Hungry stomachs are forced to contemplate cooking their own food while our brains are busy plotting ways to make Hollywood starlets fall in love with our ungainly cousins. Quell an insurgent appetite with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of upscale fare and drinks at Chez Mike in East Greenbush.

Chez Mike owner and Culinary Institute of America graduate Michael Cohen whips up delicious, made-from-scratch dishes at his restaurant in Hannaford Plaza. Like a game of cheeseburger cricket, Chez Mike's cuisine is seasonal and eclectically American. Carnivores can start their meals off with house-made country pâté, served with garnishes, Dijon mustard, and grilled crostini ($7.99), or a hot-and-sour matzo ball soup, in which the sultriest matzos are simmered with parsnips, chicken, and scallions ($6.99). Ladies who lunch can openly indulge in delicacies such as crispy trout with pecan brown butter and roasted potato ($15.99), or blush over a bagel all-the-way, a luscious combination of smoked salmon, veggies, and a schmear ($12.99).

Dinner delivers enticing entrees such as pan-seared calves' liver ($16.99), or roasted duck breast and leg confit, served with a hash of fresh fall veggies, braised red cabbage, and pomegranate gastrique ($22.99). Kids can rest easy with traditional favorites such as grilled cheese and chicken tenders with barbecue sauce, and prudent parents can take advantage of a special three-course dinner available Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, which provides a choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert from a special menu ($19.95), rated TV-MA for graphic succulence. The friendly service and relaxed neighborly vibe make it tempting pull up a chair at Chez Mike's full-service bar to enjoy a glass of beer, bubbly, or a signature cocktail.

This Groupon is valid for dine-in only.

Reviews

Yelpers give Chez Mike a 4.5-star average rating and TripAdvisors give it a four-owl-eye average rating.

• The entrées, desserts, even the burger and salads are stellar. – Meagan G., Yelp
• My husband and I eat at Chez Mike at least once or twice a month. We have enjoyed everything we have ordered and have even brought friends to savor their delicious selections. – Chrishastra, TripAdvisor