Pure Sushi Bar Keeps It Fresh With Overstuffed Maki and Box Sushi

Comments (0) By Michele Laudig Thursday, Mar 19 2009

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They did have actual entrees, too. The hands-down winner was the roasted Hawaiian butterfish, marinated in Korean chili paste. It was super-moist, with luscious beurre blanc to balance out the spice. Coconut-infused forbidden black rice was a tasty, slightly sweet complement to the dish.

Top-notch pork tenderloin done up katsu-style (fried in a deep golden panko crust) was quite good, served with an unusual glaze made with black beans, blood orange, and sake. The brown rice pilaf paired with it didn't move me, though. And char-grilled jumbo prawns were simply disappointing — overcooked and rubbery, with simultaneously mushy and crunchy stir-fried soba noodles on the side. I stopped eating it and went back to chomping on a pork rib.

Jackie Mercandetti

Hey, good-lookin': Pure's eye-catching "box sushi."

Details

Curried lobster spring rolls: $12
Box sushi: $16
Salmon sashimi: $10
Katsu-style pork tenderloin: $18

480-947-1077
www.puresushibar.com Hours: Lunch, daily, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner, daily, 3 p.m. to midnight; bar until 2 a.m. daily

Pure Sushi Bar + Dining

7343 East Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale

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At the end of the meal, I tasted a hockey puck of too-dense green tea cheesecake (ehh) and a decent but oh-so-pedestrian chocolate lava cake, served with raspberry coulis and white chocolate sauce. For something sugary, it's probably safer to go with the ice cream.

Then again, I didn't mention the cocktail list. If you really need to satisfy your sweet tooth, an Asian pear martini or a lychee-lemon drop will likely suffice.