How did the group settle on $25? (In Philadelphia, it's $30; in New York City, it's $30.03) "That was a big conversation," said Olson. "We wanted to find an amount that would be considered a value in Salt Lake City but that the restaurants could do."

For instance, the three-course offering from her restaurant, the Metropolitan, would cost $45 if ordered separately on the regular menu. For the first course, diners can choose between Tomato Rum Bisque or Ragout of Wild Mushrooms with Pecorino Cheese. The second course is a choice of New Zealand Sea Trout with Arugula & Heirloom Tomatoes, Idaho Pork Tenderloin with Fingerling Potatoes and Spinach, or Beef Hanger Steak with Blue Cheese Butter and Lemon Thyme Mashed Potatoes. For dessert, it's either Apple Crisp with Ginger Ice Cream and Chocolate Ganache, or Chocolate Mousse with Oven-Roasted Bananas and Macadamia Nut Brittle.

The Oasis Cafe's $25 dinner for two is half-price from the regular menu, said owner Joel LaSalle. The choice of entrees includes Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Chicken, Baked Vegetable Spring Rolls, and Portobello Mushroom-

Stuffed Ravioli. When asked if the restaurant can afford to give that kind of a deal, he said, "It's an investment that we are making in the community. We believe that once they come in and try our fabulous food, they will be back."

The Italian chain Buca Di Beppo is also offering a dinner for two for $25: a choice of four different salads, six different entrees (Chicken with Lemon, Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmigiana, Shrimp Parmigiana, Pork Chops Siciliano or Chicken Parmigiana), and three kinds of pasta.

"As is our style, it's lots of food and fun," said Buca's managing partner Don Leader. "I'm excited to see all the involvement from the variety of restaurants in this event."

For new businesses, it's a chance to let diners know you exist. Brandon Howard, chef and partner of Panini, said the restaurant opened two months ahead of time to take part in the Dine O' Round event.

"People don't know we're here yet," he said of the eatery on the second floor of the Wells Fargo Building. "We were planning to open in October, but we pushed it to August so we'd be fully prepared for this promotion."

Panini is offering an appetizer (crab cakes or salmon bruschetta) soup or salad, any entree and any dessert on the menu, for $25. Normally, this could run you between $30-$38.

"This is a chance to show people there is a life downtown and to focus on the positive things going on here," he said. "There are so many quality restaurants in this area, but they can only exist when the sales volume is there. I think this will become an annual event that will be very exciting for this city for a long time to come."

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