07/11/08

Excellent food/prices/people/atmosphere

by seniamolly

Our favorite restaurant to visit! We go quite often for both the food and the atmosphere. Palm trees and bamboo, decorated with style, a warm relaxing atmosphere. I am a vegetarian and I love the tofu plate, very inexpensive, comes with a salad. They have a neat outdoor seating area also, which is surrounded by greenery. A little haven in the middle of a busy city! You order at the counter and then they bring your food to the table. We like that, it is faster and we don't have to make it a big dining experience every time we want to go out for good food! The people have always been so friendly. It is a busy place most of the time, once you visit, you are addicted! The staff and management have gone out of their way to show us that they value our patronage. We wanted to put a good word out for Eastwind, because they totally deserve the recognition.

• Pros: Healthy choices-vegetarians have nice options here
• Cons: Somewhat addicting

10/24/07

Sushi and More! Great Happy Hour pricing

by geezusman

Great inside out california rolls. Get the soy paper instead of seeweed. It melts in your mouth! Great value for the money.

• Pros: Great sushi at a fair price
• Cons: Have to order in line, get your own beverages and find a seat.

06/25/07

Hidden Japanese treasures at Tatum and Thunderbird!

by jdelapp42

I first visited Eastwind for my roommate's birthday. I had never tried sushi before, and as my gift to her I decided I would give it a shot. It was actually a fluke that we wound up at Eastwind that evening; we drove around for about an hour checking out restaurants advertised in Echo Magazine before we finally buzzed by Eastwind and decided to stop in.

From the outside, Eastwind does not look like much: It is simply another non-descript strip mall suite stuck next to a Fedex Kinkos. As you enter, however, the atmosphere changes. Even though it has been busy three of the four times I've eaten there, I find the setting very peaceful. Lighting is dim but not black-out, the tables are comfortable (as far as restaurant chairs go), and the bamboo and wood decor is very appealing.

Food is ordered at the counter and you are given a numbered placard so your order can be dellivered to your table. Drinks include the normal gammut of sodas, with ice tea as well as barley tea, and beers, sake, and wine available for the adults.

I have ordered the dinner bento box several times and never been disappointed. The bento varies, but typically contains a salad with a delicious, spicy citrus dressing, several pieces of California roll, grilled salmon, teriyaki-style chicken, and panko chicken, along with sticky rice with black sesame seed and a bowl of the best miso soup I've had in awhile.

The classic California roll is delicious! I do not care for fish personally, but I could eat Eastwind's sushi all day. I also suggest the Vegas roll (cream cheese and crab, tempura-battered and quick-fried then topped with a tangy eel sauce) and the yakiniku (spicy thin-sliced beef with a sauce that acceuntuates the beef's flavor without masking it completely).

Also, try the plum wine (thick, tart and sweet, with a nice alcoholic buzz) if you're in the mood for casual drinking, or for a more banzai dinner toss back a sake bomber (Kirin and sake - yum). KANPAI!

• Pros: Delicious Japanese at a decent price, sake bombers (need I say more?), and it's fun to watch the sushi master at work.
• Cons: Service can be a bit disorderly at peak hours - make sure to check the menu at the door before getting in line!

03/14/07

Eastwind is about the best you will find for casual Japanese food in the Phoenix area

by yakijy

Eastwind is about the best you will find for casual Japanese food in the Phoenix area. It is the only place I've found that somewhat compares with the neighborhood restaurants in Chicago like Tokyo Marina or Sanko. It isn't overpriced or fake like most Japanese restaurants in the valley. The Japanese owner also owns 'Tokyo Express'. The average dinner will be 7 -9 dollars. They have a seafood noodle dish called Chanpon, which I've never had before - and is wonderful.

You order at a counter, and then they bring the food to your table, so you can tip low and still feel like you are doing above the norm.

The happy hour goes until 6:00pm and you can get a large Sapporo and sake for $5.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: sometimes a long line at counter

01/02/07

Chaotic!

by roekaeaz

If you enjoy waiting in line to order your food only to find that the restaurant can't fulfill take out and dine orders simultaneously...then, this is your place. Otherwise, there are plenty of sushi restaurants around that you'd enjoy much better. Value for the money? Above average. Do they value your time? Absolutely not!

• Pros: cheap
• Cons: chaotic