Mizuna Restaurant

Mizuna has an excellent wine lists, including Diamond Creek, which is what brought us back after a previous disappointing meal. We hoped our first visit was simply an off night. Unfortunately, this visit confirmed otherwise. The owner was working the fryer, which is relevant because both starters were fried. Our arancini arrived cold and had to be remade after staff explained the fryer wasn’t up to temperature. The replacement was warmer, but the cold marinara underneath didn’t help. The crab cakes were hot but severely over-fried, dry, and lacked flavor (see image). Because of the delays and refires, we skipped our salads and went straight to the entrées. The pad thai was gummy and largely untouched (see photo). The halibut was overcooked. Salt and pepper helped somewhat, but the fennel prepared three ways was simply not enjoyable. I understand restaurants have bad nights. I understand menus and kitchens evolve. What I don’t understand is the response. After expressing our concerns, the only gesture offered was a complimentary dessert (which we declined) and, later, a discount that required approval (which we also declined, do it or don’t but don’t ask us for it). As a business owner myself, I would have expected at least a brief visit from management or the owner to acknowledge the experience. For a table exceeding $250 per person, the lack of engagement (from onsite owner) was the most disappointing part of the evening. If this is the level of attention given to guests spending that much, it leaves me wondering what the average diner experiences. It’s unfortunate, because Mizuna’s wine program is exceptional. We’ll likely look elsewhere to enjoy great bottles with food and service that match the quality of the wine list.

What a lovely gem in a desert of food quality! This is by far the best restaurant in the area that I have found that actually LISTS all of its gluten free options, which is nearly the entire menu. As a celiac here on business every few years, I have literally gone to bed hungry for lack of viable safe food options in the area. Not only were the staff extremely knowledgeable and friendly, the food was actually worth what you pay (such a rarity these days)! I took some clients here for dinner and everyone loved the experience. We had appetizers, dinner, wine, and dessert. Nummy creme brûlée as well!

This was a lovely find! The atmosphere is on the more fine dining side. The old brick building as a beautiful charm. (I Live on the west side of the state-the old buildings in Spokane are beautiful). What pulled us in to stop by was the mostly GF menu. For my starter I enjoyed a half order of the Roasted Beet Salad with arugula, whipped goat cheese, candied walnuts, and a lemon-custard vinaigrette. I then tried the Trout for dinner. It was served over a white bean rague that included bacon, kale, leeks, and fresh dill. Oh, there was a bread served with oil before our food and there was a gf option. I highly recommend and will return when visiting Spokane.

I sat on the patio and it was one of the nicest dining experiences I have had. The food, atmosphere and service were perfect without being pretentious.

Honestly, for the first 20-25 minutes I spent there with minimal service, excluding a glass of lemon water, I felt almost completely unnoticeable to anyone working that evening. But eventually my waitress, who was very apologetic she was serving patrons both indoors and their outside dining space situated in an alley on the side of the restaurant between another business, came to get my drink and appetizers order and was extremely helpful and made wise suggestions as I had a hard time making decisions concerning the menu. Her service from then on was very attentive, but not in a smothering way. She paced bringing out each course and checking up on me, with impeccable timing. I started with fresh bread and olive oil, black cracked pepper and a tiny amount of balsamic vinaigrette to dip it into..the bread had a crusty outer layer and a warm, flaky, soft texture on the inside, perfect for soaking it all up. One of the best "complimentary" breads I have been served at any restaurant in a long while. For my appetizer I had the pork belly which not only came served with crostini-like slices but an absolutely delicious sauce for dipping or spreading and sliced apples to go on the side. I was legitimately shocked at just how large it would be and I know now it was most certainly meant to be shared—they were almost the size of bbq ribs and very dense and meaty. I boxed the rest up for later, as I didn't realize until I sampled it that I really didn't want anything that heavy at the time. The seafood fettuccini was INCREDIBLE—the highlight meal of my entire week! I also want to give kudos to the chef who took the time and consideration of the guests by peeling the ENTIRE shrimp shell off and making sure the clams shells were FULLY opened before serving to the patrons, as many establishments do not, and it is very annoying and inconvenient 😩; the scallops were one of the few times I've had it prepared so perfectly as well. I reluctantly ordered the flourless chocolate torte and was surprised how much I liked it and didn't miss the flour one bit! It also had crystallized sugar coated bits of hardened organic ginger pieces that was both unsuspected and highly enjoyable. I had a blackberry mojito and a berry-infused lemonade martini, which like the meal was amazing and not diluted or watered down in any way. The atmosphere consists of an alleyway outdoor dining area with lights hanging overhead, beautifully shining in the evening's waning hours. I def want to sit out there when I return. The inside consisted of two rooms and the entire structure was quality brick and stone work with a fusion of Edwardian chic and neo-industrial styles, complete with Tiffany-style stained glass and exposed metal ceiling ductwork.