La Lanterna Caffe
I used to be a bartender and was damn good at it. Because of that fact I had a lot of regulars. One of my favorites was a guy named Frank. I served the guy for roughly four years, once a week, seldom missing one of those weekly visits. Though I don’t tend bar anymore, I still keep in touch though. Just this last weekend we actually got together he, Jessie, and I and dined at La Lanterna Caffe.
This is the all things Frank review.
Frank is a name from Germany derived from the name of a type of javelin they would use. In Latin it means “free man”. La Lanterna Caffe has the most gorgeous outdoor dining garden I have ever seen in my life. Eating in this enclosed hideaway would in fact make one feel like a “free man.” The ceiling and walls are both made of glass while a babbling waterfall accents the audio in the corner of the room.
Simple appetizers such as Minestrone soup or Caprese Salad are done perfectly. The ingredients of the soup were not overpowering.
It was light and tasteful. The Caprese Salad was proportioned properly with it’s fresh Italian buffalo mozzarella with tomato, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
Every aspect was as fresh and delicious as the day it was made. In keeping with the salad and Frank theme, a fictional famous Frank, Frank Costanza (from Seinfeld), in one episode ordered “the big salad” (some of you may remember that one) for Elaine. That was a funny one.
La Lanterna Caffe is well known for two things mainly. Apparently their pizzas and paninis are out of this world. Since we don’t have 14 stomachs, paninis was the choice of the day. The two selections of Mozzarella Pomodoro E Basilico
(imported buffalo mozzarella, with sliced tomato and basil on ciabatta)
and Prosciutto Arrostito Con Fontina
(roasted ham with melted fontina on homemade focaccia) were both simply magical. Some of the best sandwiches on this planet Earth. You gotta love a perfectly cripsy bread with the freshest of ingredients meshing together in harmony. Former baseball player Frank Thomas was nicknamed “The Big Hurt”. Like him, this sucker’ll put a hurtin’ on ya. Hey, another Frank reference!
The menu boasts a giant hot beverages and desserts section. Cappuccino’s, tarts, pies, gelato, tea, hot cocoa, and much more is available. We picked some serious gems with the Profiterole and the Raspberry Crumb Cheesecake. My god that cheesecake.
Crumb topping that coats your moats and melts away with the raspberry flavor. So blissful. The Profiterole was off the hook with it’s covering of the most rich and delicious chocolate mousse.
The creamy inside and flaky pastry were divine. Frank Sinatra sang that he’ll, “Doooo it myyyyy wayyyyyy.” If I had it my way, those desserts would be breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.
My second favorite Frank of all time is a fictional one. From the movie Naked Gun, Leslie Nielsen starred as cop Frank Drebin. Such a hilarious movie and trilogy that has scenes that will stay with my forever and always make me smile. And who might be the number one Frank? You know who it is buddy. Thanks for coming.
La Lanterna Caffe
129 MacDougal Street
New York, NY 10012
Prices: Panini’s $11.50, Lasagna Al Pesto $12.99, Caprese Salad $9.99
Hours: Fri-Sat 10am-4am, Sun-Thu 10am-3am
Access: B,C,D,E,F,V Trains To West 4th Street
Looks like a delicious meal!! I think its pretty cool you and Frank still keep in touch!
Wonderful review and the crusty breads and focaccia for the panini are great. The relationship you have with Frank is golden, wonderful to keep those cherished ones.
Thank you,
CCR
=:~)
Naked Gun! You totally made my day.
Yay.
Restaurant looks great!
+Jessie
Hm I think I pass this all the time..will need to check it out one day!
That focaccia looks delicious.
That’s really cool that you actually still get together with one of your regulars. Looks like it was a great place to dine, too!
wow I can eat all of this for Breakfast not fair to salivate this early!!!! It all looks wonderful!
Some great looking food they serve out there!
I’m going to have to stop reading your posts – every time I do, I feel jealous that I don’t have such awesome places down the street from where I live!
(kidding!) Sounds like a yummy place!
What a great meal, the cheesecake looks incredible!
You are so good. You still keep in contact with the old punters. And this look like a lovely place.
What a major feast for the eyes! Great choice for dining!
This brought back memories! I was an NYU law student–although I am sure way before your time… Thanks for the memories.
Yummy.Thank you for sharing. Cheers!