The first European explorers set sail with hopes of finding new, exotic spices to placate the palates of epicurious monarchs, but all they found were heaps of boring, inedible gold. Pick up where they left off by broadening your mouth's horizons with today's Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of upscale American cuisine and drinks at Dan McGee Restaurant in Frankfort.

Chef Dan McGee has worked in Paris, Switzerland, and Peru as well as spending time in the states at restaurants such as Charlie Trotters. Using fresh ingredients to create the dishes that grace the seasonal menu, Chef McGee whips up tongue-tapping appetizers such as duck confit ravioli with sautéed spinach and balsamic apples ($9) and a goat cheese gratin with ratatouille and a garlic crostini ($8). An asparagus soup with oregano and feta cheese is gracefully poured tableside, and can then be smoothly poured into your mouth tureen ($7). Entrees include the grilled fillet of beef, which nestle next to potato truffle risotto and asparagus ($29), while the crab and horseradish crusted tilapia swims alongside jasmine rice and champagne sauce ($19). Staple yourself down to a seat at the bar and peep through the kitchen window to watch chefs summon ingredients by waving their spatula wands, or order a libation from the full bar, which features specialty martinis and more than 50 wines, as well as microbrews, domestics, and imports.

Although located in a mild-mannered strip mall, Dan McGee Restaurant's interior boasts a contemporary, elegant décor crafted by Tom Nahabedian, designer of Naha. Dan McGee Restaurant is closed Mondays and reservations are recommended, so be sure to call or send word with skywriting.

Reviews

Chicago magazine featured Dan McGee Restaurant. Zagat and the Frankfort Station reviewed the restaurant. Four Yelpers give the restaurant an average of 3.5 stars, and 91% of Urbanspooners recommend it:

• McGee’s menu has some interesting twists, like grilled halibut served on Asiago mashed potatoes with mushroom-shrimp compote. – Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby, Chicago
• Champions cheer “chef Dan gets it” by dishing out “top-notch”, “amply portioned” “American fare” (including “spot-on desserts”) with “cocktails and service” to match at this Frankfort “find”; “comfortable” yet “sophisticated” “minimalist” decor “rounds out the experience”, which South Suburbanites swear “saves the trip Downtown for comparable cuisine.” – Zagat