La Lanterna
- Food served: Tue–Sat noon–10pm. Closed Sun/Mon.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 3
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Best of the 60s/70s
- Capacity: 60
- Largest group: 60
- Open since: 1982
- Average price:
£13.50 (lunch)
£21 (evening meal) - House wine: £15.95/1litre per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
Hanover Street is home to several other restaurants but perhaps none as long-standing as family-run La Lanterna. Since 1982, vivacious hostess Toni Zaino has welcomed diners into the wood-panelled basement, decorated with candles and rose-shaped cushions. There’s a relaxed and intimate feel to the dining area, where you can bop your head to Toni’s retro stereo selections. Southern Italian dishes from the Zaino’s home territory south of Naples feature on the menu. Soft tomato chunks dotted with basil rest on garlic-rubbed crostini. Large calamari rings with crisp, battered shells are paired with velvety tartare sauce. The linguini mare arrives in a tinfoil package. Opened, it releases a tantalising aroma of clams, mussels and prawns steamed in marinara sauce. A dessert of baked cheese cake, rich and springy, comes with a light raspberry coulis. House wines, both from Abruzzo, are generous litre bottles. Together with Toni, staff ensure your dining experience is a jovial one.
- High point: Hospitable hostess
- Low point: Traditional Edinburgh basement access issues
Reviews of La Lanterna (83 Hanover Street, Edinburgh)
- 5. Satisfied customer, Edinburgh – 1 August 2011, 2:19pm
La LanternaReport -
Fantastic family run, authentic Italian restaurant. Lovely food, lovely coffee after and such great service. This is a definite must if you are a fan of Italian food and everything that goes with it.
- 4. aimik, leith – 10 May 2010, 7:56pmLa LanternaReport
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i love eating here often meet aunty for lunch on saturdays after hours in the shops
the house wines are beautiful and staff are lovely
- 3. cams07, Edinburgh – 15 March 2010, 10:53pmLa LanternaReport
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I can't speak highly enough of this place. It's lovely to walk into a restaurant and feel totally at home. Food is tasty, the service is excellent too. Its a lovely, friendly atmosphere and perfect for groups or even the lone diner! will always go back. its a little gem of a place!
- 2. Toni at La Lanterna, Edinburgh – 5 March 2010, 11:59amLa LanternaReport
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I am very sad to read this review and a little curious why Katy decided to write this a few years after she said she had a bad meal.
My name is Toni and I have owned La Lanterna for the last 28years. Unfortunately I had rented it to someone else for 5 years and I am saddened to say he did not run the restaurant the way I had and then he closed the door. I could not bear to see my restaurant closed so I have come out of retirement since July 2009, when it was another 6 weeks before I could reopen the door. We cleaned ,painted replaced broken equipment and slowly by being here all day am rebuilding the good name of La Lanterna, but with the recession and reviews not
reflecting what truly is La Lanterna now. It is very difficult. Iam sure that if anyone cares to come to La Lanterna they will not be disappointed.
Toni
- 1. Katy81, Dunbar – 27 November 2009, 7:57pmLa LanternaReport
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Had an awful meal here - lazy sloppy short-cut cooking and didn't think much of the service. This was a few years ago so I hope they have pulled their socks up
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