Before Italy transformed itself into the Roman Empire, it was a single modest spaghetti stand with a big dream. Today's Groupon follows the noodle tendrils of Italy's culinary ambitions back to their roots. For $20, you get $40 worth of Italian cuisine and drinks at LoRusso's Cucina on The Hill. This Groupon is not valid on Saturday or holidays, though you're more than welcome to make up your own during your meal.

LoRusso's Cucina remains a family establishment down to its inviting dining atmosphere, warm orange walls, white tablecloths, and accommodating staff, who insist that you eat, eat, you're nothing but skin and bones. The chef learned how to turn fresh ingredients into piping plates of fresh pastas from his Sicilian nonno and nona, who arrived on the shores of The Hill in 1913 after their ship to Ellis Island got hopelessly lost. Lunch is prepared fresh Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., filling the restaurant with the melting aromas of meat-filled canneloni al forno ($9.99) and charbroiled chicken marsala in a wine sauce with mushrooms ($10.99). The dinner bell, meanwhile, calls forth a lineup that includes toasted raviolis ($7.99), slow-braised pork osso buco in a rosemary demi glaze ($21.99), and pescatore di linguine in a lobster tomato clam sauce ebullient with sea scallops, gulf shrimp, green lip mussels, and mushrooms ($17.99). Wine Spectator has also bestowed an award of excellence on LoRusso's selection of wines and cordials, so you're bound to find something that goes with anything.

A flavorful night out at LoRusso's makes a romantic way to celebrate post–Valentine's Day on your own saucy and belated terms. And if you bring three dates or more, you can combine two Groupons for $80 worth of food and drink to pair deliciously with the seething envy of your fellow diners.

Reviews

A Wine Spectator awardee, LoRusso's Cucina has been featured on Show Me St. Louis. ( Click upper left-hand corner to view video.) 10Best.com also lists it as one of the ten best Italian restaurants in St. Louis:

• Achieving that rare, successful balance between elegance and comfort, LoRusso's attracts couples looking for a romantic night out and families who come to enjoy the spacious dining area...Veal saltimbocca, chicken Teresa (breaded breast meat with broccoli, cheese, and white wine sauce), and linguine in tomato and lobster sauce are a few favorites. Interesting vegetarian dishes like butternut ravioli and eggplant lasagna promise flavor without meat. – 10Best.com

Yelpers and Citysearchers alike give LoRusso's a near-perfect 4.5 stars, and 87% of Urbanspooners like it:

• From appetizer to after dinner drinks, everything was delicious and the servings generous. Our glasses were never empty, the meal was presented beautifully and the [sic] each course was brought out in a timely fashion. The cioppino was very nice, the mushroom ravioli to die for, the tenderloin melted in our mouth. – LisaBSTL, Citysearch
• Service was perfect - always there when needed and timed just right. Not rushed through our meals...Bruschetta, salads, veal and eggplant were excellent - only wished we had saved room for the deserts. Can't wait to go back! – IllinoisAl, Citysearch