It might be out of the ordinary to see sausage, beef and apples on a sushi menu, but, then again, there's nothing ordinary about a dinner at Blue Wasabi. It's not just the pile of dark blue wasabi, the friendly service or the trendy atmosphere that makes this sushi bar stand out from the others. The popular restaurant has garnered its success by creating original items and great deals.
Blue Wasabi distinguishes itself with a list of innovative sushi rolls made with uncommon ingredients. For instance, the Big Apple Roll combines green apple, avocado, asparagus, smoked salmon and cream cheese in an apple and plum glaze. It's different but delicious. If you're counting carbohydrates, the P.I.T.A. (Pain In The Ass) Roll is ideal. It's a mix of tuna, crab and avocado wrapped with sliced cucumber. The absence of sticky rice makes the P.I.T.A. a royal pain for chefs to prepare.
Much like Blue Wasabi's sushi, the appetizers are outstanding. The Spicy Rock Shrimp is a must-try. A sumptuous pile of plump, tender shrimp — tempura-battered and coated in a sweet and subtly spicy honey glaze— it's sleekly presented on a bed of greens in a martini glass.
There are a few unsuccessful sushi rolls. Skip the Marco Polo Roll. It's made with sun-dried tomatoes and drizzled in balsamic vinegar and fails as an attempt at fusing Japanese and Italian cuisine. Ask your server if you're uncertain about an option; they're happy to chat at the table.
Blue Wasabi has a happy hour from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, when all of the drinks are half-off, as are some sushi rolls. The bar offers more than a dozen specialty martinis, from tart and fruity cocktails to frothy dessert drinks. Sip on the Lemon Raspberry Ice while surveying the menu. The crunchy Nerds candy rimming the glass sweetens the mix of citrus and raspberry liquors.
Blue Wasabi offers incentives for diners. Come for dinner Monday through Saturday and receive a 50 percent-off coupon for your entire bill, good the following Monday only. Wear blue on Sundays, and get half off all drinks. And if you work in the service industry (a job where you receive tips for your work), you're guaranteed a discount whenever you dine at this delightful, hip dinner spot.
— jessica.kokal@asu.edu or foodinphoenix.com
