Adding gourmet ingredients to a meal makes a commonplace activity feel special, much like brushing your teeth with a sparkler or withdrawing money from an ATM while holding it at gunpoint. Liven up an eating outing with today's Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of Italian food and drinks at Il Piccolo Ristorante in Johnston.

Il Piccolo Ristorante's menu is a cornucopia of traditional Tuscan fare. Initiate a feast with bruschetta del nord—italian toast capped in roasted eggplant, tomato, and pecorino cheese ($6.50 dinner, $5.95 lunch)—or pan-fried calamari fritters ($9.95), which perform well with a red or white accompanist from the extensive wine list or a cocktail from the fully stocked bar. The fettuccine pollo e timo ($15.95 dinner, $9.95 lunch) is a popular feeding choice, and bellies can admirably accessorize their inner chambers with tortellini katiuscia, an imported dish whose pasta purses are filled with mild blue cheese and ensconced in creamy vodka pink sauce ($14.95 dinner, $9.50 lunch). Gnocchi piemontese pampers taste buds with a soothing massage of house-made chive ricotta pasta, mushrooms, herbs, tomato sauce, parmigiano, and mozzarella carefully forged from curds ($14.95 dinner, $9.50 lunch).

Weekend breakfast and brunch rounds out Il Piccolo's program of potential dining adventures. Located a mere six-mile trek west of Providence, Il Piccolo offers an alternate yet equally delicious destination for those who long for the piquant flavors of Tuscany but just missed the last zip-line to Italy.

Reviews

Eighty percent of Urbanspooners recommend Il Piccolo Ristorante, and four Yelpers give it a 4.5-star average:

• It is the real deal, authentic Italian food and the serving staff are always attentive and professional. – Christine R., Yelp, 11/12/10
• Very friendly service, broad range of wine selections. – paula c., Yelp, 8/19/09