Although Italians originally invented pasta as a fastener to keep Sicily from floating away, they abandoned it for less-delicious moorings after locals on both sides kept snacking their way toward separation. Tether your taste buds to today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of Italian fare at Pranzo Italian Grill, located on the western edge of Santa Fe’s Historic District.
Pranzo Italian Grill treats lunchers and diners to authentic Italian fare. Lunch offers pizza pepperoni with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni ($14.45), which can be paired with insalata mista, whose green mixture is decked out with toasted pine nuts, tomato, and sweet red onion ($7.95). For dinner, sip a mochaccino ($4.25) while snacking on cozze con finocchio, an antipasto dish of black Mediterranean mussels soaking in a saffron-garlic broth ($10.95). Lasagna Bolognese keeps guests satisfied with layers of pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, meatballs, Bolognese, and marinara ($16.95), and gnocchi astice fills stomachs with house-made gnocchi and lobster among bacon, chili flakes, garlic, peas, and saffron cream ($25.95).
Pranzo Italian Grill’s ambience is often punctuated by the professional piano plunking of David Geist, who played keys for Broadway’s Cats and Pat Boone's book tour. He makes appearances for the Geist Cabaret, which is held on Pranzo’s upstairs terrace ($2 cover charge applies for guests 13 and older). Reservations are not required, but are strongly recommended to avoid not making reservations.
This Groupon is not valid for alcohol.
Reviews
Frommer's recommends Pranzo Italian Grill. TripAdvisors give Pranzo Italian Grill an average of 3.5 owl eyes and OpenTable reviewers give it a 3.9-star average rating.
- This restaurant had everything you would want; great service, great food, and great environment. – jasiowa, TripAdvisor
- The menu and wine list are very impressive, I would have to return many time to get a true feel for all they have to offer. – OpenTable reviewer who dined on 7/30/10