Before the mainstreaming of haute cuisine, quality dining was once a privilege only for friends of professional chefs, their mothers, and the lucky silverware. Today's Groupon gives discerning palates a taste of the good stuff: for $25, you get $50 worth of upscale cuisine and drinks at Braise Food & Wine in central London. Nestled in the newly renovated Hotel Metro, Braise concocts thoughtful seasonal dishes with fresh and natural ingredients against a backdrop of warm, casual elegance. Mouths scheme to become one with the menu's bison carpaccio ($13) before taking in the essences of the dry-aged rib eye with creamy bone marrow, vegetables, and sauce bordelaise ($35), all pairable with a choice from Braise's wine regiment, which checks in at more than 500 members strong. Diners of the herbivorous persuasion can coddle the six-course vegetarian tasting menu ($75) in their bellies as a prelude to the signature made-to-order donuts, filled with the uncompromising nectars of sweet-potato maple, strawberry-rhubarb jam, chocolate, and buttermilk.

Reviews

Restaurantica reviewers give Braise Food & Wine an average of 4.5 stars:

• I can't recommend this restaurant enough. If you enjoy food you'll enjoy the flavours, atmosphere and friendly staff at Braise. – AmyP