Hungry fishermen are known to bend down by the waterside to let minnows, eager to escape life in a small pond, leap into their open mouths. Dine on a fish that made it to the big city with today's Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of fine steakhouse fare and seafood at Ryan's Restaurant-Steaks-Chops-Seafood in Winston-Salem.

Ryan's intimate, upscale surf-and-turfery lures fine diners with its gourmet starters, hearty soups, succulent steaks, fresh seafood, and other carnivorous delights. Signature menu offerings include the bemonocled oysters Rockefeller ($11.95), grouper Key West (with roasted new potatoes and fresh asparagus, $28.75), and the steak au poivre, a pan-sautéed pedestal of bovine decadence with classic cognac cream sauce ($32.95). Meal toppers include a gooey, delectable slice of southern-style pecan pie ($6.25) and caffeinated pick-me-ups such as Ryan's cappuccino (with cocoa and cinnamon, $4.95) or the sprightlier Irish coffee (with Old Bushmill's Irish whiskey, $6.95).

Twilight tasters who wish to revel in Ryan's particular brand of hunting-lodge elegance can quaff an imaginative mixed drink, fine spirit, or wine as they knock back an eyeful of the serene woodland view. Or they can skip up to the Starlight Deck for idyllic views of the moon's dainty tears.

Reviews

Frommer's highly recommends Ryan's Restaurant-Steaks-Chops-Seafood, OpenTable reviewers give an average of 4.7 stars, and TripAdvisors give it an average of four. Ninety percent of Urbanspooners like it:

• In a wooded setting overlooking a stream, Ryan's is rustic in decor but has a truly sophisticated Continental menu. Dishes are executed with polished technique. Beef dishes are specialties, as are some excellent seafood creations. – Frommer's
• Food was great and the service was excellent. It was about a 40 minute drive for us and we'll be going back. – OpenTable.com user who dined on 05/09/2010
• Great place for special occasions. Best steak in town. – A TripAdvisor reviewer on Facebook
• Great!!! This place was great. I've eaten all over the country and this was one of the best ny strips I've ever ate. Melt in your mouth good. – Brendon, Urbanspoon