Paper Lantern — Restaurant in Montclair

I went to eat here last night with my friend. It was a rough start because he called to make a reservation for 6:15 but they heard six, then they sat us all the way in the back right next to the table where they’re employees were sitting, drinking, and eating. We got our order in quickly after we sat down. We waited 30-45 minutes for our first appetizer, 2 small spring rolls, then another 15-20 after that for our bao buns. How does it take 45 minutes to bring out 2 apps. Also while this was going on the wait staff looked like they couldn’t be bothered to show any hospitality, there was only one server that looked like he actually cared but since we were in the back we got stuck with the servers who were more interested in eating and drinking themselves then with how their tables were doing. There were many times that my water glass was empty for like 10 minutes at a time. Eventually the waiter in the front section came to check on us to see how we were doing and what we were waiting on. He also told us that the kitchen was understaffed with only 2 people back there. However I’ve worked in a kitchen understaffed and I have never had guests waiting around 45 minutes for 2 small appetizers. There was one girl on the wait staff that had not spoken a word and in the middle of the service decided to eat her dinner right behind us as we were still waiting, very unprofessional.

Eventually our entrees came out. My friend got the sesame chicken while I got the Chongqing Spicy Chicken. The sesame chicken was ok and mine was ok as well, nothing to write home about. I asked one of the servers a very simple question of can we get the check and could I get a box for the meal, she did not respond and walked off towards the front of the restaurant, she did not come back. Around 5 minutes later I was able to get the bus boy to get me a to go box and bag, as well as the check. All in all a terrible waste of time, around 2 hours, and one of the worst services I have ever experienced.

The next morning, today, I woke up and started to violently throw up for around an hour, then have been having liquid diarrhea and been stuck on the...

Grand opening weekend kinks! Definitely giving the benefit of the doubt.

My husband and I dined here during the grand opening weekend. We came on Fri night around 6:20pm. We were greeted when we walked in and seated right away. The restaurant was clean and tables were spaced comfortably. We were brought out complimentary tea and wontons. We enjoyed the steamed pork soup dumplings, pan fried pork dumplings, and chicken fried rice.

The first to come out were the pan fried pork buns, then soup dumplings and fried rice. Everything came out pretty fast (~10-15min) and tasted great. We then ordered another order of soup dumplings and we waited an hour and it never came so we just canceled. The restaurant started getting pretty busy around 7pm and I don’t think they were prepared or staffed for it to fill up so quickly. There were only 2 servers for the entire restaurant and every table was seated. The poor servers were running around like crazy trying to keep up. They definitely worked hard and I know it wasn’t their fault. It appeared that the kitchen was also backed up on take out orders as well , which I feel like they should have stopped taking at some point. It was also pretty cold in the restaurant as if they didn’t want to turn the heat on. Other than that the food I did try was really good. I will definitely come back once the opening kinks are worked out since the servers were so apologetic and the...

I went to Paper Lantern yesterday, a charming Chinese spot that lulled me into a false sense of security with its elegant decor and smiling staff. I ordered the chicken with chili—with fresh chilies, mind you—and what followed was less of a dinner and more of a spiritual awakening.

One bite in, I knew I had made a mistake. Two bites in, I began drafting a letter to my intestines, apologizing for everything I was about to put them through. By the third bite, I was ready to light incense and pray to every known deity across all faiths, past and present, for mercy before my inevitable showdown next morning.

I drank a whole bottle of sparkling water like it was a crisp mountain stream—still, flat, blessed. I didn’t sip. I gulped. I chugged. I made eye contact with the server like, “Sir, am I going to survive this?”

But oh, it was good. Like dangerously good. The scallion pancakes? Crispy, chewy little miracles. The cucumber salad? Cool, refreshing, and frankly, the only thing keeping my taste buds from submitting a formal HR complaint. The Singapore noodles? Glorious. Lightly spiced, stir-fried perfection with just enough curry to whisper, “See? Not all spice wants to kill you.”

So yes, Paper Lantern is delicious. Just know this: if you order the chicken with chili, prepare for a flavor experience so intense you might briefly leave your body. 10/10 would eat again—with a fire...