The Red Lantern — Restaurant in Plymouth

WARNING: DO NOT BOOK A TABLE HERE TO EAT IN THE RESTAURANT. It's tragic and I hate leaving a negative review but since lockdown first started, this restaurant has gone from a classy, relaxing and delicious place to eat out, to an absolute nightmare. This used to be our favourite place to eat out and yesterday we had booked a table for Becky's 40th birthday, a very special, once in a lifetime celebration. Evidently their takeaway business has increased, but this is to the detriment of higher paying customers eating in. A third of the restaurant has been screened off and is now being used by 'volunteers' (friends and family of the owners/manager/staff by the look of it) playing dominoes VERY VERY loudly, clacking, shoving then around the table, slamming then down, the noise was horrendous. Combined with incessant beeping, assumed to be an online ordering alert, and a constant stream of delivery drivers in shorts, t shirts and baseball caps carrying huge insulated delivery bags, we became very tense and uncomfortable and asked to be moved to the other end of the restaurant. Unfortunately, this was next to the entrance door so the drivers were even more intrusive, and for some reason, the telephone was linked to a loudspeaker in the corner and was constantly ringing at high volume. Add to this an incorrect starter being served (we ordered BBQ ribs but got 4 ribs smothered in a sickly honey gloop) we walked out before the main course was served, being unable to stand the noise. There was no relaxing music, it was the opposite to a relaxing evening out. Appalling experience, totally ruined our special occasion. We'll never go there again and would like to warn anyone thinking of booking a table, not to. We would also like to suggest to the management that if you are unable to offer a proper dining experience, CLOSE YOUR RESTAURANT! It's not cheap, we spend about £80-£90 each visit for the 2 of us, and feel we deserve a...

One star for the food which was OK - not the best we've had, but not the worst either. Otherwise, the whole experience of dining in the restaurant was abysmal.

We arrived at 6.20pm and was seated at the table right by the entrance door. About 25 minutes later we were asked if we would like a drink, at which point they went off to hunt down a drinks menu. Eventually got a bottle of wine which you can get for about a fiver at any supermarket.

Because we were seated by the door the constant comings and goings of delivery riders became unbearable - especially when the back of your chair keeps getting bashed by the door. Because we were getting so angry and got up to leave they rushed over to seat us at another table. This table was still in the front part of the restaurant in which no other diners were eating - everybody else was in the rear part of the restaurant. So we still had the constant stream of delivery riders and people waiting for take-aways.

Like I said, the food was OK, but there was certainly nothing special about it. The place itself really needs sprucing up - it's pretty tatty and there are some strangely placed plugs/extension leads which are not very health and safety conscious.

Another reviewer has said they clearly prioritise take-aways and I have to agree. We wish we had taken heed of the negative reviews with this restaurant, but we like to give the benefit of the doubt. I don't generally like to write negative reviews but I really feel it's necessary in this case.

We will not be going...

Ordered takeaway from just eat. This was my first time ever ordering from here and I'm very happy. The order was ready exactly on the time that I was told to pick up and the server was very lovely and polite. I didn't dine it but it looked very clean and well presented and people who were eating in seemed very happy so it was a great atmosphere and I will consider dining in in the future. The actual food itself was well priced compared to competitors. As I never ordered from here before, whilst on just eat I was comparing the prices of different restaurants and I went with this as it was the cheapest. The more reasonable price doesn't affect the food quality in the slightest. I ordered egg fried rice and chicken balls. The chicken balls were massive in size and you get 9. The egg fried rice was a small but I could easily share that as I ended up with about half leftover (food container sized). The egg fried rice was so well cooked. The rice was so soft and the eggs werent crispy or burnt. The chicken balls as well were very soft and well cooked. I'm really fussy on chicken and am that person who scans for pink and it was completely white in every bite. The batter was a beautiful golden brown, I cannot express enough how golden they were. Overall I am so incredibly pleased with my order and will be returning. (I fear I'll be here every week now 😅) Thank...