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W 4th St (A, C, E, B, D, F, V)
Christopher St (1)
9th Street (PATH)
Mon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sunday thru Thursday 10% off for Yelpers (cash only). Lunch specials all week for only $12.50, come join us and see what the Yelp is about
This has been my spot ever since I was a teenager (and that was a long time ago).
In my opinion, Lanterna embodies what every cozy, comfy cafe should be like. It's my version of Central Perk. Dark, intimate, candlelight hazines makes it uber-romantic. Coffees, lattes, italian sodas, wines and teas on the menu. Cakes and pies, pizza and salads to choose from. I couldn't ask for more. I've been here countless times over the years, celebrated birthdays, first dates, reunions, and anniversaries here in big groups, small groups. This is an all occasion kind of place.
Such friendly, hassle-free service. Live music downstairs certain days of the week, outdoor seating with heated lamps during the colder months. Everything I'm in the mood for can be found right here.
My favorite thing here is their blueberry crumb pie, when they heat it back up right in the oven. It's ooey, gooey tangy blueberry center oozing out of the crunchy, sweet graham pie crust and crumbs on top. Their mushroom pizza is also a fulfilling option.
(Here is an example of what a review might look like if I was deathly hungover, and simply posted the notes taken on my iPhone. You know, just as a frame of reference.)
Sweet garden. Salad meh. Help helpful. Cheese plate: Taleggio delicious. Mozzarella milky. Fontina fontina; should have known better. Lasagna decent, but I've made much better. Would come back for drinks in the garden.
I have never been a real fan of Lanterna's food or service. The pizza is good, but not the best in NYC. The lasagna is smothered in cheese which may be great for some, but defies what I believe is the integrity of a good lasagna - which should be more balanced with noodles, sauce, and cheese. Their salads are good, but they are always out of my favorite (always) which makes me wonder why it's still on the menu and if they actually still serve it. The wine list is pretty good. I do like their selection of reds and bottles are affordable. Desert is generally good, but again, it's not the best in NYC. I do enjoy the atmosphere upstairs, but to date I've not had terribly good service. Something is usually forgotten, sometimes it's me, and though I am a very patient diner, my patience has been tried a couple of times in the past few months as my wine was not delivered, or my salad was forgotten, or my tap water was never refilled and my server turned up absent when we were ready for the check causing us to sit and wait with nothing on the table for nearly 10 minutes. When the check is also wrong, and it takes me standing at the computer with the server to sort it out, that's a bit troublesome too.
So... why DO I go there so much? Well, it's for the music. The Bar Next Door is a lovely little room and it is perfect for live music. I believe that regular jazz music fans who seek jazz from the usual places may be missing out on this little gem. They bring in local musicians, but most I have seen there have international careers and are extremely popular in other parts of the world. The cover is cheap and the drink minimum is as well. I am still not a fan of the service downstairs. My advice, be aware of your check - my last three have had extra cover charges or random drinks (a random gin and tonic when all I had was wine is pretty noticeable) on them because the server downstairs, though nice enough, is not very attentive.
The best show I have seen there (twice now) is a musician by the name of Doug Wamble. Though it is a "jazz" room, Doug brings so much more to the gig and rivets his audience. Another musician named Jaleel Shaw has also played there a lot lately, you can't miss the mark with him either. Check their website or call to see when Doug will be there again. I believe he starts his world tour for his new album in March, so you might get lucky to see him once or twice again before he heads out.
S~
Ok, maybe more like 3.5 stars.
This is a really solid desert place. I am told that the back is very romantic place to take a date. So definitely will try that sometime.
I love the mudd pie but the cheese case (pumpkin or something) was so so.
I think I will have to come back and try the back/patio, dinner, live jazz, and tiramisu. I will review visit my review at that time!
Til then Eat and Drink Well!
This rating is NOT based upon eating at this restaurant and is based solely on their reservations practices.
I called up for a LUNCH reservation a month or so ago and the person answering the phone indicated they would need a card to secure the reservation. I decided to opt out, but it struck me that the person may have been more familiar with the night time - I understand there is jazz and this would not seem as an unreasonable practice. And so, I decided to call back again some other time. I did so and was again informed that a credit card would be required to secure a noon reservation on a Thursday. Beyond that, I would have two hours before the reservation to cancel or, otherwise, my credit card would be charged $20 per person. Given the fairly affordable menu, I doubt $20/person would even be spent(?). Not wanting to risk an $80 bill if one of my friends tripped on the sidewalk or such, I opted out.
Maybe it's an interesting revenue generator in a down economy...sort of a "We're betting you won't make it!" type deal.
Perhaps they lock the door..."uh, nobody here but us chickens"
..."Hey, we made $80 for doing nothing! - TOUCHDOWN!!!"
It just strikes me as strange and unacceptable.
Too bad, as the back garden looks like a pretty nice place to have one of their panini or pizzas.
Well, I'm off to book my dinner reservation at Masa...perhaps they require a credit card too. ;-)
We stopped in here after an autumn day outdoors, for something to drink and snack on. It was a great call. Hot cider, hot chocolate and various coffee drinks were just what was needed to warm us up and keep us going for the evening. Just looking at the dessert selection, I couldn't pass it up. The zuppa inglese and caramel custard were both amazing. I will definitely have to go back to try the more substantial food options -- pizza, panini, calzones, etc.
Aside from the food, La Lanterna still sets the standard for an enjoyable dining experience. You have the choice of cozy indoor seating, hopefully close to the fireplace, or on the outdoor patio, seasonally open-air or glassed in. Overall, I'd call it a refined place, with a friendly staff and even polite clientele. But I don't feel you end up paying extra for the experience. Individual items on the menu are reasonably priced, but I'd imagine most people order a mix of things that add up to a teens-plus price range.
For a late night quiet dessert (try the tiramisu) and great coffee in the west village, you'll do no better than sitting in the back garden at La Lanterna.
Yes, there is Jazz downstairs. Yes, they have a full menu. And I'm sure they're both great, but I come here for one reason only and that's for the romantic, non-pompous, relaxing back garden and fantastic service.
I've never been there before 10pm, but I've also never had anything less than a fantastic experience.
I recently stumbled upon La Lanterna with my girlfriend by chance, and we've already been back since. The atmosphere is great: ambient but not-too-dark lighting, quiet and relaxed. Sit in the garden if you can. The staff is very friendly, they have the manners of a much more expensive restaurant. But the best part is the food.
The bruschetta is excellent. They have three different varieties and all are great. For the main course, they offer personal pizzas, lasagna, and paninis. The pesto lasagna is very good, but my favorite is the pizzas. They're the perfect size, perfectly thin, and they taste delicious. I had the salami pizza and it was fantastic.
To compliment the meal, they have a nice selection of coffee and tea. I haven't tried the dessert yet, but I hope to soon. Give La Lanterna a try, you won't be disappointed!
It started off right, but went downhill from there. The cheese platter appetizer was good. The bread was crisp though not too stiff, and though I normally think cheese platters smell like dirty socks, I actually enjoyed this cheese. I went with my buddy's recommendation to get one of the pizzas. It was mediocre. I think even DiGiorno bakes a better pizza from the freezer.
I shudder to even recall the pile of creamy dung this place called "tiramisu". It came out partially frozen as if it was in the freezer and the server just defrosted it, though not enough. The top layer was palatable but the bottom layer was coffee-flavored ice crystals. I tried to salvage the experience by eating just the top layer and letting the bottom layer thaw to room temperature, but that just made it so that I ended up eating cake that tasted like a watered-down frappucino.
I'd give this place 2 stars for the food, but an extra 0.5 star for the nice ambiance, and kick it up another 0.5 star for the inexpensive and really good wine. Just come here on a first date for the wine and cheese and you'll leave happy. Don't stay for the whole dinner. Guys who do dinner dates as first dates are putzes anyway.
Four of us had dinner on a weekday evening. The place was packed although you would not know it from the outside on Macdougal Street. We dined outside and had a variety of appetizers including the Pomodoro e Basilico and Pate con Cippolla plus three pizzas, salad and a bottle of Sangiovese.
The food was excellent as was the service. The outside garden dining area is very small and very dark. Good luck if you happen to drop anything under your table or chair. You will never find it without a flashlight. Service was prompt and pretty regular considering the number of people in the restaurant.
Oh wow, after reading the other reviews, I guess I totally missed out on the tiramisu, gelato, and secret jazz room!
Our friend said "Italian"... turns out it was a specific type: pizza and lasagnas. Don't go hoping for your other typical Italian dishes. The pizzas were great (I only tasted 2 of the 3, but the 2 were delicious). The lasagna was serviceable. The coffee was mud water.
The plus was the ambiance. I can see this as a wonderfully romantic place to go for a date. (Although, at some point, it is a bit too dark if one has to resort to using light from one's Blackberry to read the menu!)
This place is romantic as hell. Dim lit, fireplace, cushioned seats, live jazz, and delicious dessert. I can imagine many women growing an affinity for this place. I can also imagine many men taking said women here to grow an affinity for them as well.
They serve lunch and dinner but I've only had dessert. The gelati is pretty good (dulce de leche, frutti di bosco, banana walnut praline) and the Apple Caramel Crumb Pie is not bad, but the service is a bit lacking. Our waitress was inattentive and at times, seemed like she was avoiding our table altogether. She also failed to mention that a certain dessert that I had ordered that came with an alcohol topping, would cost extra when it very much seemed assumed that it would be included in the price. She eventually took the extra charge off the bill but not without going back and forth on it first.
The ambiance is great and the food is decent but I'm not sure if there is much else to love here. Also I don't know anything about the $10 cover that Florence Y. notes in her review. Maybe they randomly rip off people too.
Romantic and cozy. I really like their dessert here. Great tiramisu and flavorful gelato. Entrees were good too; I got the prociutto pizza and my bf got their pesto lasagna and both were yummy. The funny thing is there is a lady reading tarot card right next to us. IT is kind of eccentric.
Beautiful outdoor garden in the back btw for those seeking dining in the green.
I walked in with my 2 of my gfs and some old guy...probably the owner or manager starts singing "Bella" in my face...and I was thinking "the music's starting already??" I bypassed the dining area and said the secret codeword "live jazz" and the reply I got was "$10 cover". I nodded and was led down a short but steep flight of stairs in the basement on the left.
The basement area was very dark and had a strange electrical smell...which made me feel like i was in ancient Europe. By the light of the tea light, I ordered myself a tiramisu and the sparkling rose wine. The tiramisu was soft and sweet, and melted in my mouth! Definitely not like your regular tiramisu from any italian place. The jazz started to play in the jazz room...light summer tunes...made you feel like summer love in the city! :)
I cannot comment on the food but I definitely want to come back!! It's THE perfect place for a first date, there's a garden/patio in the back...very romantic!! Food, music and good company...all in one place! :)
Tip-bits:
Romantic dinner date in the garden and snuggling to jazz in the cosy basement after while sharing sweet desserts = perfect date
Watch your step going down, esp the ladies in heels!
I almost didn't want to write a review because I want this place all to myself but then I also want it to be known that this is my favorite restaurant.
I came here yesterday with my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary (one year since we met). It was a Sunday around 7:30pm. We had our pick of seats. It seemed kinda of stuffy inside and it was nice outside, if a bit chilly, so we sat outside on the furthest right corner. It was very nice. Loved the atmosphere, vibe and our seat. It was kinda of dark but very romantic. I thought, even more so than "If One by Land, Two by Sea".
For dinner, I had the Lasagna Al Pesto and bf had salmon pizza! Salmon on pizza! But it was greeeeeaaaat. We both agreed that it was the best pizza either of us had. Easily beating out Lombardis for me and easily beating out the Brooklyn hotspot pizza place by BK college for bf. Lasagna was the best lasagna I've had but I would definitely get the pizza next time!
Then we had the tiramisu. Of course we had the tiramisu! It was good. It was decadent. It was a small piece. I had it with a cappucino with amaretto. That is a quite a pair!
The service was good. I wished our waitress actually gave me a recommendation of a wine going with the lasagna al pesto though. I just order the first wine on the list, a riesling. And I didn't like it at all. That was the only downer...but the night was perfect inspite of!
Okay so I've been holding out on admitting that I'm addicted to this place. APPLE PIE ALAMODE! GREAT Jazz downstairs every night of the week. Cozy cavernous feel with beautiful fireplaces in the winter (there are 4 here) and a nice lofty interior garden that is superb on a rainy summer day.
You'll be comfortable dressed to the nines or sporting your favorite casual duds, and surely you won't break the bank.
Date Rating: 10
Pick up Scale: 2
Strong Suggestion: If you like jazz or pie come here. No crazy drink minimums for the show.
Intimate and Comfort are the two words I would go with for La Lanterna di Vittorio. The bitter cold winter being the most appealing time to go. With the fire place roaring, grab your hunny and go cozy up. I always enjoy a digestif here, along with a Giandui gelato.
The garden area is great for the Spring/Summer time as well.
I would definetly recommend this place if you want that romantic vibe feeling with a special someone. They have a large menu and a good wine/liquor list.
I have not tried the dinner menu yet, but looks very appealing.
Usually go here for the desserts/drinks, and to escape the coldness, when walking around that area of the city in the Winter time.
This place just makes me happy. It's warm and cozy with great coffee and pretty good food.
La Lanterna is one of those New York gems that transports you to a different era, to the Washington Square of Edith Wharton or Henry James. Cozy elegance is the best way to describe the ambiance, which is ideal for sipping coffee with frangelico in winter or enjoying a white wine in their summer garden. (Wow, I just reread this sentence and realize I sound like a brochure...they should pay me.)
I've never had a proper meal there, but they have lovely little crostini and pannini and I've been told their pizza is pretty good too. And the tiramisu takes me to my happy place.
A very crowded, dark, and relatively intimate (if you don't mind rubbing elbows with other couples) Italian restaurant; best for their desserts, although their meals aren't too expensive, either, we stopped in for wine & dessert. Multiple levels; a basement, outside backyard, and main small floor.
Cheesecakes were good, although they were out of the strawberry, so we tried the pumpkin (good, not too sweet) and the walnut? (too sweet). The gelati was okay, although very grainy (pistachio, chocolate/hazelnut, praline, banana walnut). The fruit tart was... tart. Not really special.
A nice touch... plenty of sweet dessert wines (I picked a small bottle - 375ml - of Muscato) for the group. Bellini wasn't bad, either. I don't know where they store all the wine (upstairs, maybe?) but they have quite the wine list, all ranges and styles.
Waitstaff definitely pushed ice cream on top of desserts. Not sure why.
If you like dark and crowded on a budget, this is for you. But too big a group, I recommend calling ahead with reservations, otherwise you'd be hard-pressed to find space.
My wife and I went here for my birthday a couple weeks ago and I was surprised to see that it was PACKED, even on a random (random to most people anyways) Monday night. Despite this and the fact that we didn't have a reservation, they accommodated us right away and got us a table.
The service was above average and the food was great. We ordered a bottle of wine, a bruschetta appetizer, split a pizza, and got two deserts. The appetizer and the pizza were good, but the deserts were by far the best. My wife got the Chocolate Mudd Cake and I got the apple pie with ice cream on the side. Both were absolutely amazing.
The ambiance was very romantic and had an upscale feeling, but at the same time was not "fancy" or pretentious. It was exactly what we were looking for.
The reasons I am not giving it 5 stars are: 1) the lighting in the restaurant was very very dim and the candles they had on the table were not strong enough to help us read the menu. I had to get out my phone and use the screen light to look over the menu. I understand that the atmosphere and ambiance is important, but it would help if the candles either gave off more light or they provided a small pen light to help you look through the menu. 2) The small candle on the table kept going out. When it did, I could almost not see my food. To their credit, the staff did relight the candle, but I'm sure it is annoying for them and for diners to have to have them do this multiple times during dinner (3 relights for us). 3) They didn't have the first bottle of wine that I picked out and so I had to go with a backup. These things happen of course, but they still impact your experience.
Overall though, I would definitely recommend and definitely go back.
Food: Delicious! We ordered lasagna and pizza and both were divine. Loads of cheese and sauce. No drinks, but the wine menu is a giant of a book.
Service: Excellent! Polite, attentive, and friendly waitress with a mysterious but attractive accent.
Ambience: THIS IS WHY YOU COME! We sat in the "garden" which isn't actually outside, but still divine. It's COZY, romantic, minimally lit, and just beautifully decorated. It's a little squished, but you'll hardly even notice. Everything else is that wonderful.
Five Stars for the Tiramisu! Now La Lanterna di Vittorio makes a Tiramisu the way it should be made. It melts in your mouth (you really don't need teeth for this dessert). It's sweet but not too sweet, and the alcohol taste is just right, not overpowering like other places. The very thin bottom layer of the cake is soaked in alcohol. The light cream in the cake and the espresso powder (and some cocoa powder) at the top of the cake complements so well with it.
Now many bakeries or cafes make their Tiramisu very cakey, in a way that there are a couple of sponge layers across the cake unlike La Lanterna. But I truly do like the way La Lanterna makes their Tiramisu because they know how to balance their elements out so that it's not too cakey, or mostly you taste is just cream. A slice of this deliciousness is $5.99. A great bonus is that you can buy the whole cake!
In addition the fruit tart is pretty good too. The crust is semi-hard like the way it should be. It totally does not have that frozen flavor when you bite into something hard. There's a bit of a custard in the shell, where the fruit is sitting on. I'm really glad that the various fruits were fresh and sweet. I terribly hate eating sour fruits when it's meant to be sweet especially if I'm paying money for it.
Now for the setting. On the outside, it looks almost like it is a regular tenants building. From the inside, you see the winter garden in the back though. The winter garden is nicely warmed, so you won't get chilly or have any mist floating around the room. There are clear glass windows, so you see the sky above, and the green plants and vines outside. I'm very happy that I do not see the streets and people walking around, because I want to feel like I escaped from whatever is going on outside of NYC (in general) to have a comfortable and casual meal here. This is exactly how I felt when I came in.
There is also a floor downstairs to dine in. I recommend couples to go downstairs for dinner because it's such a great ambiance down there. The only thing providing any sort of light are the candles on the tables. It is a great place to have a nice intimate conversation with you and your partner.
The service was very good. If you were to order entrees, drinks, and desserts per person, your bill will come out to be at least in the $20s. Please check out the website for the place provided.
Unfortunately, I haven't had enough regular entrees there to really rate the food.
I went here for lunch today. It's an interesting place because I don't think I ever noticed it before, even though I have spent years at NYU. There are several seating options including a garden area. It was very comfortable, casual, and proved to be a great place to unwind over a lazy lunch.
I opted for the lasagna bolognese and a limonata to drink. The lasagna was surprisingly very good and delicious! Flat noodles like in Italy with a decadent bechamel sauce, ground beef, and a wonderful tomato sauce. This may very well be the best lasagna in the city. I had to laugh at one reviewer though for complaining that the lasagna is reheated here. If I waited for them to roll the noodles, make the bechamel, make the sauce, prepare the ground beef, and put it in the oven, why my lunch would have been a late dinner!
Seriously though, wonderful find -- highly recommend!
Holy Crap, why in the world didn't anyone tell me about this little gem sooner???
Um, kind of amazing little underground-ish, sexy, garden-y, jazzy, cavern-y, simply lovely cove of sensuality and sweetness. I was shocked when I walked in the door with my date-- "Damn!," I thought. "Good job, Date."
Needless to say, this place is totally my speed. We had desserts and white wine. He had the pinot grigio and I had something more semantically fun that started with an "S." It's not listed on the online menu, so you'll have to figure it out when you go cuz I can't remember. Our waiter recommeded it. I liked it.
However, I would have rather tried the blueberry wine. --Blueberry Wine!!! I was jumping up and down in my seat at the idea of a cold white wine with a hint of blueberry. But it was $10.50. ....one of the more expensive options. And being that I was on a date, I went for the more recessionally chic option that started with an "S." .......::sigh.:: (shouldn't he have said, "You should totally go for the blueberry wine! You sounded so excited when you spotted it on the menu!") .......(Bad job, Date.)
Anyway, he had hot apple pie a la mode and I had the mixed berry tart (they were out of my first two options (Mille Foglie and Chantilly Cream with fresh fruit), but that obviously did not affect my review). Tart was good. He seemed to like his pie, but didn't offer me a bite :( (Bad job again, Date.)
We sat in the garden-y area in the back which was simply delightful and fun. There was even a glowing little waterfall-y statuesque thing next to us that added to the ambiance.
Downstairs you'll find lovely bathrooms and a secret jazzy cubby hole of a room. I'd be inclined to wear a fedora and order an old-fashioned or a dirty martini down there the next time I go back. ....which, obviously, will be very soon. (but probably sans Date.)
The outdoor gazebo type garden area is gorgeous and romantic at night! Perfect for a date spot... unless you are prone to getting mauled by mosquitoes like I am.
It was like a scene right out of When Animals Attack VII. I think I got bitten 5 times during my time there but still managed to enjoy my salad with perfectly cooked pieces of duck ,and pizza with spicy garlic and gorgonzola. In between my scratching, I also managed to polish off three glasses of wine, which helped dull the itch considerably! ;)
So bring some OFF if you're a mosquito magnet like me, but enjoy the atmosphere, good food and great wine!
My friends and I stopped by for coffee and dessert this past weekend, so I can only speak about this and the ambiance. Oh my goodness... This is a perfect date place!! Walking in you would never imagine such a charming, dimly lit and cozy atmosphere inside. The winter garden / back patio area is particularly great and very romantic. The coffee is strong but just average; the deserts (four of us tried two -- the tiramisu and it's closely related cousin whose name I can't remember) were very tasty and totally hit the sweet spot. The tiramisu was the oldie-but-goodie and was definitely the more pleasing of the two cousins.
Now, if I were to return, I think the absolutely perfect date night would start upstairs for dinner and some sweets, and then would move downstairs for a jazzy ending. Signs outside say that it's $10/person cover with 1 drink minimum.
... this seems like such a cozy hidden gem! I loved it. I'll definitely be back!
What a delightful place! I was taken here on a very special night in part, because of the high Yelp reviews, ambiance, and live jazz. NYC is filled with hidden gems and this is definitely one of them. I highly recommend sitting outside in the back - there are tall trees with artsy lampshades on top which really set a cozy, intimate feel. The cheese plates and pizza are delicious! Not a huge fan of the lasagna. Definitely end with the tiramisu and cappuccino. Joe, the owner, has a heart of gold and sent us two "Italian Kisses" - another great (alcoholic) way to end the meal!
Dessert and Cafe, a mix of things.
After a big dinner one night, we had opted for dessert and had come here because our friends said it was a good spot to have some. I must admit, it was an interesting place, very unique and different from other spots you might go to for some coffee, drinks and sweets.
We all ordered various types of desserts and tea. Me being full as I was, opted for a slice of cheesecake. The cheesecake wasn't really anything to rave about. It was comparable to most cheesecakes I've had, nothing 'wow'. I also had a taste of the fruit tart, which was good, but I'm not a tart fan.
The main attraction to this place is more the atmosphere. The live music and just the dark romantic setting during the nighttime. I can say if they seat you in the lower level like where I sat, it is nice an dark. You might need to supply yourself with cell phone illumination to read your menu. And from there, might I say their menu is quite plentiful with various types of desserts and drinks. You might need some time to decide what you want.
It's a good place to take your date after a good meal. But if you are afraid of the dark, don't let them seat you downstairs, hahaha.
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for cute, cozy restaurants with dim lighting. There's just something about flickering candlelights that makes a place just seem so much more inviting!
We came here after reading the glowing reviews on this page. I was not disappointed. I ordered the Quattro Cheese Lasagna while Chris had a turkey panini. We ended up switching because he liked my entree more and vice versa.
This place is perfect for those nights when you just want to have a quiet, non-pretentious dinner date with a friend or a special someone. Great place to unwind. If it was in LA, I'd definitely be a frequent visitor!
I have been wanting to go to La Lanterna for a couple years now but denied myself - as I always thought it to be an uber-romantic spot. I am quite certain it could be, but I am here to tell you it is also a great spot to go and have a few great drinks and amazing snacks with friends. (The excellent conversation will be supplied by you;)
First off, my friend bought a bottle of riesling that was just perfect - sweet, crisp, and drinkable. I, however, was in the mood for a full-bodied red, preferably spicy, and the waiter suggested the most amazing wine by the glass - a wine from Chile - and I fell in love with it!
We ordered a mescalin salad that came with a bit more oily dressing than I'd like, but also topped with the thinnest, tastiest parmesan and cracked pepper - and it was such a delectable combination, that we swiftly ate it up. It was also served with rustic bread. Yum!
We ordered also the Pomodoro e Basilico - your typical bruschetta just larger - and again, perfectly done. Ample amounts of tomato, excellently seasoned. Finally, we devoured our cheese plate of Parmigiano
(my friend's fave), Fontina (which I have never had but now love - so supple and subtle), and of course my choice - the Mousse Pate: "Goose liver mousse seasoned with french sauterne wine" - all came with crispy, seasoned thin chips of bread that were delicious in their own right.
The gelato was...well. gelato. And the coffee was rich enough ;)
Regarding the decor? We sat in the very back next to a fountain, and it was certainly quiet enough to converse, but I want to check out the rest of the space (and food) upon my (hopefully soon) next visit.
I can't wait to take my sister and cousin here :)
Viva La Lanterna!
Like Jazz. Check.
Like cozy intimate dimly lit restaurants. Check.
Like very good pizza. Check.
Like Italian desserts. CHECK!
Like La Lanterna Di Vittorio. Check.
Let's keep this place a secret please...
Awesome desserts and quaint atmosphere - meaning, not the IT place right now with $12 glass bottled waters.
Three Words: Rose. Petal. Gelati. YUM-O.
Yes, I do realize I just said the best ice cream I've had is florally flavored, but seriously, it was so delicious! I never knew a "flower" can taste so good and refreshing! I am contemplating of getting out of my Sunday night jammies right now just to go there for it.....
Fantastic ambience, good service, great dessert & wine. I never thought bread pudding could be delicious but I owe that in part to my astute and foxy dessert companion.
The front door looks shabby, but there is a very nice garden area at the back! special transparent ceiling, you can enjoy the sunshine without being directly exposed to it. Overall enviornment is cozy, romantic, and peaceful. The waiters are friendly though not very efficient.
The pizza is what my friends call best of all. $12 for four small pieces. The vegetable soup tasts nice. But a bit expensive, $64 for three of us.
Had dinner here in the garden area behind the main entrance - so cute.
Ordered the pesto lasagna - delicious, a calzone - good, the bruschetta - juicy tomatoes, and the tomato+mozzarella appetizer - good.
great plus - half bottles!!!!
plus - there's a tarot card reader who'll do 15 min for $25. not bad.
I wish the ceiling were open but alas... u can't have it all. also... there's apparently a jazz room downstairs which I didn't have time to see. awesome.
One of the things that bugs me about Manhattan is that there aren't that many places where one can can kick back and relax and not worry about the waiters giving you the evil eye (because you stayed too long) or about having to order entrees. I mean, if you just wanted to go for dessert (sitting down), your choices dwindles down pretty quickly. Although in this economy, I have gotten positive response to 'can we just get desserts?', more so than before. But sometimes I get directed to the bar or get a flat out 'no', which can put a damper on your night out.
La Lanterna is a place where you can just come in (most of the time anyway. At least I haven't had to wait more than a few minutes) and enjoy a cup of coffee, slice of cake or a glass of wine sitting down in front of an actual table. It doesn't sound like much but in Manhattan, it is a big plus.
On top of that, it is pretty romantic place with dim lighting and cozy atmosphere. It also has a small outdoor area which you would have to wait a bit get a table during the warm months. During the winter, there is also a fire place (can't remember if it was a real one or not), which adds to the coziness.
I haven't really tried any food here. My experience is mostly limited to dessert (offers a wide variety and never had a sub par dessert so far) and wine (they do offer many choices in the reasonable price range).
More of a place to go to relax or after dinner when you don't want to go to a bar.
An absolutely perfect date place for a cold below-zero Saturday night. Despite being skeptical realizing that it's on MacDougal, I was completely surprised by the dimly lit and cozy atmosphere inside. We sat in the "Winter Garden" in the back, which is a glass-enclosed outdoor area with lighted tree branches and outdoor patio seating.
Typical Italian offerings with a good wine menu and sizable portions. I thought my individual pizza was huge, but my date's Calzone was basically the size of his head. He devoured it and commented that this might have been the best Calzone he's ever had.
4 stars for the restaurant.
5th star goes to downstairs for ending the night perfectly...
In the basement is an even cozier area that plays jazz on the weekends - dark wood panels with exposed stone walls, with a well-stocked bar. The space is tiny, fits around 15-20 people, and the musicians play right in front of everyone. Don't expect to have a conversation though, since the music is loud. There's also a $10/person cover with 1 drink minimum, but the experience is so worth it.
If I can think of a better date spot, I'll let you know.
Go downstairs to their "Bar Next Door"
The Bar Next Door is a great cozy place to enjoy some jazz music. They have 2 sets every night, which you have to pay 10$ for. I'm a little unsure of what their policy is, but the first 2 times I was here, I came alone and sat at the bar, without feeling out of place. I stayed for both sets and was only charged one cover. The 3rd time I was here, i sat at a table with 2 of my friends. after the first set was over, the waiter stopped by to let us know that they charge an additional cover if we decide to stay for the 2nd set. We did end up staying for a tiny portion of the 2nd set, but was not charged for it. Pretty odd.
This is a great place to bring a date you have no interest in having a conversation with. (The music is far too loud.) As for the food... it's not the best italian out there, but they have a pretty extensive menu of pizza, pastas, wine, and desserts.
One of the most romantic--yet affordable--place for dinner and drinks in the city. Step into this resaturant, and you'll never know you're in New York. The restaurant has a large indoor garden seating area that is open year-round. The pizzas, salads, and martinis are amazing. Their drink menu is extensive and they have a great, afforable wine selection. They also have amazing desserts. This place is so cozy and the staff is incredibly friendly, warm, and personable. My boyfriend and I come here so frequently that they know us when we walk through the door.
Fabulous Brunch now served…
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Lunch or Dinner & a movie $28
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Jazz & Blues
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