In a recently revealed da Vinci notebook, scholars found plans for the ultimate dining experience, nestled amongst drawings of fettuccini-powered helicopters and the earliest-known script of Jurassic Park. Experience the fruition of the Italian master’s vision with today’s Groupon. For $15, you get $30 worth of Italian cuisine and fine wine at Mezzo in the Gahanna Creekside development.

Warm, natural woods, terra cotta, wrought-iron fixtures, and exposed ceiling beams lend the upscale eatery an Old World charm studded with pops of contemporary green chairs, red lamp shades, and ethereal purple lights glowing above the bar. Overlooking scenic Big Walnut Creek and its surrounding park, the dining room is a romantic and comfortable spot for first dates that's free of the stuffy atmosphere and snooty waiters commonly associated with date-night fare. For an even better view and more intimate outing, hit the outdoor patio, where a fire pit casts flattering light and warm fuzzies on couples, old friends, and former P.E. teachers.

A mouthwatering seasonal menu features Mediterranean-leaning, traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist. All creations are made from scratch with top-quality ingredients, which taste roughly 50% better when described using Italian words. Flex your tongue before rolling your r's over the roasted vegetable flatbread ($11) with zucchini, grilled onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and marinara sauce, or pique your palate with a house salad ($6) that mixes crisp, fresh veggies with a light Gorgonzola vinaigrette. Traditional Italian entrees such as ricotta tortellini ($15) and pan-seared chicken scaloppini ($18) join creative dishes like the apple-stuffed pork filet ($21), a succulent cut cooked just until tender and served with whipped sweet potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and pancetta cream sauce.

Mezzo’s thick-crusted pizzas ($11–$12) reach bubbling perfection within a stone-hearth oven, and a selection from Mezzo’s excellent wine list can enhance a basil pesto margherita pie and decadent veal medallions in red-wine sauce ($24) alike. The knowledgeable wait staff will happily help you choose the pour that brings the subtleties of each dish to the tip of your tongue. You’ll find an impressive selection of Italian and other wines, with popular brands and hard-to-find boutiques well represented. Glasses run from $6 to $12, while many bottles fall within the $30 to $50 range.

Reviews

Columbus Alive featured Mezzo chef Magellan Moore:

• Magellan Moore oversees the Mediterranean-leaning menu at one of the neatest-looking restaurants around - Mezzo Italian Kitchen in Gahanna's Creekside development. – G.A. Benton

Sixty-five percent of Urbanspooners like Mezzo, and more than 115 OpenTable diners rate the handsome Italian eatery four stars:

• Atmosphere is great. They have 2 patios; one that is more casual, connected to the bar, another off the dinning area that looks over the water and has a nice outdoor fireplace. The dinning [sic] room is nice and the bar area has great comfortable booths and friendly bartenders. The food there is not only delicious, but a work of art. The staff is friendly, food is great, wine selection is large… – A.M.O., Urbanspoon
• I ate at Mezzo with 5 girlfriends - all of us are in our late 20s. The atmosphere of Mezzo is very hip, but cozy and comfortable. I really loved the atmosphere with eclectic tables, warm woodwork and modern lighting…The food was your pretty classic modern Italian - pasta, salads, pizza, etc - but very good. – OpenTable user who dined on 1/13/2010