One of the cardinal rules of a party is "Always have more than enough food for everyone," a rule superseded only by "Never mix alcohol with access to a particle accelerator." Secure sustenance for all revelers with today’s Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of homemade Italian-American cuisine and drinks to Balagio Ristorante in Homewood.
Led by owner Mike Galderio, Balagio Ristorante unites families and friends around fresh-made pasta, breads, sauces, soups, and a trove of different wines. For lunch, guests can conquer stomach pangs with a selection of salads, signature pasta dishes, or handheld eats, including the 8 oz. black angus burger, served with fresh mushrooms and mozzarella on a brioche bun ($7.95). Evening-time guests, on the other hand, can peruse or origami-fold a dinner menu brimming with chicken, seafood, and pasta entrees. Start with an appetizer of baked eggplant marinara ($7.95) or crispy fried calamari ($8.95). Move on to classic tossed pasta dishes, such as the Hay & Straw spinach-and-egg fettucine ($12.95), or savory chicken entrees, such as the signature scaloppine Balagio-style , served with a side of braised escarole ($12.95). Browse a selection of veal, chops, and steak fresh-cut daily, or kick back with a bottled beer or martini, such as the Midnight in Rome.
Inside Balagio, guests dine amidst the glow of soft lighting and flat-screen TVs, while floor-to-ceiling windows volunteer ample views of swaying trees and prowling meatball burglars. A wall of wine offers ample beverage choices, and live entertainment also adds to the restaurant's warm and jovial atmosphere.