La Lanterna

Sembra che trascorriamo la maggior parte del nostro tempo mangiare nei ristoranti mediocri e spendere soldi inutilmente. Tuttavia, devo dire che La Lanterna ? il exception?. Ero in Florida la settimana scorsa, godendo i frutti di mare grande pinna, assaporando le capesante di Emeril e godendo di cotolette di maiale a Wolfgang Puck. Questa settimana ? stata un'altra esperienza di cinque stelle presso La Lanterna a San Mateo! Devo mettere questo meraviglioso ristorante italiano in compagnia dell'altri...! Semplicemente delizioso, gnocchi, ravioli e cr?me brul?e, in coppia con vino salata. Il servizio di superare le nostre aspettative, il cibo era incredibile e l'atmosfera era molto confortevole. Saluto La Lanterna! more

A nice little locally owned restaurant. Authentically prepared meals, diverse selection of dishes on the menu. Friendly attentive wait staff. A must try. Outside dining on those warm San Mateo nights. Lovely atmosphere. Pros: Location-price more

A nice little locally owned restaurant. Authentically prepared meals, diverse selection of dishes on the menu. Friendly attentive wait staff. A must try. Outside dining on those warm San Mateo nights. Lovely atmosphere. Pros: Location-price more

The best house made tortelloni I've ever had! We get take out from La Lanterna since we work near by. The antipasti is very good and so are... more

I came to La Lanterna with a group of girlfriends for a nice dinner out on the town last weekend. We were so impressed with the service and the quality of the food. It seems that so many places are slacking on the small things- not here! I will definately refer my friends and return again. I'm even thinking of taking my father to the fathers day brunch at their other restaurant in San Carlos - Azure. Pros: easy to park, great ambiance, outside tables Cons: sometimes hard to get a reservation more

I came to La Lanterna with a group of girlfriends for a nice dinner out on the town last weekend. We were so impressed with the service and the quality of the food. It seems that so many places are slacking on the small things- not here! I will definately refer my friends and return again. I'm even thinking of taking my father to the fathers day brunch at their other restaurant in San Carlos - Azure. Pros: easy to park, great ambiance, outside tables Cons: sometimes hard to get a reservation more

We heard really great things about La Lanterna on Citysearch so we booked a birthday dinner there. They accommodated our group of 18 in the back room so the privacy was appreciated. However, perhaps because we were out of sight, the service lacked. We ordered, received, and finished eating the appetizer platters and still they had not taken our dinner orders. So we had to wait for them to take our order and wait some more for our meals. We sat down at 7:10 p.m. and were not served our entrees until almost 9 p.m.! To top it off, one guest, ordered a bottle of wine. The waiter came back and said they didn't have that particular vintage. So our guest selected a second offering, again the waiter came back and said it was not available. This went on three more times until finally our guest was exasperated and took whatever bottle was offered. The whole episode was unbelievable. Granted we had a large group, but the restaurant had two weeks notice that we were coming. And I note that the restaurant was not even a third full with patrons. The food was good, but the service certainly was not up to par. Pros: Decor, ease of parking, food Cons: Lack of service, lack in wine availability more

We heard really great things about La Lanterna on Citysearch so we booked a birthday dinner there. They accommodated our group of 18 in the back room so the privacy was appreciated. However, perhaps because we were out of sight, the service lacked. We ordered, received, and finished eating the appetizer platters and still they had not taken our dinner orders. So we had to wait for them to take our order and wait some more for our meals. We sat down at 7:10 p.m. and were not served our entrees until almost 9 p.m.! To top it off, one guest, ordered a bottle of wine. The waiter came back and said they didn't have that particular vintage. So our guest selected a second offering, again the waiter came back and said it was not available. This went on three more times until finally our guest was exasperated and took whatever bottle was offered. The whole episode was unbelievable. Granted we had a large group, but the restaurant had two weeks notice that we were coming. And I note that the restaurant was not even a third full with patrons. The food was good, but the service certainly was not up to par. Pros: Decor, ease of parking, food Cons: Lack of service, lack in wine availability more

I took my Mom here when she was visiting and we both had great meals. It was a weeknight so we were able to get a table fairly easily. The decor is simple and elegant and the waiter was very attentive. We split an appetizer of Calamari and a great bottle of red wine (wish I could remember the name). I had the pork tenderloin and she had the lamb, both were excellent. We didn't have room for desert, but I'll definitely be back. more

I took my Mom here when she was visiting and we both had great meals. It was a weeknight so we were able to get a table fairly easily. The decor is simple and elegant and the waiter was very attentive. We split an appetizer of Calamari and a great bottle of red wine (wish I could remember the name). I had the pork tenderloin and she had the lamb, both were excellent. We didn't have room for desert, but I'll definitely be back. more

I really like La Lanterna. Its comfortable, airy, and friendly. But most importantly they serve great italian food. They always have a good risotto special, and I'm always happy with their pesto sauce. I have been a customer for several years now, and I'm looking forward to more. Pros: Really fresh food, really nice staff, not dark and overcrowded more

I really like La Lanterna. Its comfortable, airy, and friendly. But most importantly they serve great italian food. They always have a good risotto special, and I'm always happy with their pesto sauce. I have been a customer for several years now, and I'm looking forward to more. Pros: Really fresh food, really nice staff, not dark and overcrowded more

I have been here a few times: with my husband for a romantic dinner, with my friends for a mom's night out, and with extended family for a b... more

We have been several times. We love the appetizer and the mangers. They are so nice, seat us promptly and always recommend a great bottle of wine. Customer service is excellent and we have enjoyed our food every time. I've had the risotto special, the veal and various pasta dishes. We have been to this restaurant at least 5 times in the last 3 months. Pros: Food, Service, Atmospher more

We have been several times. We love the appetizer and the mangers. They are so nice, seat us promptly and always recommend a great bottle of wine. Customer service is excellent and we have enjoyed our food every time. I've had the risotto special, the veal and various pasta dishes. We have been to this restaurant at least 5 times in the last 3 months. Pros: Food, Service, Atmospher Cons: None more

I don't know if my view is skewed because I dined here on a slow Wednesday night, but I still paid full price so I would expect the best. The minestrone soup was tasteless, it had cabbage in it??? and no beans. I ordered a seafood pasta, oil and lemon based. Well the pasta seemed like it sat around, 3 small shrimp and 5 small oysters in it, again tasteless. Desserts rock. As for the restaurant itself, nice atmostphere but the tables at the booths were too small and it was uncomfortable. I have to admit I'm highly critical of italian food but based on a >$100 bill for 3 I will not recommend or return. Pros: Italian Language, Atmosphere Cons: Flavorless food, No basics mball w/spa more

I don't know if my view is skewed because I dined here on a slow Wednesday night, but I still paid full price so I would expect the best. The minestrone soup was tasteless, it had cabbage in it??? and no beans. I ordered a seafood pasta, oil and lemon based. Well the pasta seemed like it sat around, 3 small shrimp and 5 small oysters in it, again tasteless. Desserts rock. As for the restaurant itself, nice atmostphere but the tables at the booths were too small and it was uncomfortable. I have to admit I'm highly critical of italian food but based on a >$100 bill for 3 I will not recommend or return. Pros: Italian Language, Atmosphere Cons: Flavorless food, No basics mball w/spa more

We were planning to go to the restaurant across the street and made reservation at this restaurant by mistake. We were at first not sure we've made the right choice when we saw only one waiter for the whole restaurant. We weren't sure until the pasta arrived. Their pasta is very fresh and perfectly prepared (al dente). They were so good we orderd third pasta for two of us. If you're craving for good pasta, this is the place. We'll be back again! Pros: excellent pasta, friendly waiter Cons: somewhat slow service more

We were planning to go to the restaurant across the street and made reservation at this restaurant by mistake. We were at first not sure we've made the right choice when we saw only one waiter for the whole restaurant. We weren't sure until the pasta arrived. Their pasta is very fresh and perfectly prepared (al dente). They were so good we orderd third pasta for two of us. If you're craving for good pasta, this is the place. We'll be back again! Pros: excellent pasta, friendly waiter Cons: somewhat slow service more

Although not as well known as the popular Italian eatery across the street, La Lanterna offers fabulous homemade pastas and simple, flavorful entrees. The veal was tender and perfect. Portions were ample and appeared to fill even the heartiest eaters. Service was casual, attentive, and respectful. La Lanterna will certainly be visited by my family again and is highly recommended. 9/10. Average pasta $13, entree $18 more