With the national and local economy seemingly stuck in neutral, Belmont residents will be happy to know they can still wine and dine themselves for $25 this season with dishes that stand up to the crisp fall weather.

Savinos Grill's Bites & Flights, the updated autumn tapas menu that can be indulged in at the open-spaced modern bar of the Tuscan-inspired restaurant, pairs three plentiful nibbles of mini-sized plates with a choice of three wines for an affordable price considering the atmosphere and quality of food.

Those wanting to relax after work, can still come in to enjoy the usual suspects like bruschetta with goat cheese, prosciutto and sun dried tomatoes, can find comfort on a chilly autumn night with steamy dishes of white bean ragú.

The soft beans, and crunchy baby carrots have a hearty kick of rosemary and pancetta. The ragú, meaning sauce, is a creamy blend of beans, vegetables and basil oil, would go well with a sauvignon blanc or Pinot grigio, said Tom Cutrone.

Chef and owner of the Cushing Square restaurant, Cutrone shines a light on the sometimes-ignored root vegetables. He mixes carrots with their sweeter cousin the parsnips. Roasting them, with red onions, brings out their natural sweetness and flavor.

A dish from rustic Italy

Unlike some vegetarian plates, this one reminds me of rustic Italian dishes: make a dense, filling and simple meal out of whatever is on hand during the harsh fall and winter months.

I found the black lentils to be a meaty and fascinating choice to be eaten with the pan-seared scallop. I believe that Cutrone normally pairs with a couscous. Both are high in protein and low in fat.

Cutrone blanched the seeds instead of cooking them in a long boil, resulting in firm seeds that hold up with the buttery scallop. 

But the twist is in how he prepared the polenta. He blended corn meal with squash resulting in a smooth texture. The butternut squash is the most enjoyable and representative fall dish. The polenta has a zing of nutmeg and pistachio. It lies on a thin film of nutmeg cream sauce.

It's a sweet ending for the three-plate mini course for those who are watching their wallets and waist, but may still want to satisfy their sweeter side. 

Savinos' wine list has more than 40 labels to choose from to join the tapas, including the Napa-Valley based Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The Bites and Flights menu is offered from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.