Yesterday I looked at the calendar, and panicked. Halfway through November? That means halfway through Dine Around Seattle, and only a couple weeks left of fancy food on the cheap.Dine Around Seattle is Seattle?s new $25 for 25, the biannual event where a select group of restaurants (now there are 30 of them) offer three-course meals for a substantially reduced rate (now $30).I scared up some pals, and headed to 35th Street Bistro for (insert sheepish grin) my first meal there. I?d heard only great things.For all intents and purposes, the food was flawless. My moules marinieres, a bowl of big, fat, juicy mussels in a buttery, garlicky broth, clamored for attention with the crisp fries snuggled up alongside. Accessorized with saut?ed chard and pumpkin seeds, my sweet pumpkin ravioli epitomized the ideals of stuffed pasta, soft in the mouth, but still substantial between the teeth. We volleyed my husband?s herbed pork loin (perfectly pink) and our friend?s steak (an ideal shade of crimson) back and forth, confused whether it was better to stick to our own plates to protect the home turf or let our forks succumb to their inevitable wanderlust. The wine pairings and desserts were equally successful.The service, however, was unpleasant. There was nothing really wrong with it?-our orders were processed correctly, and we didn?t wait too long, despite the fact that the place was packed–but there was also nothing really right with it, either. Our server, a tired, curt woman who seemed to have already clocked too many miles on her pedometer that day, introduced herself with ?Any questions?? She never welcomed us, didn?t take a drink order til we forced one on her, treated a request for salt like an insult to the chef (instead, it was due to personal taste), and did her best to avoid us the rest of the time. We’d hoped to order coffee and hang out a bit, but our check was slapped onto the table seconds after our plates were cleared. No coffee for you.Now, friends, don?t get me wrong: Our meal was delicious. But restaurants, please: this is your chance to shine. Discount the food all you want, but don?t discount the service.Have you been Dining Around Seattle? Have you been happy?