I came to this restaurant after spending all day at the hospital across the street for my daughter…read moreso I was hungry and emotionally drained. When I walked in, I was promptly directed to where I should go so I could place a takeout order. The genuine courtesy of the staff here was just what I needed after a long day. Lots of great options for sushi but ramen sounded amazing on a chilly winter day. I ordered a couple options and requested for the toppings to be separated so my picky eater could pick out what she didn't like. The food was out promptly and packaged with such care. Once I got it back to my daughter's hospital room, we were able to feast on the best meal we had all day. I will definitely be coming back to this place again and I am grateful for their kindness just when I needed it. Highly recommend!

I have to be honest here. I only recently started trying Ramen. I don't know why, but I always told…read moremyself that I didn't like it. Anyway, this was only the second time I've ever eaten restaurant Ramen. The first time was so-so. And I was eager to see how much better it could be. So my wife started to do a little research and found that Daruma had really good reviews. So we gave it a shot. I have to say that I was very impressed with my Ramen. It was galaxy's better than the first one I tried. I can't wait to try a different one next time. Aside from the wonderful food. The staff there was really nice. They greeted us right away and quickly got us seated. Our server was also very friendly and attentive. The dining area was pretty clean and inviting too!

I been coming to this restaurant for a long time everything is so fresh made to order this is my…read morefavorite restaurant here in Mesa. This is my spot to come and eat and chill service can be a bit slow for some people but this is not fas food is quality food so it might take a little. I don't have nothing bad to say about this place I love it.

First and foremost, this place had just I was looking for--casual/relaxed atmosphere, reasonable…read moreprices, and above all great food. The dishes we ordered were all seasoned very generously and the garlic edamame (a must-order for the table) had a little heat to it. My hamachi Kama came out first and was cooked beautifully through and again, seasoned well. The ponzu and ginger were a nice dipping sauce. The sunrise roll had great flavors and cool presentation. Our scallop and chicken yakitoris were great too. I didn't get to try it but the table next to us got agedashi tofu that looked great. Side note, every table was full--always a good sign for a restaurant when there's lots of competition. As someone from the SF Bay Area I'm pretty picky about landlocked sushi places, but this one knocked it outta the park for our spring training visit. Go Giants!! Sorry for not photographing anything it all looked so good we just dug in.

Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

On a Sunday evening, after checking out the Desert Botanical Garden, I was looking for some food in…read morethe area. I came across Zu Izakaya and it's great reviews as one of the options. I love Japanese food so my decision was made. I drove over and parked in their complimentary lot. Ambiance (3.5/5): I've been to Japan and there are plenty of izakayas there. Think of them as small bars which often serve solid food. Zu fits that bit. It's a relatively small restaurant, probably seats about 30 people. and it's pretty no frills for a Japanese spot. I was seated at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. They have free WiFi which is always a good touch. Service (3/5): Service was friendly, though a bit inconsistent. My waitress wasn't as attentive as I would have liked. The type of service where you have to flag them down to get what you want and to close out. Drinks (4/5): Zu has a nice menu of Japanese and Korean beverages, including sake, soju, Japanese beer, and more. With that being said, I just had an iced green tea. Food (4/5): I got a nice variety. I went with the Japanese sausage off of the grill menu, the OBI mayo roll off of the sushi menu, and the cheese corn off of the appetizer menu. Let's start with the sausage. It's a small item, two small sausages, but absolutely delicious. The sausage was bursting with flavor and basted in a sweet sauce. Minus the portion size, perfection. The cheese corn also hit the spot, but the execution was off. The corn is served on a hot platter, and unfortunately some of the corn on the edges was badly burnt. The type of situation where they should start over. Which they didn't. Lastly, the OBI mayo roll is essentially a California roll with marinated warm shrimp on top in a mayo sauce. I didn't love the hot and cold combo (shrimp and sushi), but outside of the temperature, it was a delicious roll. All in all, a very food meal. My only gripe with Japanese food is that it can get expensive quick. Given that Zu is in Tempe, I was hoping that prices would be a little cheaper. With that being said, they do have a solid happy hour (and reverse happy hour) with both food and drink specials. Next time I stop by, I'd like to check out some of their Korean options. I focused on the Japanese stuff this time (which makes the majority of the menu). Next time around, the bulgogi is calling my name!

My partner and I originally chose this place because we heard they light one of the sushi rolls on…read morefire, which immediately sounded like something fun we had to try. Funny enough, this actually wasn't even the exact restaurant my partner had been thinking of when he brought it up, but honestly I'm so glad we ended up here anyway because the food was REALLY good. We ordered the flaming ohmygod sushi roll, and man... it was amazing. Not only was the presentation fun, but the sushi itself actually tasted incredible too, which sometimes isn't the case with more "gimmicky" menu items. It was so good that I literally ordered another roll to-go and took it on the plane back home with me because I already knew I'd be craving it later. That alone should say enough about how much I liked it. I also tried the matcha martini, and it was honestly one of the best cocktails I've had in a while. It had the perfect balance of matcha flavor and alcohol where neither one overpowered the other. Sometimes matcha drinks either taste way too earthy or completely lose the matcha flavor under the alcohol, but this one was super smooth, flavorful, and really well done. The restaurant itself also has a really nice atmosphere. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and the indoor area definitely has a more upscale vibe than your usual sushi spot and that makes the experience feel a little more elevated and perfect for a date night. On top of all that, the servers were super friendly and provided genuinely great service throughout the meal. Everyone was attentive, welcoming, and made the experience feel really comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, this place completely exceeded my expectations. Great sushi, fun presentation, amazing drinks, friendly service, and a really nice atmosphere. I'd absolutely come back again.

First time here and I was not disappointed. All of the staff were friendly and helped each other…read morerun food and refill waters, which isn't something you see much of these days. We were there at around 5pm and it wasn't too busy, but there was a steady flow of diners coming in and out. Seating is ample, with outdoor, bar, sushi bar, and regular table options. I ordered two rolls: hot havana and mango roll. Both were delicious and the mango was juicy! The purple rice was super fun and set them apart from other sushi spots. I also ordered the miso soup to start. The food came out quickly. My only "complaint" is there aren't a ton of classic roll options. But this is a more upscale sushi restaurant, so it isn't surprising. I will keep this place in my list of spots to hit when I'm looking for a bite to eat in DTPHX.

I may not be able to eat sushi anywhere else after this!…read more I came for the Restaurant Week lunch deal and am so glad I finally made it here. Everything from service to ambiance to food was excellent. And I love that they brought lunch service back to this location! Friday, Saturday, Sunday only and still make a reservation! It was busy! I wanted something fun to drink but non-alcoholic, so the bartender stopped by to help me decide. I got the Miso Sour and it was so good! This had a nice balance of flavors. I started with the Hamachi Crudo which has grapefruit ponzu, lemon mayo, Serrano pepper, and thin cucumber slices. This was so good! Refreshing with just the right amount of spice. Next I enjoyed chopped salad and miso. The salad was very fresh and had a variety of goodies including edamame, purple cabbage, and avocado. The miso is so good!! It was delicate and yet so flavorful. I chose the Yuzu tuna roll option which has spicy tuna and avocado inside, with big eye tuna on top, garnished with micro cilantro, red onion, and yuzu. This was so good! I also thought their ginger stood out - I would bet they make this in house. I can see why this always has such great reviews!

I'm writing this review more as feedback for the owner because I'd hate to see a restaurant with so…read moremuch potential decline in quality and service. My boyfriend and I came to Shimogamo for Mother's Day and ordered the five-course meal. Unfortunately, the experience was extremely disappointing compared to our previous visit. The biggest issue was the service. Our waitress, an older woman, came across as dismissive and unnecessarily rude throughout the evening. When we were seated, she offered complimentary rosé. I accepted a glass, but my boyfriend does not drink alcohol, so he politely asked if he could order a mocktail instead. Before he could even finish, she abruptly responded, "No, you can wait to place an order for that," as if he was trying to substitute the complimentary drink, which he was not. He was simply trying to order a beverage. Later, when the braised beef course was served, my boyfriend politely asked if he could have a spoon or fork. The waitress loudly repeated "A SPOON?" in a mocking tone in front of nearby guests, which made the interaction uncomfortable and embarrassing. As for the food, the five-course menu was average at best and far below what we expected from Shimogamo. The salmon tartare and sushi course were both excellent and showed the quality we remembered from our first visit. However, the remaining courses fell flat. The fried branzino was dry and seemed poorly prepared, despite the promising flavors of capers and cream sauce. The braised short rib felt completely out of place on the menu and lacked refinement it was dry, heavy, and more reminiscent of a chain steakhouse meal than an upscale dining experience. The entire dinner also felt rushed, with little attention to pacing or hospitality. What makes this especially disappointing is that we dined here back in November on a double date and had an incredible experience. We spent over $600 that evening, and the service and food were exceptional. Our waitress at that time was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. She guided us through recommendations, and every dish impressed us. That's why this visit was so surprising. Shimogamo clearly has the ability to provide an outstanding dining experience, which makes the decline in both service and execution even more concerning. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously because this restaurant was once one of our favorites.

Who has the time for sitting down at a Hibachi grill on a regular day of the week, not me! That's…read morewhy this is a highly recommended on the go hibachi style eatery! I purchased the trio plate and pork gyoza for my wife and I to share and barely half way through eating it I said "I forgot to take a picture of what it looks like for the before" that's how fast it got out in our mouths lol The Boss Way is the only way to enjoy all the flavors of this masterpiece. The fried rice is top notch, the veggies are perfectly cooked and the meat I is delicious! The pork gyoza with the sweet chili sauce is also exquisite! Overall a perfect place to dine anytime from 2pm-9pm! The restaurant itself is very Japanese inspired with wood panels and cool traditional artwork. The seating available could be for 25ish people all at once. This restaurant is nice for the call ahead and takeout aspect. The couple who run the place are very warm and friendly! I will definitely be returning to this place and anyone who sees this should definitely give it a try!

New in Mesa and already stealing the spotlight…read more This bowl was to pretty and delicious to not share. Not to mention the amazing customer service you receive the moment you walk in the door. This young husband and wife duo are knocking it out the park with this new casual, neighborhood spot. Quality, Freshness, Taste, Texture all cooked in 100% Avocado Oil. This one has my taste buds craving for more. @bossbachi_ 354 N Country Club

Really good quality and taste of food, definitely recommend come with friends, a good choice of…read moreAYCE sushi, I would like to come again.

Very very good! I really like the sashimi!!!!!!!!!! I really…read morelike the eel nigiri!!!!!!!!

Ryu Sushi is a little unsuspecting; the location is kind of weird in the sense that the parking lot…read moreof small. We went here for a friend's birthday, and was it definitely a fun night! The restaurant is fairly large, and seems like a lot of people like coming here for family/friend dinners. Like the name insists, the teppanyaki is the way to go. Their menu isn't that large, so it was pretty easy to make a decision. I opted for the filet mignon (rare) along with shrimp. Teppanyaki is really more of a show/experience, so the food comes out to you in sections (versus all at once like at a traditional restaurant). The filet was so soft, and was perfectly rare, and the shrimp was so good. I think in the future I'd eat a whole plate of shrimp. I also got to try the yakiniku, and that was also pretty good but very sweet. Their Boo Yah Ka roll was also pretty yummy. It's essentially a spring roll, but with some spice and citrus to it. I felt that the portion was good for a large meal, but my friend who got the chef's combo definitely had enough for leftovers.

On date night looking for a sushi place in the area and we found Ryu. It had hibachi and sushi so a…read morewin-win situation. The show was great and we were fortunate to sit at a table with other friendly people so it was a great time. I had the vegetarian Teppanyaki that had stir-fried vegetables and tofu. I also had the chilli cheese sushi - deep-fried jalapeño, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado. Topped with spicy mayo sriracha sauce. My boyfriend had the steak Teppanyaki and the last Vegas sushi - tempura battered roll with crab, avocado, cream cheese & sweet chili sauce. Everything was great!

Came in for lunch and it was good! Shio Ramen & Crudo is the sister restaurant to Sushiholic, which…read moreis 2 doors down. I like the interior decor of Shio with cute cartoon cats slurping noodles and interesting looking wood panels on the ceilings and walls. On Friday around 1:45pm it wasn't busy at all. The staff were all friendly, and food came out right away. The lunch special essentially is a discounted price bowl of ramen from $17 to $13 and some additional sushi options at $4 (limit 1). We opted to try 2 different types of ramen so we could share-- Tonkatsu and Spicy Miso. Both solid flavors and my main gripe is that for some reason my tonkatsu bowl used a different type of ramen noodle that was thinner and less chewy than the Spicy Miso. I liked those noodles better. The pork that comes with the ramen is delicious! Rainbow roll was good and I probably didn't need to order the tootsie roll, as it was essentially a rainbow roll minus the fish on top. We tried the green Matcha IPA from Kyoto for fun and because we love Kyoto, it was pretty good. I'd come back on happy hour to try other items and have a drink.

Ramen cravings = handled. Shio Ramen & Crudo brings a…read moremodern, stylish vibe with seriously good food. Their tonkotsu broth is rich, creamy, and full of depth without being heavy, you can tell it's crafted with care. We ordered a little bit of everything to try: Edamame, Pan-fried gyoza, Chicken karaage, Tonkotsu ramen Everything hit. Flavorful, fresh, and satisfying. The space is clean, modern, and has a fun, themed vibe that makes it even better. The service was very good to keep us (15 of us) happy and fed!