The Dish, which has been a mainstay of the Tucson fine-dining scene since 1996, will serve its last meal in its current format March 14.
After less than a month of retooling, the 35-seat space inside of The RumRunner, 3131 E. First St., will serve wine and lighter fare like cheese and charcuterie Friday and Saturday nights. The space will also host quarterly wine and chef dinners, and will be open for special events.
Co-owner Tom Smith says that while February was the best month for sales in years, the staff came to a consensus that it was time to refocus its efforts on the retail operation, which, Smith says, brings in most of their revenue.
When their chef, Michael Muthart, broke the news that he was planning to leave in order to focus more effort on his chicken ranch, Top Knot Farms in Benson, Smith said it “felt like someone was telling us that it was time.”
“It’s a little bit emotional because it’s been really a good run and we have awesome customers who we are so appreciative of,” he said. “It’s just time for the next chapter. It’s just that simple.”
Smith, who is 53, has owned the wine and spirits shop The RumRunner with business partner Jennifer Elchuck for more than 20 years. The Dish moved about 20 yards down the road to its current location off of Speedway in 2007, where it lost about a third of its seating space. Smith says adapting to the change “at first seemed like an almost impossible task,” but that they were able to make it work.
The restaurant, well-known for its eclectic menu and weeknight $12.50 mussels and wine special, has brought up several chefs, including Ryan Clark of Agustin Kitchen and Doug Levy of Feast.
On its last night, The Dish will serve its regular menu, with some items dating back to the restaurant’s opening. Reservations are recommended.
