Sakana Restaurant

 

8

13

Craig F.

Phoenix, AZ

This is one of my favorite Sushi places, the only thing preventing me from giving them 5 stars is just service.  The food is great, the chefs are fun, but the waiting staff is just off almost every time.  They disappear for long periods of time, they don't consider seating strategies when sitting people and when you are done, you often have to ask another waiter/waitress to let your waiter/waitress that you are ready for the bill.

Most nights you will be waiting for a seat, there is a long line before 5:30 waiting to get in when they open.  Enjoy the food, ignore the service.

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13

44

maggie r.

Glendale, AZ

Being a creature of habit anytime I want good sushi I go to Tokyo Lobby.  Well, my group wanted to branch out and try something new so we decided on Sakana. Not a fan.  And what's shocking to me is this place was packed!  The restaurant opens at 5:30 on Saturday and we arrived at around 5:45 and were lucky to get the last open table.  I don't get it...

Messy rolls that all tasted the same.  We ordered the tootsie roll and the crunch roll, both tasted similar, except of course for the crunchy captain crunch on top.  Just a mushy mess, that was hard to eat.  Bland tempura.  No bueno.  I did, however, have a very good tuna poke salad, but I would not go back just for that.

If you want good sushi on the west side, or the entire valley for that matter, say no to Sakana and yes to Tokyo Lobby.

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2

17

Ameerah A.

Glendale, AZ

This is my spot right here... when I have the extra cash. My reasons, the food (quality and portion size for the cost), Yoshii and Masa (Hilarious night when these two are working) and its right around the corner from my house. I mean, everything I've gotten has always been good and I've been going there for over two years now. My boyfriend and I were always greeted warmly when we'd come in and they remember who we were each time (My boyfriend is currently serving in Iraq and everytime I've gone in since his departure they ask how he is and let me know that they hope he comes home safely and soon!). It is true there can be a bit of a crazy wait at times, but I think its well worth it, especially if your sitting at the bar! (Like Erica said, buy them a drink they'll take "water" [haha, inside joke there], they deserve it and it will make the dining experience even better)And just so you know, I'm a pretty 'authentic'-based person (I'm from San Francisco, I've had some of the most authentic as you can get outside of they actual country for most cuisines), and I won't lie to you, Sakana IS NOT authentic Japanese food, its Americanized but it doesn't make it any less great!!

Last time I went (Sometime in mid-May 08), I took my gal pal who speaks a bit of Japanese to sic Yoshii on her, it was a funny sight to watch my friend say sorry, I didn't catch that in Japanese over and over. I didn't eat my usual $90 dollar meal, but I sat at the bar, which is my favorite spot. It wasn't all too bad, in the sense of crowd and the wait, but this was during the week a few hours after opening for dinner. I ordered my usual Hamachi Kama (Grilled Yellowtail Jaw, its so cute and delicious!) off the whiteboard, and if I can suggest anything to you that you should remember after reading this review, is DO order off the whiteboard, I've never been disappointed! You can always ask the waitress what exactly is going on on that whiteboard if you're slightly weary. I can't remember exactly what else we had from the board, but it was a few of the special rolls. Both yummy, I'm a yellowtail girl, love love love Hamachi and it never fails to be good here in its various forms!

You should definitely check this place out for yourself though!

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24

16

Erica L.

Phoenix, AZ

Amazingly large portion sizes!  I'm so spoiled by the portion sizes at Sakana that I don't want to eat sushi anywhere else.  The fish is always fresh.  Be sure to check the specials on the board - you could try something new!

The staff is fantastic and efficient.  Sit at the bar and you'll see how friendly the chefs are.  Buy them a shot of sake and you'll have friends all night.  Plus a lot of attention from the entire restaurant.

For dinner there's typically a wait for a seat.  But Sakana is always worth the wait.  If you really can't wait, make a to-go order.  You'll keep coming back.

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Elite '08

17

174

Louise O.

Long Beach, CA

I concur. Pretty good food. fresh fish. My friend says that the cute waitresses are a bonus.

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