Detroit Exploring · La Lanterna

A Cozy Authentic Italian Spot in Detroit DT – Worth the Second Visit! 📍 1224 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226 This was my second time at this little Italian eatery, and it still feels so authentic! The place was pretty busy, so we sat outside—other than being a bit too sunny and warm, everything was perfect ☀️! Apps (Appetizers) Polpo alla Griglia (Grilled Octopus Platter): The octopus was incredibly tender—way better than that other Italian spot in Sterling Heights I tried before! 🐙 The garlic bread and baby potatoes that came with it were delicious too. Only downside? There were just two pieces of octopus—portion was a little small for the price. Lemoncello Wings: Such a refreshing appetizer! The lemon flavor mixed with garlic and rosemary wasn’t overly tart, and the sauce coating the wings wasn’t thick or heavy (no greasy aftertaste!). The portion was nice—5 pairs (10 wings total)—perfect for sharing. 🍗 Mains (Entrees) Lasagna alla Bolognese (Traditional Bolognese Lasagna): Oops, I totally forgot to taste this one! 😂 My friend had it, but I was too busy with my own dish—will have to try it next time. Spaghetti con Frutti di Mare (Seafood Spaghetti): You can swap the pasta shape for your favorite, which is a nice touch! The pasta quality was chef’s kiss—my friend said it tasted super fresh, and I could tell right away it was nothing like the pre-packaged stuff from the grocery store. The seafood flavor was bright and fresh too. 🍝 Farfalle with Tuna (Tuna Butterfly Pasta): I ordered this for the tuna, but heads up—there were no big chunks (you can’t really fork up pieces of tuna). The base was a slightly oily tomato sauce, but the tomato flavor wasn’t strong. The tuna was more like a subtle seasoning to boost umami. If you want tomato pasta without too much tang, this works! I ended up finishing the whole plate—still tasty overall. 🐟 Tortellini alla Pesca (Creamy Lemon Tortellini): I had a bite of this, and it wasn’t heavy at all! The little tortellini shapes were so cute 🥰, and there were fresh pear slices mixed in—they kept the creamy sauce from feeling rich. Super light and easy to eat. Sitting outside when the sun was shining made for such great photos—this spot is so Instagram-worthy! The owner was also really thoughtful—he came out to thank us and ask if we were enjoying our meal, which added a nice personal touch. Compared to other Italian restaurants in the US, this one’s way more (thoughtful with flavors)—no cloying creaminess or overpowering salt. I’ll definitely be back—next time I want to try their pizza (I totally forgot what it tasted like from my first visit!). It’s the perfect spot to stop by after work or on a weekend when you’re wandering Downtown Detroit. #MichiganEats #FoodieDiary #FoodShare #Michigan #UniversityOfMichigan #DetroitItalian #DowntownDetroitEats