Perfect for: A team bonding dinner with some good colleagues from work
Hot tip: Book in advance - they're always busy.
Price range: $$$ Exxy
My rating: 8.5/10
Food: 8/10 Service: 9/10 Ambience: 9/10
Red Lantern on Crown came after its popular predecessor, Red Lantern on Riley in Darlinghurst. If you've got a winning formula and can't fit enough people in your restaurant, day in and day out, then why wouldn't you open up a new one?
As you guessed, it is just as popular as its older brother. Walk past on a regular night, you're unlikely to know it even exists on Crown since it's so well-concealed, but if you did, you're probably unlikely to get a table if you didn't already have a reservation. I've been lucky both times I've wondered past on a Tuesday night, and managed to sneak in a quick meal before those diligent enough to make a booking arrive for their table.
Crisp skin Burrawong pasture raised chicken poached in master stock with ginger and oyster sauce
Twice cooked crisp skin Burrawong duck with vermicelli, red cabbage and bamboo shoots
I think the food here is fantastic - full of flavour and really wakes up your tastebuds. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices on the menu. What really impresses me about this place is their service - for a place that is so busy, they really are good at treating their customers well. The waitstaff are very attentive and readily tailor the menu items to your needs - for example, I really wanted to try both the dishes above but I couldn't possibly order both dishes, so the waitress said she would happily ask the chef to do half portions for me.
Meal: Lunch / Dinner
