Red Lantern Lights Up, Adds Chinese Food Offering to Long Valley

Restaurant Village strives for authenticity, and its newest endeavor may be as close to “home” as one can get.

Red Lantern Chinese Restaurant is coming to Long Valley, filling the space formerly occupied by Pandan Fusion Lounge. The Village’s owners, Steve Bussel and Andrea Maletta-Bussel decided to take matters into their own hands and fill the space with what they believed would be a successful eatery.

“We think traditional Chinese food may be more appreciated and familiar in Long Valley,” Maletta-Bussel said after Pandan closed in late October. Back then, however, opening the new restaurant was just an idea.

The idea has come to fruition now, as opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10. But that all depends on the availability of the new restaurant’s two chefs.

The men behind the pans have been recruited from Chinatown in Manhattan, Maletta-Bussel said, and will take the reigns on cooking. The duo has helped design the menu and will offer traditional Chinese food with a Hong Kong style. There will also be some Thai dishes available, Maletta-Bussel said.

The interior of the restaurant has a vintage Chinese feel, as designed by Maletta-Bussel, and can seat 46 people. The restaurant will also offer a full bar.

“It has a really cool feel to it,” she said. “It’s definitely got a new touch.”

Pricing is competitive, with entrees ranging from $8 to $15.

Red Lantern will open Tuesday night for eat-in and take out. The restaurant will then be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new offering now joins the Long Valley Pub and Brewery, Andrea’s Dining Room, and the Café & Wine Bar at the corner of Fairmount Road and East Mill Road.