The communal act of dining is a natural survival method for humans, for if we didn't practice passing the butter dish, we would buckle under the weight of medium-sized side dishes and heftier entrees. Protect your tablecloth with today's Groupon: for $7, you get $15 worth of gourmet comfort food and drinks at Mayberry, conveniently located downtown, or fresh fusion fare at World Food Bar in historic Findlay Market.

Conceptualized by Chef Joshua Steven Campbell, a Cincinnati native, Mayberry and World Food Bar bring creative tastes to the community without ever pressuring the community to adopt creative eating techniques in return—traditional methods such as teeth and forks are acceptable. Mayberry's modest, warm atmosphere invites patrons to feast on fancified versions of classic comfort food such as the Sloppy Josh sandwich (slow-cooked beef with rosemary and spicy mustard, $7) for lunch, paired with a tater-tot casserole ($3). Transitioning palates to dinner hour are elegant small plates such as pepper-bacon-wrapped pork medallions sweetly accompanied by barbecue chickpeas and goat cheese ($10) and the restaurant's herbed flatbread with guava, kalamata olives, and feta cheese, which can be made with lamb or with minted tofu for vegetarians ($10).

World Food Bar's menu of fresh eclectic fare is created using organic and local ingredients. Vietnamese shredded pork with pickled-vegetable slaw and tamarind sauce comes to your table cozily cradled in a warm baguette ($6.95); wisely wash it down with creamy slurps of curried pumpkin soup ($4.25). Take a meat-free whole-wheat couscous salad to go, tossed with roasted local veggies, mixed greens, and a lemon-ginger vinaigrette ($5.95), or rev your step's pep with the protein power of citrus-and-mint-roasted lamb shoulder or 24-hour slow-cooked sweet-and-sour short ribs (prices vary). The renewed blush in your cheeks after a hearty, exotically spiced meal at World Food Bar will especially pop against the restaurant's elegant white tablecloths.

This Groupon is valid in-store only.

Reviews

World Food Bar was recommended by 94% of Urbanspooners, positively reviewed by CityBeat, and featured in UrbanCincy. Mayberry earned raves from The Food Hussy! blog, and Yelpers give it 4.5 stars:

• It’s not surprising that the food was excellent, knowing chef/owner Joshua Campbell’s extensive background working in some of the finest restaurants in Cincinnati, Florida and the Bahamas. – Brian Cross, CityBeat
• I am by no means a food critic, but this meal was fantastic. – Jenny Kessler, UrbanCincy
• I think Mayberry is a great addition to the downtown dining options. I actually waited a while to post this hoping that I could relaunch the fervor that was happening a couple weeks ago. – Heather, The Food Hussy!