For $20, today's side deal gets you $40 worth of upscale Italian fare and drinks at Montenapo Ristorante Della Moda in the New York Times Building.

A perfectly cast spot for a pre- or post-theater meal thanks to its prime location, Montenapo takes its name from a stylish Milan thoroughfare. Start a tour of chef Carlo Apolloni's pan-Italian menu with antipastos such as filet mignon carpaccio with polenta tuile and arugula ($18) and polipetti alla griglia (grilled octopus with frisse salad, fennel, and fava beans) ($19). Ravioli d’ aragosta comes stuffed with lobster and brandy-paprika sauce ($28), and the ravioli di fagiano and scamorzza affumicata contains poach guinea hen and pecorino tuscano ($26). For a different permutation of pasta, try the paccheri ($20), which partners tubular noodles with cherry tomatoes and n'duja Calabria sausage. Shepherds can send disobedient followers a deliciously menacing message with Costolette d’agnello (Colorado rack of lamb) ($35) or curry favor with the flock by ordering a bistecca Newyorchese a 16-ounce grilled sirloin steak with braised endive and potato cake ($45). Montenapo's full bar slings specialty cocktails to keep thirsts on the defensive and, and the 23-foot-high ceilings paired with floor-to-ceiling windows give claustrophobic taste buds ample space and natural light in which to relax.

Reservations required.

Reviews

Montenapo gets a four-star average from Yelpers, a 3.5-star average from OpenTablers, and an A- for the food on the New York Buzz blog.

• I would definitely recommend Montenapo for a special night out on the town, or even a business luncheon. Just make sure you leave room for dessert. – Termeh Mazhari, New York Buzz
• The dining experience at Montenapo was excellent. Setting was very attractive, in a high-ceilinged spacious room overlooking the atrium of the NYTimes building. – An OpenTable.com User who dined on 08/25/2010