Pastas, like balloons, come in a variety of colors, a variety of shapes, and are traditionally handmade by birthday clowns. Dine in classical style with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of fast Italian fare at Lilly's Gourmet Pasta Express in its Mission Hill location.

Lilly's Gourmet Pasta Express curbs gourmet cravings quickly with fast, fresh, and flavorful fare made from durum wheat semolina and all-natural ingredients. Meals can take a seafaring start with Maryland crab cakes ($4.95) and follow with a savory sandwich on a foot-long artisan baguette, such as the prosciutto and mozzarella sub topped with fresh tomato and basil pesto ($6.95). Heartier helpings include lobster ravioli reclining in a flavor jacuzzi of decadent lump-crab cream sauce ($12.95), and chicken marsala with sautéed mushrooms, ham, and breaded chicken doused in a sweet marsala wine sauce and served over a choice of pasta ($10.95).

Adventure-hungry pasta barons can create their own dish ($7.95–$8.95) by beginning with a noodly base such as spaghetti, fusilli, gnocchi, or four-cheese tortellini; dousing it in a sauce choice such as garlic alfredo, tomato and basil, scampi, or saltimbocca; and then jumping out of a plane.