for an establishment like this. Places like Top of the Hill and East End charge just as much for a drink, but their drinks are typically devoid of the creativity that the Lantern infuses into all of its cocktails. read more

On the outside, Lantern is quite unassuming. Nothing special at all. However, when you walk inside...it's trendy and dimly lit. Definitely a great place for a date. I would categorize this place as "Asian fushion". The menu ranged from curry to Korean BBQ to steak to lots of fish. My dad got the halibut and it was delicious. This restaurant is a bit pricey, you'll spend about $28+ for an entree. Also, the cocktails are very unique. I was very satisfied by this place! Be sure to make a reservation, this place is relatively small. read more

Pure foodie heaven! Everything we had was sublime. Starting with cocktails to dessert. The food is asian fusion with an emphasis on local and seasonal. Stand outs were the duck soup ( wow!) tender, tasty duck leg simmering in a beautiful broth with mushrooms, bok choy and fresh noodles. Our guest enjoyed the pork chop. The short ribs with kimchee were outstanding-really great kimchee. I would imagine everything on this menu is great based on our selections. I will dream fondly of this food and wish they were in Phoenix as I would be there often. Ambiance in the bar is great-low lights. intimate but you don't feel crowded. read more

Typical swanky Asian fusion confusion establishment. Food was decent, service was very good. Nice selection of drinks. I went with the seafood hot pot, had a number of huge shrimp, but I did have some shellfish envy as my fellow dinners had an abundance of clams in their hot pots, while I had a meager 3-4. For apps we did your standard fresh spring rolls and dumplings. Dining room had a nice atmosphere, but a little cramped. Back bar was very cool. read more

Heard that this place was a must go when In Chapel Hill and it definitely is! Lantern is the last bite to your favorite meal...so satisfying. Our server Brandon was so knowledgeable and charming, he described his favorite dishes with so much pride I couldn't resist ordering his recommendations. Being a Washingtonian I've had My fair share in elite restaurants in big cities so It was surprising to find such a fine tuned Resturant in a college town, but none the less Lantern is all the hype and more. If you want to escape from the college jungle for a night to a place with an alluring ambience, delectable food and impeccable service than run to Lantern! read more

Lantern - Creamy NC pork-chops - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Everything was very good, though no one dish was outrageously so. My wife and I ordered several appetizers - pork and chive dumplings, thai spring rolls, a special Korean barbecue dish, and something else. We also split one of the cakes for dessert, which was also very good but not outrageous. Those who say eat in the bar instead of the restaurant are correct, I think - much nicer ambiance, though those arriving after 6pm should be prepared to wait. read more

For my wife and I in order for a restaurant to propel itself to greatness four things must occur and last night The Lantern failed miserably. Food, wine, how and when the food is served, and server attitude. While my food selections were very good, my wife's starter was not pleasing in the least. Our palates have enjoyed many years of fine dining and both of us said "Eek" to her starter. I will not go into what we chose as tastes differ so figure it out for yourself by trying! I'll give you a hint. It's a dish served cold. In terms of taste my meal was very good so why a one star rating. The absolute worst thing a restaurant can do is to shove the food in your face. We told our server that we were in no hurry and did not want to be rushed. We were there to relax, talk and catch up from the busy week and enjoy. And we are not snobby people - just the opposite. We decided not want to order a bottle of wine (rare for us) as it was late and thought a couple of glasses would suffice. Well, here is where it starts to go downhill. If you like a full bodied red or white forget it by the glass. And the bottles of wine are excessively priced. The pours on the wine are VERY short and there are no nice Chards or Cabs from California anywhere by the glass. I thought maybe its just our table but noticed that every table had very short pours. The waiters had to take their time pouring so not to give too much wine. They are real slick in their pricing strategy regarding wines. Jack up the bottle prices, deliver a "thimble full" by the glass so you are forced to order another thimble and jack up these prices as well. Tacky, tacky, tacky. To get a bottle of wine you will pay $60+ for anything remotely resembling a nice full bodied selection. Again, as we did not want to be rushed we took our time ordering. So we ordered a starter and then about fifteen minutes later we ordered a couple of appetizers. BAD MOVE. They brought our starter and appetizer at the same time, crowded the table, and at that moment our dining experience was ruined and thus our evening out. The waiter told me beforehand that if we wait and order our food "this way" that it will slow things down considerably. "I'm just warning you", he said. I first thought to myself was I should be able to order the way I wish and don't want to be warned about anything during dinner. It was too late. I told them that's great as that is exactly what we want, not to be rushed. Just the opposite occurred. After they brought everything at the same time I told my server that this was unacceptable. He quickly shut me down through an abrupt "I'm sorry" and walked away. Now we are in a situation that we must shovel the starter and appetizer's down before they got cold. We had already ordered an entrée to split. It arrived three or four minutes later. If you like to eat like a pig and shovel everything down choose The Lantern or McDonald's. Both will certainly please! But if you like to relax and not be rushed choose elsewhere. For my wife and I "it's lights out for The Lantern." And that's a shame. read more

Soooooo - had this hibiscus vodka, lime and basil martini here. Then a watermelon, gin and shiso rimmed cocktail after that. Talked to the two behind the bar and they infuse their own vodka with the hibiscus! They let me taste the infused vodka by itself. Amazingly well extracted, red and syrupy. The hibiscus nose was subtle and the vodka on the tongue was quite surprisingly spicy of all things - almost like a really spectacular Red Hot. They also infuse their gin with shiso. Smoky and smokin'! The drinks were so amazing I had to try an appy. Wasn't planning on it cuz was doing dinner at CC. The crispy s 'n p shrimp was recommended, but after I told the bartender what I had said about okra she challenged me to try it. Did and 'nuf said. No more bad mouthing okra. Apparently you can deep fry slime and turn it into crunchy goodness! As a foodie from the SF Bay Area I'm really surprised by the underwhelming tone of a lot of the reviews for The Lantern. Either southerners are REALLY spoiled, or the out of town Kraft Mac 'n Cheese crowd are writing some of the reviews... read more

One of the best restaurants I've been to on Franklin. Their Asian fusion cuisine has a nice mix of flavors, and the restaurant has an intimate atmosphere. Though a little pricey, the food's well worth it, as I haven't found anything as good on Franklin. Great for dates, though first dates should never be at $30/plate. Sets the bar too high for subsequent dates read more

Excellent twist on pan-asian food by way of southern food if that makes sense! I loved everything my friend and I tried. The Chaat appetizer (crispy chickpeas, yummm!), the sashimi beef in spiced oil, the wagyu strip with veggies, the chicken and shrimp fried rice, the riesling sorbet, the pudding cake with sweat cream! YUMMY! Whenever I'm in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, I have to have this! read more

Drinks and food are excellent. This is a place that tries hard, and nails it. Chapel Hill is VERY lucky to have this place. read more

absolutely love this place! My boyfriend and I have eaten here twice and had 2 delicious meals. Expect to pay a lot for dinner and drinks but its well worth it. You can tell that they put a lot of thought into the dishes. I'm all about asian fusion and they hit the nail on the head. I will continue to go back at least once a month. Haven't eaten at the bar yet which I'm told is a gem, I'll review that once I've gone. read more

Went with high expectations and were not disappointed. Food was deserving of the James Beard award. Service by Ethan was top notch and he was kind enough to give us other suggestions for our weekend reunion gatherings. The wine list was very well organized by Robert, with price points very approachable. We have an opportunity for a wide range of outstanding options in Los Angeles. I'd put The Lantern up against any of them. Please open a LA location!!! read more

Latern was recommended to us by a local and what a find it was. Small, cozy with a simple yet modern look the restaurant didn't fill too many seats during the week. However I was pleasantly surprised at the richness in taste in the appetizer I ordered. The pork dumplings were a delight. My only regret is that we couldn't try more meals. Out of the highly rated restaurants we visited I must admit that by far the quality of the food here was the best. Also, they have a hidden bar area towards the back down a long hall giving you the impression of a secret addition to the place. Overall , great experience. read more

I went here with a group of friends (7, so we had to do a pre-fixe menu) and everything was delicious. The pre-fixe menu came with a few appetizers to share which were all quite tasty along with a choice of entree and dessert. They were conscientious about dietary restrictions. We were also very happy with the service. read more

My rule is that if you order the most expensive item on the menu and have to stop by Wendy's on the way home, there was something wrong. I had dinner at the Lantern last week and ordered a streak offering at $32. What came were 4 small pieces of a very chewy meat laid over a bed of Kale that had been fired to what seemed to be crispy nothing but was very greasy. Oh and a table spoon of rice. The total cost to the Lantern for the ingredients could not have been more than a few dollars. We did have two unappetizing appetizers to start. There are so many superb restaurants in our area that it is hard to understand how such a poor offering can keep patrons returning. Making their guests feel well fed is the first priority and this time it was missed. read more

On New Years Eve this was the best meal of the year! Their dishes are so creative and inspiring a visit here makes me so want to cook and eat. The service and environment is always lovely. There are many places in chapel hill I can depend on a good meal, and might get an outstanding meal. Here you can depend on an outstanding meal and may have an existential experience! read more

Lantern was on my wish list for a while and we finally had a meal there tonight. You know how it happens at times: stress, end of the work week, moody partner? It all was gone when the food came out! Even the moody partner suddenly became a happy person! We loved all the flavors and there were a lot of them. We chose to dine in the bar area and appreciated its atmosphere. Next time we visit I will sure take some photos and update my review. Thanks, guys! read more

Love it, great drinks, great back bar, great food! My friend's carrot soup was way too salty so they brought her a new bowl. The sushi box is stellar, you get what you pay for though so it is a bit pricey. read more

Lantern Bar is the bomb! Sophisticated, understated, mellow and lively outdoor space, red, dark and tiny indoor space, strong drinks, hidden. What's not to love?!? Get the appetizers--generally much better than the entrees, and much more affordable. The front restaurant is for when your in laws or grandma is in town--white tablecloths, stiff formal service, and one generally gets an entree. You sorta have to dress up. But if that's your thing, the food is reasonably good. read more

Lantern was a very neat spot to go to. Our server was very quirky and had a great way of describing the dishes to us. The food was spectacular. The dumplings to start were very tasty, along with the Korean BBQ pork chop. read more

I can't say enough about the most excellent evening we had at Lantern in Chappel hill. Yes it lived up to the hype. We started with cocktails while we waited for our friends to arrive. The bartenders were pleasant and accommodating. I had a gin fizz with frothy egg whites, my husband had a vodka tonic. After our friends arrived we were seated and decided to split 3 starters; heirloom tomato salad, chaat, and pork dumplings along with some pickled turnips ordered off menu offerings. I do not eat pork so I did not partake in the dumplings. I must say the chaat was the star of the apps for sure both meat and non maters gobbled it down. Sadly I only can provide blurred picks before we cleaned the apps from our plates. Dinner stepped it up a notch with my friend and I splitting the steamed drum with bok choy and fermented black beans. It was light yet rounded full flavored silky taste with the crisp crunchy texture of the lightly sautéd bok choy to finish. My husband had the pork chop which he completely devoured to the bone. Our other dinner companion had the crispy whole fish which was also excellent however I don't think I could go back and not order the steamed fish if it was still offered. We finished the evening with hot chocolate cake with fresh strawberry ice cream, and Yuzu pudding with fresh local blueberries, a nice finish to the evening. I can't finish the review without totally complementing the Staff. They were super accommodating unbelievably nice and made us all feel welcomed and comfortable. I must say it was super refreshing, for an award winning restaurant that is not easy to get weekend reservations to have unpretentious knowledgeable and friendly staff. I can't say how much it elevates the experience. I would defiantly recommend this as one of my top choices for the area. Thanks again for a wonderful evening out! read more

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What a neat place and I had a great meal here last Wednesday. The shrimp was tender and delicious with a decent portion size. You can tell this place is popular because it took us quite a while to get a seat since it as so dang busy. The asian fusion chef is a real master of his craft and the drink were very tasty as well. read more

Food was great but service .... Eh. I brought some friends here for dinner. Ambiance is great .. You have three levels of comfort. Formal(ish), bar, and nice outside seating. Each getting less formal. Due to lack of reservation we sat in the bar. While it was quiet a bit less formal it had a nice quality and energetic atmosphere.. Actually better suited for what we were looking for. Food was very good and prompt but after the food was delivered the service went down hill. It was markedly noticeable. Drinks went dry and dessert menus sat on the table waiting for the server to return. By the time she came back we had decided to pass on the desert and just order another round of drinks. We asked for a photo of the table and that was it. Didn't see her after that. The photo .. Forget about it. A quick "are you guys ok" would have been nice. But i had to get up and ask her for our check. Normal for Spain but not cool in the ol' US. Anyway, I realized that for our table of 6 gratuity was included at 20%. Now ill tip generously up to about 30% with good service but it was clear that the waitress knew her 20% had been made at our table. Honestly, at a $200+ table you'd expect better service but I couldn't make my voice heard through the tip. Maybe if gratuity was awarded based on performance and not guaranteed then we'd have had better service. read more

Of course it'd be our 5 year anniversary to finally make my first trip to Lantern after 4 years of living in Chapel Hill. Definitely worth the wait. Came in around 6:15 on a Monday without reservations and quickly seated. Would recommend making reservations if you plan to come around 7:30 because the place quickly filled. Mimi started by ordering the Junebug cocktail, which was quite the experience itself. Equal parts sweet, sour and floral. We next chose 3 different appetizers, the pork dumplings, salty shrimp and spicy pork wontons. If we stopped here, my rating might've come to 3 stars. The dumplings and wontons packed a good punch but at the end of the day, didn't blow me away compared to what I'd get at a regular chinese restaurant at a fraction of the cost. The shrimp were strange in that they were fried with the shell on, for an experience similar to soft shell crab, but the texture was kind of off-putting. So here is how we come to 5 stars.. Our two entrees may have been the best 2 entrees I have ever had. Easily the best in recent memory. I ordered the ribeye and Mimi had the miso glazed cod. We both agreed the cod was the best seafood dish either of us had tried. The ribeye was a beautiful rare and incredibly well-seasoned. And the sides with the ribeye nearly stole the show, with a delicious fried spinach and ridiculously flavorful roasted onions. I think I can still feel it on my taste buds 1 day later. For dessert, we shared a chocolate lava cake with ice cream, which had a perfectly executed ooey gooeyness. At the end of the day, any lingering "meh" feelings from the appetizer had washed away. Prices are essentially in line with all the high end restaurants. Expect to pay $30 for your entree, about $10 for appetizers and $9 for a dessert. Everything else, from service to ambiance, was perfectly fine and what you'd expect. Hopefully I'll return soon to order some more entrees and recreate that magic. read more

So popular, so busy, so meh. For almost $150 for a dinner for three, we experienced outstanding service and mediocre eats. The tomatoes on display were beautiful, but the tomato salad was mush. The rice was under-cooked. And we waited about 40 minutes for a dry dessert. (The waitstaff did apologize several times as we watched other dessert orders float by.) Here's to a reputation undeserved. read more

Lantern is a 20-year time machine: restaurant from the past, prices from the future. The interior and music are literally straight out the early 90s as is the lazy, checklist-fusion menu. The chef does not seem to have a firm understanding of the ingredients or concepts nominally employed. Take, for instance, the "bento" (Sake and tea-cured Cold Mountain red trout bento box with house pickled ginger and red cabbage, fresh wasabi, miso-mayonnaise, sticky rice and nori). In reality, this is an onigir/temakizushii assembly kit on par quality-wise with something from a convenience store in Japan. The trout was of higher quality but the other components were not. They also were served in quantities completely out of proportion: a mountain of red cabbage pickles next to half as much rice and a rosette of trout. The pickles in even small quantities overwhelmed the subtle fish.The miso in the mayonnaise was missing in action. Beef "sashimi" was a one-dimensional sesame carpaccio. Both steamed buns had dry, under-seasoned fillings without unctuous smoothness or umami punch. The other items were so non-descript I can't even recall them 2 weeks later. Prices are completely unjustifiable not just in terms of quality of produce (proper nouns not withstanding) and ambiance but in comparison to nearby restaurants. I ate here the night after eating at Magnolia and I had to do a double take when I saw that the prices were actually higher. Even at half the price, though, I would only bump up the rating a star. One caveat to keep in mind: because the prices for mains were so high, we opted for an assortment of appetizers to start, both specials and from the menu. Had they been better, we may have ordered mains, however, they were not and I saw no sense throwing good money after bad. There is the possibility that the mains are a quantum leap beyond the starters but I generally find the opposite to be true. Drink menu seemed nice although my Dark and Stormy came out in an opaque "bamboo"-designed tall glass that looked straight out of a 70s tiki bar. There was no problem with the service and the staff were reservedly friendly. read more

My husband and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Lantern last night. The atmosphere makes it feel like a special occasion, even if it isn't. Food-wise, there were some outstanding hits, and an equal number of misses. We started out with the pork & chive dumplings that so many have raved about, and a special--the mixed seafood salad with thai coconut dressing. The dumplings were good, but they won't haunt me in my dreams. I've had equally well executed dumplings at decent Chinese restaurants in the area. And, I cannot tell a lie...high quality frozen dumplings, properly prepared, might equal these. Next time, I'll pass on the dumplings. Lantern offers much more exciting options coming out of its kitchen. Like the seafood salad, for instance. A delectable mixture of fresh shrimp, crab and the *most* tender scallops I've ever encountered, tossed in a light coconut dressing, with a few micro greens, a little fresh tarragon (unexpected flavor surprise!) & slivered red pepper for accent. Pricey for a small appetizer at $15, but worth the cost nonetheless. Our entrees were the japanese pot on fire and another of the evening's specials: cherry-wood smoked miso-glazed black cod, black sticky rice with edamame, sauteed bok choi, braised shiitakes, and a sake-miso beurre blanc-like sauce. My husband thought his Japanese hot pot was "good for what it was"--a beef soup with cubed potatoes in a decent broth with some forgettable veggies (carrots, onions, etc). In spite of having assorted cuts of beef (sirloin, spare ribs, etc), it was kind of a bore flavor-wise. When I tasted it, I didn't think it tasted Asian in any way. For a $29 dollar bowl of soup, we were expecting a little more pizazz and creativity. Unfortunately for my husband, all the entree pizazz was on my plate. While my entree was very similar to one of the menu's mainstays (kind of defeats the purpose of a 'special', no?), it blew me away in the flavor department. The cod was buttery & smokey, with an amazing balance of bitter and sweet notes and a luscious texture. The rice was a little gummy, but had a nice sweet flavor to counter the fish. The bok choi was not flavorful in any way, but did offer a resting place for my palette amid all the flavors. The shiitakes were okay, but amazingly devoid of flavor. Surprising for a mushroom whose distinct flavor usually steals the show. Made me think that braising (or whatever they did) was not the right way to treat that ingredient. Then there was the sauce...dear god, that sauce....I wanted to swim in it, bathe in it, and then take a gallon of it home to drink later. Definitely pulled the whole dish together. For dessert, we rounded things out with the steamed persimmon pudding and the banana caramel sundae that many yelpers adore. My husband's persimmon pudding was delicious and tender, with notes of cardamom and orange peel. Truly more of a pudding than the steamed dessert I grew up eating, but a dessert that is fit for Autumn. My sundae was good, but lacked something it needed to make it a very memorable finish. The ice cream was good, the cream was soft and creamy, the peanut brittle was good but average, and the caramel was not in a sufficient quantity to be noticeable. A $9 dessert? Not really. The atmosphere is sexy & austere, with dim lighting fit for gazing across a table, neutral tones, and just a few spare lanterns as a decorative focal point. Service was great. Our server was a real pro, and we found him to be very friendly and attentive. When we've got the cash to spend, we'll definitely be back. And next time, I think we'll be able to make some better choices, and steer away from the types of dishes that aren't bound to knock our socks off. read more

This might just be my favorite restaurant in the Triangle. I had a superb birthday dinner here last year--everything was very good to excellent. And, the best part? My main course was the highlight of my meal, which I find to be rare--often I've found that (even at nice restaurants) the first courses and desserts outshine the entrees. Not so here. And the second best part? They make great cocktails--and there is even a "secret" cocktail lounge in the back. I'd actually been here for drinks several times before I made it here for a full dinner. Lantern is a fusion restaurant--mixing Asian and southern flavors/local ingredients--heavy on the Asian, although I did see a bit of an NC twist in there. The decor and ambiance fit the restaurant's theme really well. The interior is surprisingly small and intimate--makes for a great date spot. The tables are close together without being on top of each other (i.e., you'd have to strain a bit to easily hear your neighbor's conversation). We started out with an order of dumplings (pork and chive)--they were quite good, but didn't blow us away. I mean, it's hard to not like a steamed dumpling--or find a steamed dumpling to be out-of-this-world amazing. I ordered the lemongrass tofu for my main course (sad to see it's no longer on the menu, whereas a lot of the other menu items are still the same). Describing it won't do any justice--but the flavors were very delicate while still being bold when mixed together. The tofu and noodles were cooked perfectly. And, I had leftovers...and the restaurant isn't quite so nice that I felt awkward asking for a to-go box. For dessert, I had the hot chocolate cake, which is a menu staple, although the type of ice cream changes. At the time, it was something that I didn't like (maybe coconut? and they gladly swapped out a different ice cream for me when I asked). Both the cake--think an upscale, much more delicious version of a Chili's molten lava cake--and the ice cream were superb. Wow. Writing this review makes me want to go back in time and re-eat that dinner. It was that good. Finally a note and a disclaimer. Note: prices aren't on the menu, but entrees ranged from $18 or so for the vegetarian option to about $28. Disclaimer: the boyfriend wasn't as crazy about his entree (the seafood hotpot)--but he loved mine too! read more

Nothing like paying $65 for two plates of fish drowning in warm coconut milk. I say there's nothing like it because anyone else would get run out of town on the rail. This place is an absolute joke masquerading as high society. #RipOff #ConArtists Dump 45¢ of coconut milk heated in your microwave over some $5 halibut while saving yourself the trouble and $60 + tip. read more

My husband and I heard nothing but positive reviews about Lantern and we eagerly made a reservation for our non-traditional, day-in-advance Thanksgiving dinner. Our Chapel Hill friends told us that we were in for a treat and asked us to tell them about our experience afterwards. Needless to say, we had high expectations that, perhaps, made our inevitable disappointment greater. When we first entered the restaurant we were immediately overwhelmed by the smell of fish - not a savory smell, but a fish deli smell. It's a small restaurant that features a lot of fish, I rationalized, and maybe I shouldn't be surprised. But wouldn't a high-quality restaurant be concerned about ambient odors interfering with the taste of the food? My nose quickly acclimated, or maybe I became distracted by the next issue. The tables were so close together that....grrrr....the waiters' rear ends were in our faces as they served nearby patrons. The first time it happened my husband and I stared at each other in shock as the waiter's derriere hovered a few inches from his face. Granted, it was an awkward situation that, given our sense of humor, would usually become a funny story shared with friends for years to come. But after the fifth or sixth occurrence the story was poisoned. We now only recall our surprise and annoyance that this happened at a purportedly nice restaurant. Some restaurants are described as 'intimate' because they make people feel welcome and close. Setting the unwelcomed, posterior-proximity aside, Lantern was 'intimate' in the way that I didn't know where our conversation ended and the conversation of our nearest patron-neighbors began. We were so close it was almost like we were sitting at the same table. So much for our plan to explore the gratuitous details of our sex life over dinner...just kidding. But still, I didn't want to think about how other patrons would experience our conversation before saying anything. I'm also not a fan of restaurants that create a conversation arms race, where tables compete to hear each other. I think that contributed to how loud the restaurant was. Enough about ambiance; the food was decent. We shared the Duck & Crackling Spring Rolls and the Salt and Pepper Shrimp. The Spring Rolls were average. I am still contemplating the Salt and Pepper Shrimp. To experience the flavor you need to eat the shrimp shell-and-all. It may be that I'm unappreciative of an international cuisine style (which is a distinct possibility), but I felt like I was chewing a thin layer of plastic casing. I chewed each bite for a comically long time because I was afraid the shell would scratch my throat if I didn't grind it into a paste first. We also shared the Pork Hot Pot entrée. The broth was delicious, meaty with just the right amount of salt. Yet, there were no other flavors beyond the broth. The carrots? Tasted just like the broth. The meat? Tasted like the broth. The decorative, flavor-enhancing cilantro? Tasted like...you get the point. We were underwhelmed...and further disappointed due to how much we paid for our dinner. Our friends have convinced us to give Lantern a second try, so perhaps I'll be back with a revised review. I hope so. read more