Arcana Gets the Thumbs Up (Again); Mister Tuna Is a Keeper

Chef Kyle Mendenhall, who spent the last eight years at the Kitchen and joined Arcana earlier this year, brought on more praise to the Boulder restaurant. Restaurant critic Clay Fong of the Daily Camera raved about the stunning slow-cooked eggplant custard, the spice-forward Masa dumplings, and the sweet and briny peekytoe crab entree. Another highligh was the braised rabbit entree served with a complex rabbit bone broth. The homey and well-executed desserts, the comfortable vibe, and "impeccable, informed and friendly service" certainly contributed to the glowing review.

Chef Troy Guard's newest venture, Mister Tuna, got its own high marks this week from Westword. With a "funny" name and a "fun" atmosphere, the hot RiNo spot impressed critic Gretchen Kurtz with the "terrific lamb for the grilled pizza, slathered with romesco and Fontina and crisscrossed with raw spinach," the ahi poke, and the kampachi, which Kurtz calls "a stunner." The restaurant is buzzy yet mature, a lucky way to be "aging" in the words of the critic.