Italian Eatery La Lanterna Softly Opens in Capitol Park on Wednesday

Downtown’s anticipated Italian restaurant reboot, La Lanterna, drops in Capitol Park this week. Owner Eddie Barbieri confirms to Eater today that the restaurant is set for a soft opening on Wednesday at 3 p.m. on the ground floor of The Albert next to City Bark and Go! Sy Thai.

Barbieri’s family owns multiple establishments under the Da Edoardo Restaurant Group umbrella including Foxtown Grille and Cafe Nini. The La Lanterna name is a revival of the group’s founding restaurant which operated in the nearby Malcomson Building from the mid ‘50s through the ‘60s. The 2,000-square-foot space seats roughly 57 patrons.

The menu will feature northern Italian-inspired fare including more than 10 thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and salads as well as a full bar.

Barbieri says the restaurant will initially operate for dinner-only and expects to host a grand opening event in the next few weeks. La Lanterna will eventually expand into lunch service.

This is the latest restaurant recruit hit downtown this season. Avalon Cafe & Bakery debuts on Thursday just around the corner, while both Prime + Proper and Eatori Market are expected to arrive this spring.

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