DENReview
Mister Tuna
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Interesting restaurant name and theme tactics have been a thing for as long as we can remember. A weird backstory, off-the-wall design scheme, or cryptic name having nothing to do with the food is fun. We get it. For example, who doesn’t want to eat farm-to-table fusion fare in a converted turn of the century mortuary? But even when checking out a relatively mysterious place for the first time, we still usually know what we’re getting into - except in the case of Mister Tuna.
We had heard no real details, and only a few facts:
The menu and space pays homage to Hawaiian food culture
There’s a pickle bar
There’s a giant mural depicting the Chef’s mom
There are pictures of a pet parrot named Mister Tuna
Turns out not knowing what to expect was a really good thing. Regardless of what they’re trying to do at Mister Tuna (we still aren’t completely sure), we love it.
The menu is a nice hodgepodge of pretty much everything: shellfish, pasta, pizza, tacos, sashimi...lamb. All of which are priced high, but done really well. The King Crab is one of the best bites in the city right now. The pastas are fresh and rich, and perfect for the colder fall weather. And the sashimi, one of the only things that has any real relevance to the restaurant name, is excellent.
The space is trendy, has plenty of flash, and is nothing even remotely close to being reminiscent of Hawaii. But don’t sweat the inconsistencies. All you need to know is that the food and atmosphere at Tuna are well worth the trip, especially for upcoming date nights. Nothing really makes sense, but it doesn’t matter, because it’s all good.