Unlike pond swimming and Ring Around the Tetherball Pole, intergalactic exploration is highly recommended on a full stomach. Fuel endeavors of all levels with today's deal: for $20, you get $40 worth of homemade meals and cool libations at Over the Moon Cafe on Opera Alley. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the cafe offers ample savory fare paired with an extensive wine menu that dually pleases any split appetite.

The restaurant's cuisine unites European cuisine with local flair, successfully recreating the award-winning fare of Pangaea. Evening supper bells resound above a menu stocked with refreshing small plates, pastas, and entrees. Quickly quell rumblings with starting rounds of wild-rice crab cakes with shallots, red bell pepper, and a remoulade for dipping ($15) or taco salad with wild halibut cheeks on a bed of mixed greens with tangy cilantro dressing ($14). For larger hankerings, the kitchen turns out hot plates of bourbon-glazed, pan-seared wild-salmon filet with a drizzling of bourbon-lime-soy-garlic sauce ($22). Lunch is also served from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and desserts like German chocolate cake ($6) are served all day.

Over the Moon Cafe hosts a cozy and welcoming dining atmosphere graced by warm brick walls under the cool glow of orange lighting. Dark wooden tables and chairs nestle below ballooning lamps, whose fabric tassels graciously point their noses in the direction of sumptuous meals as a sign of mealtime respect. The warmhearted colorscape extends to red-tinged portraits of vintage wine bottles that hang in a diner's periphery, whispering intoxicating suggestions like "Try me" or "Pick a card, any card." Accompany artful libations with a tangible counterpart, like the smooth Palladio chianti from Italy ($8 a glass) or the rich tannins of the 2005 Stonecap cabernet sauvignon from Washington's own Columbia Valley ($7 a glass), among many others.

Call ahead to make your reservation. This Groupon is not valid February 12-14, 2011.

Reviews

Yelpers give Over the Moon Cafe an average of four stars. Four Citysearchers give an average of four, TripAdvisors give it an average 4.5 owl eyes, and 76% of Urbanspooners like it.

• If you want an intimate dining experience and a lovely meal there is just no other place. I love walking through the door knowing I am going to have a great meal in a perfect setting created by someone who is passionate about food. – jarmitage, TripAdvisor
• Over the moon cafe is a small, intimate, cafe that you would never know is there unless someone has told you about it. Make sure to make reservations; limited seating. Great food and service! – Katie K., Citysearch