Phoenix, AZ — Zen32

Zen32 3160 E Camelback Rd Phoenix, AZ

602.954.8700 website map

When I got to Phoenix this week, I drove out to my hotel in Goodyear on the west side. I was dismayed when the car GPS said that the nearest sushi restaurant was over ten miles away.

At work the next day, I asked some of my colleagues about sushi. They  we no more encouraging. They said that I would have to drive about 30 minutes to find a decent sushi bar. As a group they also recommended Zen32. Therefore it was with high expectations that I made the 30 minute drive to Zen32.

Zen32 is in a trendy part of Phoenix among an array of chain and independent restaurants. It is in an outdoor mall located across the street from the Gelato Spot — the gelato was great. Zen32 is a trendy, dark restaurant. The restaurant design was noteworthy, the theme was carried out nicely from the sushi bar to the dining room to the bar area and even the bathrooms. The only problem I had was that the restaurant was very dark.

I started my meal with an order of 'pot stickers'. They were absolutely perfect. The wrappers were delicate, neither too soft nor too hard. The sauce was just a little bit spicy adn absolutely delicious. They were the best part of my meal.

As for the fish, I ordered a selection of nigiri along with a Philly roll and a tuna and avocado roll.The fish was fresh but it kept falling off the sushi rice. My Philly roll was fine but the portion of the tuna and avocado roll was not as good. The diameter of the roll was huge and the avocado portion was so small that I could not even taste it. It looked like the avocado had been lightly brushed on.

All in all Zen32 failed to live up to its billing. Not a bad experience but not a great one either.

Zen32: 3 rice bowls

Mesa, AZ — Sekai Sushi

Sekai Sushi 1017 S. Gilbert Road Mesa, AZ

408.545.8131 map

When I asked my colleagues for sushi recommendations in the Mesa area one responded in spades with detailed personal reviews of five local places. He described Sekai Sushi, "as one of his favorites ... with generous portions."

Sekai Sushi is a rather large Japanese restaurant located in a strip mall. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and a good sized sushi bar. As a solo business traveler, I vacillate between the sushi bar and a table where I can spread out and read my book. I was pleased to see that Sekai had both a dark dining area and a hand full of tables in a sort of indoor gazebo with excellent lighting. On this trip the book won so I sat under the gazebo.

On thing that impressed my right away was that I arrived near closing time but the service was still excellent. I was never made to feel unwelcome or rushed in any way. Both the sushi chef and waitress were friendly and attentive — a definite plus.

This trip I ordered sushi ala carte. I had maguro, sake, hokkigai, hamachi and hotatagai. (tuna, salmon, surf clam, yellowtail and scallops) I also ordered a Philadelphia roll. The tuna and salmon were of average quality and I was a little disappointed with the yellowtail. The surf clam was great, tasty and nicely presented. The scallops were wonderful, fresh and flavorful, really the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately my favorite (I know it's not authentic but I like it!) Philadelphia Roll was a disappointment. In my opinion the chef used way too much cream cheese. Rather than providing a hint of sweetness and texture, it completely overpowered the fish.The roll was also topped with masago which I personally do not enjoy. The Miso soup was unusual in that it looked more like egg drop soup being yellow in color not clear.

So how to rate Sekai overall? Great service, awesome scallops. Too much cream cheese on the Philly roll and strange Miso (If I ever start a band I think I will call it Strange Miso). Overall the good things out weigh the bad and the next time business takes me to Mesa, I'll be sure to stop in.

Sekai Sushi 3 rice bowls