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Lantern
Categories: Restaurants Asian Fusion Nightlife Bars Asian Fusion, Bars [Edit]
423 W Franklin StChapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-8846
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Trendy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
107 reviews for Lantern
Review Highlights
"...smoked chicken with pork and shrimp fried rice and braised..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Banana ice cream with salt, caramel and roasted peanuts."
(in 3 reviews)
"...cream, Peter got the hot chocolate cake with hazelnut ice..."
(in 3 reviews)
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107 reviews in English
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Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
1/17/2012
Phenomenal. Could be our favorite restaurant in the area.
Korean fried chicken at the back bar. Just do it. Get there early before it sells out. -
Review from James M.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/25/2012
Really dig the bar at this place, the lights and dark curtains make me feel like I'm in Greenwich Village. You can also eat at the bar and just hang. Bartenders know how to make a solid cocktail, also a good place to grab a quick drink before going somewhere else. Food is very creative, fresh and tasty Asian fusion, modern. I believe it was once listed in Gourmet magazine as a top 100 restaurant in the US or something. Serving sizes are on the small side, bit pricey but quality.
A good place to take friends from out of town for a treat. -
Review from Ha N.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/4/2012
I think of the Lantern restaurant and the Lantern bar as two separate entities. While, I've never really had the restaurant experience, I've had the bar + food experience, and I give the latter an easy 5 stars. For me, the food does get a little too pricey, though some dishes have been well worth it. For example, the Smoked Salmon Bento Box was a great drinking food for my girlfriend and I on several occasions. Then, there was the Thai crab cakes, which were well-seasoned and accompanied with a great sambal-based sauce and a well-pickled carrot and daikon salad. The okra appetizer was good, but not really something I'd get again, and the dumplings that I had there were nowhere near as good as the ones that I have at home. The ones I had that night were a little overcooked--the pork a little bland and the skin a little too thin and nearing the point of falling apart. I'm not sure if this is a regular thing, but I like my dumpling meat a certain way, and having made my dumplings from scratch at home with a hand-ground combination of meats makes me a lot pickier about texture.
The drinks, however, blows the other bars here (maybe except the crunkleton, which I've never tried but heard good things about) out of the park. The bartenders that I've encountered, Wes and Sarah, have been amazing at recommending drinks as well as making original drinks tailored to my taste. They are both knowledgeable, but Wes is especially helpful for those who are interested in recreating drinks. A favorite of mind as been the Cunning Kimono, and he was happy to discuss the drink in detail. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves their cocktails strong and well-made with fresh ingredients (lime, lemon, mint, etc..) instead of nasty sour mix. -
Review from Pat F.
Chapel Hill, NC
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
If money is no object, and you're required to eat in Chapel Hill, this place would be tied with La Residence, in my opinion. If you're in the mood for "Asian fusion," though, this is the only game in town.
Came here the night before Thanksgiving with DH--we had received a $100 gift certificate to Lantern as a wedding present. (Really nice idea for a gift!) Even so, we ended up spending about $10, and we didn't have drinks or dessert.
I started with the crab and pork spring rolls, and DH got the chaat (chickpeas and potatoes), both of which were outstanding. Our entrees were the smoked chicken with pork and shrimp fried rice and braised local greens, and the coconut braised pork with shallots, spicy green papaya salad, and jasmine rice. Again, both entrees were interesting, presented well, and very tasty. Portions were just right--not too big, not too small. We were pleasantly full.
The service was slow, but friendly and professional when it came around. It wasn't particularly busy when we arrived, but it was full by the time we left. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The environment is very NYC--low lighting, closely placed tables, industrial decor. It wasn't as noisy as it could have been, which I appreciated.
The only reason I don't give Lantern 5 stars is because of the slow service and relatively high prices. (It also helps tremendously if you like fish.) La Res gives them a run for the money in Chapel Hill, but for me, the place to beat for fine dining is still Magnolia Grill over in Durham. -
Review from H h.
Chapel Hill, NC
12/26/2011
I recently ate here with my family and none of us were terribly impressed despite the numerous positive reviews for Lantern.
The service was adequate. We had a server named Homick, who was polite even though I questioned the restaurant's choice of using industrialized nori. I'm Asian and have Korean friends that make homemade nori and the texture and taste is completely different in comparison to what they order in bulk.
The food however is debatable as far as quality and freshness. I was surprised when I tasted the shrimp and pork fried rice seeing that it resembled Uncle Ben's instant rice because it was watery and soggy. The rest food was just all right. I suppose its not right to expect the food to meet Asian standards seeing that there were hardly any Asian customers.
The presentation was pretty decent consider that Lantern is considered one of the top 50 gourmet restaurants in the entire nation.
I wouldn't recommend this place to a friend unless I knew my friend had low standards. -
Review from Chris D.
Boston, MA
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lantern has a genius somewhere in the kitchen.
It's a small place. The bar was closed the night that I was there, so I sat in the somewhat boxy and bland restaurant area.
I started with the assortment of local pickles. Tiny beets, parsnips, and turnips lightly pickled and artfully presented. I followed that with a broiled fish presented atop noodles and lightly steamed greens with a fermented bean broth.
Everyone around me had something different and brilliant on their plates. Everyone seemed enthralled with their food. Finally, the restaurant staff *enabled* a great dinner - picking the right moment to offer more wine, a look at desserts, and so on.
Pricy, and totally worth it. -
Review from Debbie H.
Carrboro, NC
12/27/2011
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. -
Review from Sean W.
Aiea, HI
1/31/2012 1 photo
I absolutely love this restaurant! I was visiting North Carolina for work and had to stop by Chapel Hill to eat at Lantern after seeing it on Unique Eats. I've eaten a lot of Asian food in my life... after all, I am Asian, so I can be a big critic when it comes to Asian cuisine. The ingredients at this restaurant were not typical Chinese ingredients, but it felt very Chinese in the preparation and taste. The presentation was very nice as well... I'm so used to Chinese food being served on a huge dish that is to be shared family style. The flavors are very original and unique at this restaurant... I really enjoyed the special that night... deep fried puffer fish. It was so tender and very flavorful. That preparation really brought out the best in that fish. I also had the Tea Spiced Smoked Chicken... it was so moist (it's very easy to dry out that chicken) and such a nice taste from the tea spices. The sauces and spices on the side were a nice way to enjoy the chicken in a couple of different ways. I love this restaurant so much and would recommend it to anyone visiting NC.
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Review from K B.
Berkeley, CA
11/20/2011
I think I would give it somewhere between 3-4 throughout the night. When I heard the appetizer special, beef sashimi with uni sauce, I was pretty excited, but then pretty significantly underwhelmed after it came. The presentation was pretty, but the taste was no where near where I was expecting. The beef was ultra chewy because it wasn't selected for non-tendon cuts. However, the dinner entre was much more satisfying. I got the chicken in XO sauce, which had a pretty full taste, came with fried rice and greens. All pretty good. However, I'm not sure how hard it is to screw up dark chicken meat.
The ambiance was nice, waiter was nice, ultra pricey for Asian food, but I guess when you slap "fusion" on it, that's what you get. -
Review from Perry H.
10/24/2011
Hands down the best fine dining in the area. Each time I visit I can't believe I don't frequent Lantern more often, I don't mean once a week or month, but hey, at least twice a year. It's been far too long since I dined here but I'm happy to report nothing has changed. Still a focus on Asian flavors with a Southern/North Carolina flair. All the ingredients are locally sourced and you'll find a wonderful, ever-changing seasonal menu.
I love the atmosphere as well, its a small space but they utilize it well and their sound traps keep the noise at a low level. It's very dimly lit which brings the normal, "can I get a flash light with my water" comment.
Definitely get reservations in advance. We had a 6:30 reservation over the weekend and saw people getting turned away constantly. That said, some reappeared for a later seating, so they will probably be able to work you in. If you're visiting the area, celebrating a special occasion, or simply want a great dining experience definitely check out Lantern. Also, stop by their bar behind the restaurant for some more great atmosphere and late night bevs. -
Review from Alex H.
Chapel Hill, NC
9/28/2011
I don't understand why everyone loves Lantern. It's just OK by me. The atmosphere is meh but I like the back bar-room. I enjoy going to Lantern for drinks but even those are way overpriced. I went to Lantern for my birthday dinner with my girlfriends. I had to search for items I wanted to eat. And the portions are very small. I must say, they have a tomato salad that was simply delicious. Although it's never been on the menu the other times I've been back.
The menu is about 70% fish. Not seafood (like shrimps, scallops, mussels, crab) but actual fish. I don't like fish so that may be why I don't see the appeal of Lantern. Basically, for the money, I think there are much better places to dine. Just head across the street to Elaines or down the street to La Residence or Kitchen. -
Review from Harry P.
Chapel Hill, NC
6/12/2011
One of my favorite places to eat in Chapel Hill when money is no object.
Their drinks are really great and I don't do a lot of mixed drinks. I had a gin based drink and it was solid.
It's a place I'd take someone if I wanted to make a good impression or just have a fantastic meal. -
Review from Sean G.
Raleigh, NC
12/5/2011
Showed up with no reservation and told we would be seated in 10-15 minutes. 45 minutes later we finally get our seat and the host comp'd our apps, great move. We got to spend some time at the bar which is a cozy spot with very interesting drink list. We split the ahi bento box and pot stickers for apps, great stuff! Our main course was pretty good too, would definitely repeat.
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Review from Ash T.
Boston, MA
7/29/2011
Locally sourced organic produce and meat. Seasonal as well, so the menu keeps changing
PROS: The back room where the bar is located is the place to sit...dark, with a red backdrop and lanterns mischievously dangling from the ceiling. If you're bringing a date, ask for a table in the back room
The cocktails are amazing. Very limited beer selection, but the ambiance, food and drinks are well worth it. Vietnamese Style summer rolls are great to munch on with drinks. The Japanese steakhouse-style seared rare flat iron steak with crispy spinach, ponzu sauce, warm green tea sushi rice and sea salt is the Bomb!!! The spinach is fried and crispy and salty and one keeps forking more and more into the mouth.
For dessert, nothing speaks satisfaction like the Hot chocolate cake with Thai coffee ice cream. Seals the deal.
The quantity and taste is just right.
CONS: Service is slow -
Review from Leela S.
Chapel Hill, NC
4/2/2011
We loved, loved, loved our dinner at Lantern last night. We had the world's most-knowledgeable-without-being-annoying-or-prete ntious waitress. All of her recommendations were right on, even the random wine varietal she suggested we try in place of a gruner veltliner (godello? who knew?). She alone was worthy of five stars.
We had such a hard time choosing appetizers that we ended up ordering five of them between four diners, and a good thing too - the fifth one, the curried carrot soup special, was probably my favorite bite of the night. Which is saying something, because everything was good.
Aside from that, I had the black mushroom and cabbage dumplings served with a yummy dipping sauce; and the tea-smoked chicken with braised greens, pork and shrimp fried rice, and XO sauce. The sauce sounded weird - cognac, ham, chiles, dried scallop and shrimp - but was actually wonderful.
We didn't have reservations AND it was primetime on a Friday, but we had to wait only 20 minutes in the fun upstairs bar before a table opened up. Fabulous evening out! -
Review from Jesse P.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/4/2011
I have been to the lantern several times, I have only experienced unsatisfactory service one time but other than that they have been great.
The food is obviously famous for its fresh and organic ingredients, great menu that constantly changes and drinks are high priced but very flavorful.
A place perfect for dates, especially the hidden back bar. -
Review from Jacob C.
Chapel Hill, NC
2/21/2011
This place gets two big thumbs WAY up. I went there with my family recently to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We've lived in Chapel Hill over 20 years but had not yet had a chance to visit Lantern.
After looking at the menu, and reading its reviews from fellow Yelpers, I was really excited to eat here and let me tell you, Lantern did not disappoint.
Very cozy atmosphere, although I didn't find it overly crowded or damaging to my overall dining experience. Thanks to suggestions from previous posts we got four different appetizers and split them all up family style. Crab cakes (the nightly special, heavenly), Korean fried chicken (think fried Chicken's flavor-filled, high class Asian cousin), Pork and chive dumplings and spicy beets.
For my entree I got the duck soup which was delicious. Great broth, not too overpowering, cabbage, other veggies, big hunks of mushroom and a crispy on the outside-tender on the inside duck leg. Awesome.
At this point I found myself thinking, "There is no way this can get any better." The dessert menu quickly put that assumption to shame. Let me make a shameless plug for the banana ice cream, with homemade whip cream and NC peanut brittle. Oh yeah, it's as good as it sounds.
The Rundown: Lots of amazing flavors from start to finish. An incredible culinary experience. Prepare to drop some serious $ but it is a worthwhile splurge. -
Review from amanda h.
Carrboro, NC
2/9/2011
UM, YUM. I first went to Lantern to celebrate getting hired at my new job and it takes the cake as my new favorite restaurant in town. I was skeptical to go because I assumed it wasn't worth the hype but I guess sometimes things really are as good as people say they are. I've been back twice now.
Addicted. For. Sure.
My advice:
1. don't worry about the prices. it's worth it.
2. try the specials--they know what they're doing!
3. order a bunch of appetizers and eat them family style
4. get a cocktail (or many) specifically the cucumber and gin one
5. get ready to see the most attractive male wait staff i've seen in a while. -
Review from Liwei Y.
9/21/2011
I love the cocktails here. I would come here for drinks and appetizers at night. The ingredients they use in their food also tastes fresh. I got fish here once, and it had all the bones in it, so if you don't like the hassle of eating through a bunch of fish bones, might want to stay away from fish. I personally didn't mind it. This is definitely one of my favorite places to go to in chapel hill!
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Review from Mike K.
9/25/2010
Good, if expensive, upscale food in Chapel Hill.
I went with friends on a recent visit to Chapel Hill, and we had a pleasant meal. The breakdown of the dishes at our table:
Pink Trout Bento Box - this was a really good dish, and in the end, I wish I had gotten it as my appetizer. The trout went well on their nori strips with all the other condiments on the box, which included a type of cabbage slaw.
The flatiron steak with miso/marrow dressing - this was the weakest dish in my opinion. The cut was not the best, and the steak turned out more chewy than tender. On top of that, the miso/marrow preparation on top was very salty and overpowering, to such an extent that it really clashed with the meat. The dish had a couple neat features, like the duck-fat fried potatoes and the roasted garlic, but it also had a bunch of sauteed uncut scallions, with which I couldn't really do anything. overall, this dish looked great on paper, but didn't come through at all.
Chinese 7-spice scallop sashimi - this was a very interesting dish. The spice combo was well done, and complimented the scallops, which were served sliced thin and under some greens. They had a buttery texture that I suppose you could attribute partially to the spice mixture, which was contained in an oil-based dressing. it's not a dish I really think I'll be pining for in the future but it was interesting.
Potstickers - these were chicken based and quite tasty, but they weren't better than the mandoo I got all the time at the Korean restaurants near where I grew up, and those were/are far cheaper.
Chaat - This was a "play" or twist on the indian dish. It was tasty, but again, not any more tasty than you would get at a good indian restaurant. I would have preferred a plate of chaat at Woodlands in Charlotte or at any one of dozens of joints in Chicago.
As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is gorgeous. It's really a special place in that respect. I was especially impressed by the back room, which has a bar and a few tables for dining. The back room has a speakeasy feel to it, and I would go back for a beer any time.
Anyway, bottom line on the place foodwise was that they put out some good dishes (and the rest of the dishes on the menu might very well have been the real standouts), but for the money, I didn't think it was really special. -
Review from John E.
Richmond, VA
5/15/2011
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. -
Review from Emily S.
Carrboro, NC
9/15/2010
Hands down, this was the best meal I've ever had.
I've been wanting to eat here since before I moved to NC. When I decided to move here and started researching the area, this place came up and has been on my list of places to try for the past 2 and a half years. It's a special occasion only place, but fiance and I decided to finally celebrate our engagement and went here for dinner.
The atmosphere is nice, service was friendly, if slightly over-attentive, but I'd prefer that to bad service any day. The atmosphere was somehow relaxed and romantic at the same time. I love the decor.
We had the okra and a scallop sashimi dish for appetizers. For entrees, I ordered the special Korean Fried Chicken with potato salad, Peter got the pork lettuce wraps. Dessert, I got the figs with creme fraiche ice cream, Peter got the hot chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream. Finally, for drinks I got the Late Blossom and he got the Dark and Stormy. With the exception of my cocktail, I've order everything again. The fried chicken was especially delicious. I'm notoriously picky about chicken, I do pretty much boneless skinless breasts. I ate this off the bone, no problem. No weird bits, nothing gross, just amazingly tender and flavorful meat. The batter and spice were divine.I'll have dreams about this chicken. My cocktail was good enough, but nothing about it stood out to me. It was mildly sweet. I couldn't even say it tasted like anything in particular.
I'll be back and as soon as possible too. Maybe for my birthday in November... -
Review from Monica M.
9/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Walking in, I was actually quite surprised at the small size of this restaurant! First impression was that it was very intimate yet had that modern feel that I love.
We walked in and were seated immediately in the corner - which to me, was the perfect place as it gave the opportunity to people watch and get a full look at the room around me (as well as operations).
The wait staff was very courteous, and made it a point to talk to the both of us directly while going over the wine list and what would go well with the selections we made for dinner. Nothing gets me looking forward to having a piece of striped bass than a full description of the wine I've just selected (which happened to be what he would have recommended...yum!).
Our entrees were put together very well, and holy moly, was that some seriously tasty Pad Thai! The bass was also put together very well, but my only complaint on that was the soy based sauce at the bottom of the dish was way too overpowering. I had to be very careful not to dip the fish in the sauce, or it would blow away the yumminess that was coming from the main course. The jasmine rice was done to perfection, and I've got to say that I always love me some bok choy.
Overall, a very solid experience, and I'd definitely go back or recommend. -
Review from Jill M.
Philadelphia, PA
10/14/2010
I really really wanted to love my meal and give Lantern 4 stars, but I just can't. I'm not from the area and this restaurant seemed to be one of the best reviewed here on Yelp. So I think my anticipation and expectations could not be matched.
I sat in the bar area (in the back of the restaurant) as I was alone. Very cool decor back there. The bartender was awesome and spent quite a bit of time talking about wine and food options with me. He highly recommended the special, Miso Black Cod so I went with his suggestion.
Normally I would give this meal a high rating but I ate THE EXACT SAME DISH at another restaurant recently and it blew this version out of the water. I think part of the problem was the cod was just a bit overcooked. I was so disappointed - for $28 it could have been better. -
Review from Naomi K.
7/10/2011
I walked through the tiny dining space to get to the bar in the back. I guess the regulars know there's a back door down the alley that avoids walking through the entire restaurant. I actually came here just for drinks and to scope the place out.
The downstairs dining area is open, bright and intimate. The bar in the back has more of a dark trendy feel to it. It has black and red textured wall paper, dark light blocking curtains for the door, red paper lanterns illuminating the inside. There are small side tables to catch the overflow from the restaurant and they serve the full menu upstairs. Which makes a lot of work for the bartenders- to know their drinks and the food.
The bartenders were very friendly, polite and very timely. I appreciate that especially on a busy early Saturday (6pm.) I tried the hibiscus petal (hibiscus infused vodka lime and basil) and another drink called the geisha with muddled strawberries, lime and vodka. I guess I should have been more adventurous and tried drinks that weren't quite so similar to each other. Both were crafted well and had a nice presentation (a big spring of fresh sweet basil was perfect with the hibiscus petal.)
I'm glad to see an Asian inspired restaurant do so well, and perhaps when I have an excessive amount of cash I'll splurge on the Asian fusion meals here. For now, if the server can't pronounce "pho" properly, then I'd rather get my cheap bowl of real pho at the less fancy, affordable Vietnamese restaurant in Durham. -
Review from Andrew S.
Chapel Hill, NC
4/27/2011
Lantern has been on my radar every since I moved to NC, and for good reason - the place get's all the love from the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, and was named to the "Top 50 Restaurants" by Gourmet Magazine. Enough with the hype already! The stars aligned a few weeks ago (I found a babysitter) so on short notice my wife and I decided to check it out.
From the outside, Lantern is unassuming and you might mistake it for another barber shop. Strolling in with blue Jeans and no reservation, we were pleasantly surprised to learn we could be seated in 90 minutes, which was no problem because there are plenty of boutiques, bars, and niche retailers close by to chew some time. We sifted through old vinyls at the retro record shop a block east, and then returned to Lantern 60 minutes later to discover that our table was ready a little early.
The contemporary setting features clean lines, soft lighting, mirrors, and large Asian inspired oils. The noise level was mezzo-piano when we arrived at 7pm, but quickly crescendoed into a forte within the hour, seemingly in parallel with the drink production rolling off the bar. Our waiter greeted us and introduced the cocktail menu which contained a short list of interesting elixirs' such as "Milk of Human Kindness" and "The Cunning Kimono". My wife ordered the "Junebug" (Pimms, fresh ginger, lemon soda and cucumber) which starts sweet then ends with a crisp cucumber finish. My "Strange Acquaintance" (Whisky, ruby port, lemon, Blenheim spicy ginger ale and egg white) was a bit more broad and spicy. Both were delicious and left us mildly intoxicated. We sobered up with "Seasonal vegetable spring rolls" and a juvenile contest involving copious amounts of hot mustard. The deep-fried rolls were piping hot and the veggie internals were crisp and fresh.
Lantern's menu proclaims to be "a marriage of Asian flavors and North Carolina ingredients sourced mainly from local farms and fisheries". Although the menu is somewhat small (7-8 entrees at most), the selection changes regularly and there seems to be something for every type whether carnivore, herbivore or pesco-lover. I ordered the "Fried whole North Carolina catfish with chilies, garlic, tamarind, fresh lime leaf, carrot salad and jasmine rice" and it surpassed each of my expectations in flavor, texture, temperature and aesthetics. The fish was lightly breaded and fried, and contrasted nicely with the cool carrot salad. The jasmine rice was aromatic and steamed to perfection - setting a new high watermark for me in how rice should be cooked. My wife's loot was equally delicious - the "Moon-viewing hotpot with homemade Anson Mills soba noodles with black trumpet mushrooms, fresh bamboo, local vegetables and a poached Fickle Creek Farm egg" . Breaking with Asian tradition, we fully consumed both entrees.
After some intense deliberation over the dessert menu and no easy decision in sight, our waiter convinced us to try the "Local Sourwood honey panna cotta with L'Hoste Meyer lemon caramel, honeycomb and organic kiwi". We could literally taste history in this confectionary delight while our waiter lectured us on the origins and local significance of Sourwood honey.
The food and drink at Lantern is exceptional, but the service also sets it apart. The wait staff is extremely knowledgeable yet unpretentious. Execution was near flawless with perfectly timed dish pickups and drink refills, but not overly-intrusive. Even for a top culinary destination such as Chapel Hill, it's hard to find this level of knowledge and service.
Overall, I must opine that the hype is legitimate and Lantern Restaurant is the real deal. Now, if I can just find another baby-sitter. -
Review from Sarah B.
Carrboro, NC
5/21/2011
My husband and I went to Lantern for my birthday last night. I was a little nervous that it wouldn't live up to the gigantic expectations I had formed, but luckily my fears were completely unfounded.
Our evening started with 6:30 reservations; sat right away, the attentive waitstaff got busy wishing me a happy birthday (apparently the hubby told them it was my b-day and to lavish me with birthday wishes). I cannot emphasize enough how great the service is here. The entire front of house staff works like a well oiled machine. Everyone is pleasant and attentive, but without being at all overbearing.
Our waiter came over and recited a list of excellent-sounding specials. We asked for some sparkling water, which he brought over in a large carafe, and then started debating what to get. I was greedily eying all of the delicious meals at tables around me. They are so pretty!
We settled on sharing the soft shell crab appetizer while I had the whole fried fish and hubby ordered the steamed salmon. We each got a glass of the Sauvignon Blanc as well. What can I say? It was food heaven. Wine - excellent, and well paired with the food. The crab appetizer was superb, with an amazing spicy/sweet sauce and an elegantly arranged whole fried crab on a bed of delicate spring salad greens. My husband's salmon was delicate while avoiding blandness - that's hard to do. The salmon was perfectly cooked and served with pickled onions, cucumbers, and wonderfully steamed coconut rice. My only complaint about that dish is that it is served on this weird stand that makes it a little difficult to eat.
But, the tour-de-force of the evening was my whole fried fish (the market fish last night was flounder). I cannot even begin to do justice to its amazingness. Such complex flavors, such fun to eat, I would definitely return just for that.
Overall, and excellent meal with excellent service. We can't wait to return! -
Review from Sarah M.
Raleigh, NC
6/16/2010
After having been to the Lantern several times now, I now feel comfortable writing a review because I can say that it is consistent. I got chicken my first time, and my second time, and it was advertised as farm raised and free range (which I believe) and both times it was stellar. Both times it was almost as stellar as the free range, farm raised chicken I had at Heron's, and I'm sure about a third of the price.
I had a lovely pinot gris both times, and as has been pointed out before the staff is knowledgeable about the food and the wines. I was pretty surprised at how reasonable the price point on the wines especially is.
The desserts *sound* outstanding but I have not had room either time to actually try one.
The one thing I wish they could change but I don't know how they could is the table placement. You can hear every single morsel of the conversation of whoever is seated next to you. The place is already quite intimate and does not allow for much seating, so I don't think removing tables is an option. I don't know if there are plans to move to a larger location in the future, but to me it is awkward to be that close to the next couple. I just need a little more room. Not too much, just a bit.
Otherwise - absolutely no complaints. -
Review from Matt K.
3/27/2010
What a creative dinner adventure!
My wife and I stopped in on a Saturday night after a DSI show. We didn't plan ahead so we did have a wait. It was only about 30 minutes. In the meantime, the host offered to call us on my cell if we wanted to walk around town. We waited up front and he brought us each glasses of water. He kept us updated on the wait and it really went by quickly.
The whole place is intimate and well decorated, giving it a smooth & peaceful vibe. The paper lanterns and candlelight sets a great mood.
Our waitress was helpful with recommendations
My wife started with the Junebug, a very refreshing, complex, and creative ginger cocktail.
For appetizers, I had a coconut based soup with mushrooms and some lime. I can't remember every component, but it was definitely unlike anything I've ever had. My wife ordered the spring rolls, which will redefine what you think is possible from an otherwise common Asian appetizer. The chef also provided us with a complimentary fried oyster app with a curry sauce. Similarly tasty and much appreciated!
For our entree I had the shaking beef, which was incredibly well seared and still tender and rare in the center. Just a perfect preparation - I can't stress that enough. The watercress salad was nice for something different and the caramelized onions were fantastic in the soy-vinegar pan sauce.
My wife had the tea and spice smoked chicken. The half chicken was plenty enough that we had some to bring home. The whole dish had a unique earthiness that made the dish fun.
For desert we had some tea and I tried the persimmon pudding at the recommendation of the waitress. It's not something that I'll be craving or running out late at night looking to find, but it was a one-of-a-kind dessert experience that was a perfect ending to an adventurous meal.
Even though we were seated late in the evening, our meal was not rushed. Many have commented about the expense here, but considering the quality and quantity of food we had (plus the cocktail and tea) I think it was fairly priced. I literally have nothing bad to say. This restaurant would impress just about anyone, I think. If you're looking for something different, this is a perfect spot. -
Review from Ghazal S.
Milwaukee, WI
7/28/2011
The great thing about traveling with your boss is that he orders everything on the menu and you never have to feel bad for spending too much. Though the dishes weren't too pricey, we may have been just shy of ordering everything. And every bit of food or beverage that graced my lips was perfect, particularly, the rib appetizer special. My two-year long craving for delicious ribs was finally satiated.
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Review from Michael M.
Santa Monica, CA
The Lantern might possibly be the best place to breakup with someone because they can' t possibly throw a fit here when eating deliciousness!
Note: I have not done any breaking up with anyone at Lantern, nor do I plan to at this time.
I have been going here since the place opened, and it is possibly the most reliably consistently good place around, especially considering their commitment to using as much local food sources as possible. For people that say they want to support local farms this is one of the best places to eat out (Panzanella and Crook's Corner being other places). Yes you pay a little more maybe, but the taste and quality is worth it and the power of your dollar spent is threefold which in turn is cheaper for you in the long run.
I do have a few tips .. if you order a fish, it may come with a head. The flesh on a fish's head is possibly one of the best bits so don't be a prude or complain about it. Also this place isn't about being rushed, it's about having a pleasant experience and enjoying your food and drinks. If you need food or drinks quickly, go somewhere else. Lantern gets very busy on the weekends, so I advise going here during the week. Finally, especially to newbies on a date, there is no need to act pretentious or 'put on aires'. Listen to your servers recommendations, they know what they are talking about and you cannot hope to 'one up them' or 'impress' without sounding like a douchebag. Shut up, enjoy the experience, and let them take you on a lantern journey. Oh I almost forgot - do not act condescending to the bar and waitstaff, of I might punch you in the face myself.
Thank you Lantern for many years of happy memories and meals.Listed in: Primal Blueprint Friendly
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Review from Andrew D.
9/11/2010
This is it, best restaurant in the Triangle.
Sit in the bar in the back, coolest spot in Chapel Hill.
Eat anything. -
Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
6/27/2008
My favorite place to eat in Chapel Hill, hands down. I've been blown away by a few of their dishes and very pleased with the rest. Don't expect Cheesecake Factory-sized plates here; the portions are sensible ("small" if you're my father or my boyfriend), but I think this is a good thing because when the food is this delicious we should be forced to slow down and savor it instead of inhaling a meal.
Andrea, the chef, is consistently voted best in the Triangle in the Indy. And her innovation and skill have led Lantern to hit national restaurant rankings and reviews (not bad for small-town Chapel Hill!). I love that she uses seasonal and local ingredients to prepare the dishes. And this means the menu switches up pretty regularly, which is always nice.
The dining space is teeny, so make sure to make reservations if you're bringing a group or if you want to avoid a wait on a weekend. They have a dark, intimate bar space down the hallway and to the left in the back corner; it's also teeny, but one of my favorite spots for date drinks. The cocktails are an investment (I'm not quite ready for NYC-like prices, even if they are trendy and have ground ginger or organic cherries), so you might want to stick with sake or highballs.
I highly recommend the Lantern -- one of the can't-miss dining opportunities locally.Listed in: My 5-Star Faves!, Chapel Hill, my best of
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Review from Christina L.
Raleigh, NC
9/2/2011
One of best meals I have had since moving to NC. We arrived a little early and had a drink in the bar, which is in the very back of the restaurant down a hall way in a separate room. I believe you can enter the bar from a side entrance. The atmosphere in the bar was hip & fun. The mood is dark and cozy, a great place for a date. You can order food in the bar too. We had a couple of their signature drinks that were refreshing, bold and whimsical. Then we went to the dining room for dinner. Our servers were very attentive and friendly. We ordered the crab fried rice appetizer and some dumplings. Delicious!! (wish the portions were bigger bc we almost licked the plates haha) I can't remember what my sister-law and husband had, but I had a pork dish with an amazing assortment of accompaniments to create lettuce wraps. Wow, the flavors blew me away! I have been dreaming of going back to have it again, but I see it's not on the menu now. :( We will definitely be back, great experience overall and outstanding food, drinks and service.
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Review from Will C.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/21/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Hands down the best food in the Chapel Hill/Durham area. I work in NY and DC and this may even be better than the vast majority of those places.
We love sitting at the back bar which is very cool with black walls and red chinese lanterns. The shrimp app and the pork lettuce wraps are heaven! -
Review from Pinaki S.
Chapel Hill, NC
2/27/2010
This is solely for the back bar (not enough money for the food, yet).
Like stepping into Manhattan. Come here for classy drinks and some freaking cool surroundings. (not to mention the bathroom). -
Review from Melissa M.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/12/2010
I wish I hadn't missed the Momofuku event, but I went a few weeks later for a friend's birthday. Poor college students like me can rarely afford places like this, but luckily her parents were treating *\(^.^)/*
The food was absolutely delicious, the portions were surprisingly satisfying, and the atmosphere was dreamy. We had a wonderful bottle of malbec and sat at the window to enjoy. If I had money, I would come all the time.... -
Review from Patty S.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2010
This was one of my favorite restaurant when I lived in Raleigh. The food was very inventive and at the time they had a "create your own hand roll" appetizer that was so much fun. All the ingredients were flavorful by themselves, but the combination together made it over the top.
I also have very fond memories of their innovative drinks infused with different teas.
Definitely a great date place and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Asian Fusion and just absolutely delicious food. -
Review from e c.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2011
this is a fine place. I am not from NC, so i am not sure of the standards, but this place is basically exactly the same as slanted door SF or Gingergrass in LA. It seems to be quite popular here, and does a nice job
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Review from James M.
Durham, NC
2/24/2010
The atmosphere is definitely pleasing; however the dining area is way too crowded and loud at full capacity. The cocktails are great (my wife says the best Cosmo she's ever had), but the food is awful. Our appetizers tasted like burnt grease and the waiter laughed at us when we complained. He took the dish away and never comped us for it.
Our entrees were only half-decent, but honestly boring in terms of flavor. The Ale House just down the street has better food than this place. I say avoid at all costs - this place is way too over priced for the quality of the food.
