Like rainbows, kitten whiskers, and the tears of enemies, fine food should always be savored. Prolong the magic with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of traditional American cuisine at The Standard at the Smith House on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard.

The Standard at the Smith House blends bygone refinement with contemporary cuisine at its home in the heart of Nashville. Chef Joe Shaw and his crack squad of flavor wizards breathe life into delicious edibles at each night's reservation-only dinner. After perusing the menu, fire the dinnertime starting pistol with the beef Carpaccio ($12), which marries the tenderness of raw meat with the eye-opening tang of lemon citronette, or opt for the autumn strudel ($9), a savory pastry that stimulates sluggish tongues and provides out-of-work mushrooms with a warm bed for the night. Entrees range from the classic offerings such as seared duck breast with grits and grilled plums ($26) to comforting regional favorites. The shrimp and crayfish etouffee ($28) with basmati rice pilaf merges Bourbon Street sensibilities with Bollywood ingredients better than a sari-clad jazz band. It is also open for lunch.

The Standard at the Smith house features an extensive wine list, offering Old and New World libations by the glass and bottle. Diners take their meals in the historic Smith House, an 1840s Italianate townhouse replete with authentic period design and architecture.

Reviews

Yelpers give Standard at the Smith House a near-perfect 4.5-star average. Citysearchers give it an average of four stars. TripAdvisors give it an average of 3.5 owl eyes.

• Utterly fantastic. From the moment we walked in the door, we were treated to one of the best dining experiences I've had in Nashville. – Jamie A., Yelp
• This place is a jewel. The setting is fabulous, the service warm and accommodating, and the food is just perfect. ¬ Wanderlust777, TripAdvisor