Navigation tips for Salt Lake City's Dine O'Round

It's back. The annual Downtown Spring Dine O'Round takes place April 16-May 1, with 37 Salt Lake City restaurants participating.

The biggest news is that six restaurants will be offering a two-item lunch for just $5.

Participating restaurants offer a prix fixe, three-course dinner for $15 or $30 per person, in addition to the regular menu. Many of the restaurants will also offer a two-item lunch for $10.

New participants this year are Bayleaf Café, Copper Canyon Grill House & Tavern, The Copper Onion, The Green Pig Pub, Naked Fish Japanese Bistro, Robin's Nest, SkyBox Sports Grill and Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill.

Some readers have asked what a "prix-fix" or "fixed-price" dinner is. In fast-food speak, it's a "combo meal." Usually, the soup or salad, entrée and dessert, if ordered separately, would end up costing a lot more than the $15 or $30.

Why the two-tier prices? The $30 dinners are from the higher-end restaurants; the less expensive restaurants are charging $15.

Every year, I like to offer a few tips for navigating the Dine O'Round.

1. Drinks, tips and tax aren't included in the price.

2. The price is only good for the restaurant's Dine O'Round "special," although many restaurants offer two or more entrée choices.

3. Check the menus on www.dineoround.com or call the individual restaurant ahead of time and ask about the Dine O'Round special. If your only choice is salmon and you don't like fish, you'll end up having to order from the regular menu at regular prices.

4. Ask about reservations, especially if you're going with a large group. Restaurants tend to fill up quickly during the Dine O'Round. You might want avoid the usual lunch or dinner rush.

5. At the restaurant, be sure to enter the prize drawing for two tickets to see chef Anthony Bourdain at Abravanel Hall on June 19, along with dinner for two and one night's hotel stay.

6. For phone numbers, addresses, menus and other particulars, log on to www.dineoround.com.

Here are the participating restaurants:

Two item, $5 lunch: Bayleaf Café, Gracie's, The Green Pig Pub, J. Wong's Asian Bistro, The Robin's Nest and Sandbar Mexican Grill.