Eating seasonally requires diners and restaurateurs to tune into nature's directives, a set of rules laid out by the Earth's wobbling axis and equally unstable weather wizards. Delight in the freshness forged from Mother Nature's commands with today's Groupon for a three-course seafood prix fixe dinner for two at Chef Tony's on St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda. Choose between two options:

• For $40, you get a prix fixe dinner for two Sunday–Thursday (up to a $114 value).
• For $50, you get a prix fixe dinner for two Friday or Saturday (up to a $114 value).

Chef Tony's frequently changing, Mediterranean-inspired menu makes use of the freshest seasonal and local seafood, meats, and produce. With the three-course prix fixe dinner, couples or platonic twosomes sink teeth into two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts from a specially appointed menu. Although the offerings may change with the seasons and availability, diners typically will be able to feast on entrees such as whole grilled bronzini or pan-seared large sea scallops. The nuevo frutti di mari infuses spicy marinara with a maritime musketeer alliance of pan-roasted mussels, shrimp, and crab. Before munching on main dishes, diners can test teeth on starters and tapas such as calamari, marinated Spanish olives with hummus, and a wild-mushroom sauté. The prix fixe meals are finished with taste-bud-tempting desserts including twin italian cannoli with sweet ricotta cheese seeking refuge inside a chocolate shell.

Chef Tony's is named after its owner and 23-year veteran chef, Tony Marciante, who was born in Milan, Italy, but grew up in Bethesda. Tony welcomes diners with an atmosphere awash in gentle jazz and a muted glow from an array of colorful lights and collection of bottled sunsets.