Although they're called taste buds, without proper attention, they can easily turn into viciously passive aggressive taste frenemies. Keep your tongue from gossiping behind your back by treating it to today's Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of locally inspired cuisine and drinks at Boot Local Kitchen and Wine Bar, located in Norfolk.

The Boot sources its fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms to ensure that customers are never faced with a plate of summer squash with frostbite or snow peas with suntans. The restaurant's evolving menu is infused with French and Italian influences, but it maintains its true footing in Virginia virtues. This summer's savory starters ($6–$15) include summer tomato salad with basil, aged balsamic, and mozzarella; the grilled calamari packed with shrimp, orange, black olives, basil, and zucchini; and the Eastern-shore middleneck clams steamed in tomato-pepper broth with grilled bread. For dinner ($17–$26), anchor your mouth bones into the crispy fried chicken leg with a stuffed tomato of fregola, corn, garlic, and basil, or get a meatless mouthful of local veggies as served on the chef's vegetable sampler. For a comforting punch of protein, opt for the grilled rib-eye steak with sweet-potato fries and Boot's special sauce.

Boot's bounty of regional rations is appropriately rinsed down with the suds of 12 local brews on tap, a long list of elegant wines, and palate-cleansing cocktails made with freshly squeezed juices. Savor your sips as you catch up with your elementary-school librarian over an appetizer, or stay refreshed in between courses as you tap your toes to the sounds of live music. Reservations are required, so call ahead to plan your rendezvous with native noshins at The Boot.

This Groupon cannot be used in combination with other offers or on half-price wine nights.

Reviews

Boot Local Kitchen and Wine Bar received an excellent review from the Virginian-Pilot's HamptonRoads.com and a feature in Veer magazine. OpenTable reviewers give Boot a 3.7-star average. Yelpers give it a 3.5-star average, and nine TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl eyes. Seventy-two percent of more than 100 Urbanspooners recommend Boot.

• The Boot's approach to supporting local producers, restaurants, musicians and other businesses really puts it in a special league. On top of that, the menu is interesting and the food very good. – Jerry Cronin, HamptonRoads.com
• Wonderful dining experience with great organic food from local farms. – An OpenTable reviewer who dined on 05/01/2010
• I do love eating here. Always good food, great wine selection and even love the bread they serve. – Clair M., Yelp
• The Boot cares about the world that we live in. – Beth Wedgewood, Urbanspoon