Five members of Meetup?s Thrifty Gourmets group and I field-tested La Lanterna Caffe on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:45 PM. The restaurant did not appear to employ a host. I was greeted instead by a friendly young man who was working the floor and who, later,waited upon our table. My reservation had been held. The six of us were seated promptly at two tables that our waiter pulled together in the front of the restaurant. In retrospect, I wish that we had been seated elsewhere, as this area soon became crowded with individuals waiting to be seated, as well as other diners. It appeared that La Lanterna?s management wanted to fill as many tables as possible in the venue?s limited space. Our waiter, although warm and courteous, was not self-assured, was not familiar with the prix fixe special mentioned in Citysearch?s description of the restaurant, and delivered a glass of wine other than the one she ordered to a member of my group. At various times throughout the evening, the restaurant?s manager needed to coach him. Our dishes were delivered promptly and, other than that glass of wine, as ordered. They were presented simply and straightforwardly. The portions were sufficient, just large enough to be lightly filling. I shared the duck salad and lasagna with pesto with a fellow diner. Both were flavorful, if not memorable. The lasagne?s thin noodles were moist and chewy, and its rich flavor lingered nicely on my tongue. My meal, with tip, cost $15. It was enjoyable, but not compelling enough to return to La Lanterna frequently.
Pros: Flavorful lasagne; value
Cons: Unpolished service; crowded seating
more