Kaizen PHX — Restaurant in Phoenix

NEW VISIT REVIEW 4 April 23 The staff seem to have changed somewhat. They are still just as friendly and hospitable, but the quality of service was slightly decreased on this visit. On an average busy, but not full, night, I sat for three minutes with an empty glass while eating a recorded entree due to the first octopus, Pulpo Asado, plate being burnt, charred and the meat way overdone... it was an assistant, not my server who saw and offered a fresh soda.

The sushi rolls I had, Philly and What Happens in Vegas, were as spectacular as every other visit. They were well put together, and had good fresh quality tasting ingredients. The presentation of all dishes was neat and clean.

As mentioned above, my first octopus plate came out with a crunchy pulpo tip and unrecognizable tentacles. The second dish was still a little overdone, but much better. I told them I was fine when they checked on the second plate satisfaction, I had simply decided at that point it was perhaps a newer cook unable to reach the fine balance of properly done and not having black burn on it. I just cut around the char this time and ate what was left.

Original review

FOODGASM!!! Every single bite of every single item was above perfection. I am a foodie, I have been a paid food and service reviewer, I have dined at five stars down to dirty taco trucks, and I am still very picky. NOTHING FOOD WISE FAILED MY EXPECTATIONS AT ALL.

Every items was displayed beautifully, and the quality could be tasted from the first bite to the last swallow. Each item in the dishes had its own amazing unique flavor profile you could taste everything, sometimes the flavors layered, some came in stages even, and I have very rarely described anything with such admiration and respect food wise. Every ingredient tasted as fresh as it could.

The octopus, oh... my... gawd! I like it, but in my fifty years I have never once enjoyed the way it was prepared. I am a seafood lover extreme, and have often been heard saying I love any seafood, except octopus and claims except calamari. I've been often told the octopus can be great when made right. All these decades, and I finally found what made right tastes like. I will return here often just for that, but enjoy even more with it every time.

Now I saved the best for last. I have never heard of such a fully inclusive happy hour as this place. My date wanted somewhere nice for drinks and to sample a variety of appetizers. I found them through a New Times article for best happy hours and we both decided this was where we were going. EVERYTHING ON THE MENU IS HALF PRICE DURING HAPPY HOUR (except two specialty dishes). They will add an auto 20 percent gratuity during happy hour, but I made them work for it with the variety of dishes we tried.

The decor, ambiance is rated lower as it is located inside a warehouse business building and no large signs even to know where to go, but the open seating and types of seating also affected the score. There was a little bit of nice art on the walls, but honestly, I didn't go for the looks, I went...

A strong start, but a weak finish hurt the overall experience.

We went to Kaizen as visitors to Phoenix looking for a good meal when our first choice was not available.

We were impressed by the warm greeting and good service at the start of the meal. The ambiance was hip, and not overly loud. We ordered our food and it came in a reasonable time.

We ordered an order of the ancho tamarind back ribs as an appetizer for us to share, then ordered unagi nigiri, polpo asado, the Señor Larry roll, and the tuna tataki roll. The food arrived almost all at the same time, crowding our two person table some, and making it a little difficult to navigate, but we got by. Strangely, the appetizer ribs came after everything else we ordered.

The unagi was good: The unagi was of good quality, the rice was well seasoned and cooked, though it was a little heavy on the sauce. Both rolls were well constructed, and tasty.

The polpo asado was nicely presented, and quite tasty, though a little salty for my own taste. It was companies by some fingerling potatoes, and a few slices of tempura sweet potato, which was a very nice addition.

Our table was well attended up to this point, even when my dining companion asked for some wet-naps to help with the late appearing ribs, and the server provided hot napkins. After that, however, our server forgot about us entirely. For about 20 minutes he went past our table several times but didn’t check in.

Eventually, we felt ignored enough and called for the check, and when he came my dining companion asked if I wanted dessert. Only then did our server remember about dessert. And then I asked about coffee, which they also forgot to ask about.

We did order dessert, a strawberry tiramisu, which was good and had a good strawberry flavor without being too heavy handed on cream. Overall, well balanced.

Our server seemed eager to close us out. Soon as we were done with our meal, they presented us with the machine for credit card payment, just telling us the total without really itemizing the bill. When we asked they went and got us a printed itemized bill. Hovering over us, I felt a bit pressured to tip better than I really felt, and once that was done he left without asking whether we wanted a copy or an email of the bill or anything.

Overall, good food, if a little heavy on salt, and a good experience, but a little more careful follow through on the service would have boosted this meal to a much more...

Me and my gf left utterly disappointed. I know how Google reviews matter to businesses so I preface my review saying that I don't write poor reviews unless I feel compelled to.

Food was ok, but service kinda ruined it. Our server could not get the order right , gave us chicken bacon skewer as opposed to negima. When I notified her , there was no apology. My gf cannot eat pork so was left hungry for ....another 20 mins.

The server checked in on us , I told her about the order and again no apology or anything , said "it is coming it is coming".

The food came.

Proper shio yakitori should be served salted and warm. Ours was neither warm or seasoned. Meat was nice and moist though not sure worth 6 bucks each.

I had high hopes for veggie tempura , only to be disappointed with a load of cauliflower and broccoli. Well neither of them are suitable or proper for tempura , not something expected of a reputable place like here , certainly not anywhere in Japan. I gave em the benefit of the doubt but only to bite into an unpleasant mush of undercooked batter. No thanks.

We asked for the check. I understand that gratuity is important, but automatic added 20 percent for a party of two felt like a slap in the face after the very fact that we decided to leave due to an unpleasant experience. Side note is the 20 percent of the total before happy hour discounts. I wouldn't have minded it if the service was great , but me and my gf had to laugh knowing we paid 15 dollars for tips and 38 for food.

Unfortunately we won't be back. Not like this place needs my business anyway but in any case the owner might consider some honest...