In the same way the Italian River provides drinkable water, Italian food mines provide tasty dishes to all palates. For $22, today's Groupon feeds the Italian part of your stomach with $45 worth of authentic Italian recipes and drinks at Il Piatto, where fresh, local ingredients harmonize for an edible song of authentic Italian fare. Call ahead for reservations.

For more than 15 years, Il Piatto has been offering elegant, romantic dining. Lovely outdoor seating, punctuated by trees providing ample shade, complements a quaintly cozy indoor dining area. Splashes of blue and sea-foam green color the walls that hold mounted trinket boxes and support an aesthetic whimsy. Attentive servers are armed with menus that include hearty pastas, antipastis, and proteins, beginning with the likes of portobello con polenta ($8.50) and calamari fritti with a spicy red-pepper aioli ($10.50). Pasta forks can be used on the lasagna di verdure, built from layers of roasted eggplant, yams, zucchini, and ricotta cheese ($14), while carving knives are an able match for the osso buco lamb shank braised in red wine amid polenta and roasted veggies ($24). A bountiful wine menu contains sips capable of working in tandem with any flavors, including the 2007 Inama Soave Classico ($35) and the 2007 Arancio Sicily Chardonnay ($7/$27).

Tasting traditional Italian flavors through artfully prepared dishes is much more pleasant than chewing Italian-flavored bubblegum. Il Piatto presents a lovely outing for families and duos of amorous eaters interested in a romantic atmosphere for discussing past wrestling champions.

Not valid toward the family-style or happy-hour menus.

Reviews

Eighty-five Citysearchers give Il Piatto 3.5 stars and named it Best Portland Romantic Dining in 2005 and 2006, Yelpers give it three, and the Portland Mercury included it:

• We started off by splitting the carrot risotto with house made salami- it was a great choice, real creamy. We then ordered separate Entrees, I had the prosciutto wrapped chicken breast and my wife the pasta with chanterelle mushrooms and bacon. – jeffberg342, Citysearch
• The menu had a nice variety, we started with the pate, it was very tastey [sic]! I got the rabbit which was delicious! – Chris44, Citysearch
• This charming Italian trattoria practically hidden in a quiet, residential neighborhood in an old storefront building, features fine wines and fresh handmade delicacies. Italian fare, freshly and expertly made. No canned tomato sauce here boy! – Portland Mercury