Archestratus, the first food critic, praised Italian cuisine's use of "top-quality and seasonal" ingredients and its "fair-to-middling" ability to tranquilize out-of-control mayors. Today's Groupon similarly stuns, and rightfully so: for $25, you get $50 worth of Italian fare and drinks at Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret, located in The Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island.

Lorenzo’s pasta personnel dish out fresh Italian-inspired eats in an elegant, inviting interior. Pop in for dinner to dive into starters such as the french onion soup ($6) or the zuppa di mussels, which swims with sautéed shallots and pinot-grigio roasted tomato broth ($14). The gnocchi bolognese ($16), unlike decorating windows with childhood shower curtains, is a fine way to exhibit good taste to a new neighbor, as is the porcini-mushroom-bedecked veal chop, which comes sidekicked with parmigiano-crusted steak fries ($35). Sweet melodies from live musicians often complement the harmonious flavors at Lorenzo’s; check out the calendar to stay abreast of the restaurant’s ongoing events.

Reviews

Zagat rated the food and service very good to excellent and the décor extraordinary to perfection. Three TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl eyes:

• Forget about Atlantic City” [sic]– this “upscale” Staten Islander in Bloomfield’s Hilton Garden Inn hosts cabaret shows on select Fridays to supplement its well-rated Italian menu – Zagat