La Lanterna — Restaurant in Detroit

I would like to start out by saying I know it was a busy night and I can totally understand that makes for a stressful atmosphere but that doesn’t excuse poor attitude.

My nephew is young and so we asked about drink options for him our waitress listed off options and then interrupted my sister who tried to to tell her what he would like and said oh we will come back to him. Anyone who has kids or is working with kids in the service industry knows that a parent’s first priority is accommodate their child because they can’t wait as long.

Then she took an appetizer order just left and for as long as it took to get drinks we could have just ordered food at the same time as appetizers.

The appetizer took so long to come out that I went next door to get a snack for my nephew who had at this point probably waited minimum 45 minutes.

There was never a I’m sorry things are taking a little longer because we are really busy. Or even a oh it will just be a few more minutes on your fries.

It was after 4 and 2 of our guests asked about the panini just on the off chance it was something that could still be done. The waitress said “no we stop at 4 as the menu states” . I’m sorry but it is extremely condescending to say as the menu states when a customer is simply asking not demanding. Any place I’ve ever been I have not been responded to so rudely for just asking . I was about to ask the waiter next to us if could take our table instead because he displayed amazing customer service.

To top it off when we got our bill we went to pay with card and then decided to pay with cash. The waitress stopped us and said it’s easier for me if you pay card because we are busy.

I work in the service industry. I know what it’s like to be busy or have rude clients. The rude condescending attitude was present from the moment we sat down. I work with cash and cards and I would never say that or stop a client from paying one way or they other unless a client asked me if I had a preference.

Needless I was less than pleased. Obviously this is not a reflection of the whole business but if you feel the need to contact me about who the waitress was I will disclose that but I would like to spare her public embarrassment in the hopes she knows and corrects...

This is the Italian dreams are mode of! La Lanterna was recommended to us by a friend and after a rather disappointing Italian restaurant experience in Detroit a couple years ago from a restaurant nearby, our expectations weren't too high. Little did we know, Detroit's Italian food was soon to redeem itself in our minds. When we first entered the restaurant it seemed loud and very crowded, and I was hesitant it wouldn't be a relaxing dinner, but also encouraged that so many were there enjoying the food. We were quickly and courteously greeted and seated. Our server (I wish I could remember his name!), was so kind and attentive. We started our meal by sharing a caprese salad that was not only delicious but beautifully plated. Then the main courses came... We ordered Tagliatelle "ohhh passillo" & Petto di Pollo alla Parmigiana "La Lanterna." We each started eating what we had ordered with the intent of switching half-way through. When the time came to switch, although I wanted to try the other meal, I didn't want to give mine up! After switching though, I didn't know which one I liked better. They were both incredible! We have enjoyed Italian food coast to coast and overseas, and this was some of the best we have ever had! After telling our waiter this, he told us to tell a lady sitting nearby what we had just told him. We discovered she was the wife of the grandson of the man who had started the restaurant years ago. It was so neat to talk with her and hear how and see how it is still family run, and how they have stayed true to authentic Italian food. I am so sad we live out of state. I can't wait until we can go back. Until then, I'll just have to...

Wife and I were hanging in Campus Martius and decided we needed wine and pizza!!! (like who doesn't right?) Spending a lot of time downtown Detroit but never been to La Lanterna we were excited to try to out. Boy am I glad we did!

Walk into La Lanterna it has a really nice cozy bar in front and seating all the way back to the kitchen where you can watch the yummy magic happen!! Place was clean and class but not fancy.

Wife and I sat at the bar where they had one TV playing collage football bowl games. Nice touch and not distracting because no sound. We were looking at the wine list, pretty good selection, and ended up with white wine to go with our olive oil pizza. Wine was cold and they supplied us with a wine chiller. A must for white wine. Wine prices are typical and not extremely high as some restaurants in the area.

We started with the chop salad and it was delish! All the ingredients were fresh and the artichokes were the real deal. We then moved onto the Fiorentina Pizza which I absolutely loved. It's Mozzarella, Garlic, Spinach, Parmigianno, E.V.O.O and came out perfectly cooked. I believe it was 10" and only $12 so not bad at all. Between the salad and the pizza it was plenty of food for the wife and I.

End results: Nice place, really good pizza (all pasta looked great), really good salad, good wine selection, full bar, and staff was all great. I really look forward to coming back to try the lasagna. Great addition to my rotation...