Red Lantern on Riley

Our party of 6 started off with the Aunty 5’s rice cake entrée (Banh Bot Chien $ 21) which was unique and got my taste buds tantalised for more! The salt & pepper squid (Muc Rang Muoi $ 24.50) was very light and fresh, but nothing outstanding.
As the mains rolled in, we found ourselves sinking more and more in a mud of disappointment. The pork belly (Thit Heo Quay $ 36) was crunchy but very blah. For the extravagant price, I expected a lot more than a replica of Chinatown butcher meat. The coconut curry king prawns with glass noodles (Mi Xao Tom va Sot Ca Ri $ 37) was nice and the prawns, fresh and delectable. The caramelised chicken (Ga Kho $ 38.50) was the worst version of what was described as a «dish that can’t go wrong» when we were ordering. How can such a reputable restaurant stuff such a simple dish up? I’ve made this at home once and it was 10 0000x better! And I don’t even cook well! The meat was dry and there was no «caramel» texture to it, but merely covered with a runny soy sauce marinade. Eating this made me sad.
Other things we ordered:
Rao Muong Xao Chao (Water Spinach in a preserved bean curd sauce $ 16) — Good
Vegetarian crêpe (Banh Xeo Chay $ 29.50) — Meh
Dessert Platter for two (Banana fritters, pandan waffles, coconut crème caramel, black sesame & vanilla ice-​cream $ 24) — Good
Pham Fatale (Lychee & Ginger cocktail $ 17) — YUM
I’d heard SO many good things about this restaurant, but I was utterly disappointed. It came to about $ 50 a head (we weren’t very hungry and didn’t order much) which is not cheap anyway, but even it was half priced, I wouldn’t come back here.

Sorry Luke — this was a true ‘let down’ experience
Service — Slow
Wine List — Shallow — and the Rusu Dò was one of the worst I have ever tasted
Food — let down twice with selections of food from the menu not available — (I was looking forward to the pork belly damn it) — Swordfish main was dry — the Duck was more bone than meat. The dessert helped make things better.
Would I come back — yes only to be convinced that this experience was a once off ‘bad night ‘. Otherwise if it isn’t — well Luke you may need to get back into the kitchen here

A friend picked this restaurant for a Friday night out. Heard about it from a few people and went with high expectations. The food was brilliant! we opted for the Saigon Scrumptious Tasting Menu at $ 80 per person, which is a little expensive but was well worth the money. lot’s of variety, all fresh and we were all too full to finish the desert course.
From the rice paper rolls to start to the char grilled duck, all tastes were satisfied.
They also have an extensive cocktail menu. I am usually beers and spirits kind o guy but we all had a few rounds of cocktails. Some seemed familiar but all had a red lantern twist to them.
Overall a great meal with knowledgable and attentive staff.
The only issue I had was that by the time we left, we could not get any more drinks and ended up at the casino… Now the meals seem cheap by comparison…
I will have to go back with the family and treat them to the banquet.

I’ve never been to Vietnam but I feel if I had I’d still think this was the best Vietnamese I’d had. The venue isn’t huge and they seem to be quite busy so make a reservation if you can. The service was prompt and efficient and we were stuffed at the end.
Now for the food:
We had the fish — delicious, the ribs which were probably my favorite dish and the vegetarian curry with glass noodles which were also fantastic. We started with the spring rolls which were delicious. We were too full for desert so that may have to wait for next time. I’ll definitely go back!

I had long dreamed of dining at Red Lantern. For my birthday in 2005 two very good friends bought me the first cookbook from this Sydney fixture: Secrets of the Red Lantern. Since then I’ve collected two subsequent cookbooks, devoured each one, and prepared a number of recipes from their pages.
On a chilly Friday evening I caught up with another old friend who I’d not seen since 2006, and over the nine course tasting menu we recounted the nine years since we’d last met. The tasting menu was a great idea. It wasn’t the cheapest at $ 70 per person, but well worth every bite — my only regret was that I was too full for dessert! Given my allergy to squid, we switched out the calamari entrée for the Aunty’s Rice Cakes which were completely different to any rice cakes I’d had before, and they were delicious. I also loved the summer rolls that we started with, but my favourite dish over all were the caramelised pork ribs, which had been a favourite recreation at home.
The service was attentive and friendly but not pushy or overbearing and the atmosphere just the right amount of special occasion and casual.
This visit lived up to my dreams and I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in Sydney!

Great service and amazing, varied food. Luke Nguyen was even working the tables. Our waiter was very good even if we ignored his recommendations. We went for three entrees and two mains between two — the seared king fish was the highlight. Loved the bahn xeo too. A great food experience — authentic flavors with a modern twist on most dishes.

Way WAY upmarket Vietnamese food. Five stars for atmosphere and chic and élan and some other words that mean stylish that dont spring to mind.
Food is pretty much the same as Phamish but with some nice additions. I had the Gai Du Du which was exactly like Phamish’s papaya salad but twice the price.
I don’t mind because the pork was smoky and full of flavour and the chilli vinegar dressing was white hot and sweet and perfect.
I didn’t see any of the Nguyen clan or any chefs who have married into the Nguyen clan so I assume they have let someone else into the family’s secret recipe club?
A truly beautiful place and the food is fantastic — like I knew it would be!

Great banquet for our larger party of 12. Accomodating and friendly staff. Got to sample 9 courses of what seemed to be an endless tasting of dishes. We were stuffed before the last two courses + dessert came out. Had a few nice cocktails at the small bar out back for an hour or so before dinner. Would definitely go back!

Order the Auntie 5′ with pork. So delicious. The staff here is absolutely lovely and the food was grand. I ordered half the starters, a mid dish, and one main with my friend.
The fried squid came with an epic lemony, tangy and spicy sauce that rocked and was filled with peppery flavor. The squid was cooked well and the fried part reminded me of tempura but fluffier. Order the squid.
The rice cakes are something I would recommend to any meat eater and the vietnamese spring rolls that come with pork are yum.
My friend and I ordered the Malbec which was smoke and a bottle from Kangaroo Island it was a franc /​sangiovese which I didn’t love.
One thing that was mediocre was the steak, was missing a bit of sauce and the meat was over cooked.
Great date spot or group spot. Can be a bit pricey — my bill was about 300 for 2 people and 1 person who mainly just drank wine.

Definitely lived up to its reputation and fulfilled my Vietnamese cuisine expectations. I loved the cheery, fusion-​filled interior (a mix of modern and classic), and the golden-​red colour scheme!
The food was exquisite — every dish was so unique but flavoursome! And the service was fantastic as well!

I had pretty high expectations but unfortunately it didn’t live up to its reputation.
There were a couple of stand-​outs: the radish cakes with spicy peanut sauce and Vietnamese pancakes. Beautiful space and very nice ambience.
Sadly lacked the wow factor overall, given this price range.

In a nutshell: impressive. Vietnamese beers I had not tried (both 333 and Hanoi were delicious), adventurous cocktails (traditional also available), and impressive food (Banh Bot Chien is a must).
Went here with 4 other girls for a ladies dinner. We wound up having a couple drinks in the cocktail bar at the back (Red Lily) as the wine bar we had planned for was bursting at the doors.
Red Lily is dark and tiny, with all but a handful of the seats being at the bar. We arrived shortly after 7 for our 8.30 sitting. There were maybe 6 other patrons and 3 – 4 friendly bar tenders. By the time we received out first round, the place was packed. Service was friendly and informative. Cocktails were delicious (one of mine included tequila and mango with a Chili salt rim. Loved it!)
As we were in the building already, the staff came to collect us when the table was ready, with the added bonus of us being able to transfer our unfinished drinks — and our tab — to our dinner table.
We decided against the tasting menu and split 3 entrees, one mid course, and 3 mains between the 5 of us, which provided more than enough food. With the addition of dinner drinks (3 beers and a bottle of wine) the tab came in at a very reasonable $ 80/​pp (remember there were at least 7 cocktails @ $ 17/​per that were carried over).
As mentioned above, the Banh Bot Chien (rice cakes with prawn and pork) is a must. The Muc Raing Muoi (fried chilli salt squid) was delicious, and a generous serve. The Goi Du Du Tom Thit (green papaya salad with twice cooked pork belly and prawns) is also not to be passed over.
For mains we had the Ca Kho (salmon in a caramel, chili, and black pepper sauce) which was outstanding. We refused to let our server take the bowl away as we each had an extra serve of rice soaked in the remaining sauce.
The Vit Sot Man Gung Keo (duck with plumb sauce and candied ginger) was delicious, and again, a very generous portion — which is always a surprise with duck.
The Bo Luc Lac (beef with garlic, sesame and black pepper) was probably the least favourite, despite not having any faults. The beef was perfectly tender, but was simply out shined by the salmon and the duck.
Service was again friendly and knowledgable, although the waitress had to be reminded of a beer that had been ordered, but hey, that happens.
I had no idea what to expect coming here, and was very happy with the outcome. I have no problem recommending this place, and am excited for my next visit.

Service was a bit slow but the food made up for it.

Love the small, intimate cocktail bar at the back — enter from Crown Lane.
Passionate staff. Takes you back in time. Dark as. Perfect for those who want to duck out for a quick, lane way smoko outside.
Lost count of how many drinks I had. One of my friends thought I would not make it to the door at my house. Grateful for the lift.
Their iced tea, cosmopolitan, jam jar and mojito cocktails are a hit.
Love Vietnamese food. Beautiful squids and chicken rice paper rolls.
Came here for a private function in style recently.
Glad to be back on the Sydney social scene, and the multiple drinks took a slightly disappointing exam result out of my system. You only get hungover once after two months of not drinking anything alcoholic. Alas, was a bit too tipsy to take pictures this time for this place…

WOW… this place was amazing! I was so happy to be able to eat at one of Luke Nguyen’s restaurants. Every single dish was to die for and the service was incredible. They made accommodations for me since I have Celiac disease and didn’t just offer me a salad, which is what I absolutely HATE the most when I go out to eat and ask for gf options. I would definitely go back when I visit Sydney again!