Tucked into a Phoenix strip mall next to a Domino's Pizza is Cherryblossom Noodle Café, an unimposing restaurant whose storefront looks like a traditional Italian café, where you would expect to find a dinner prepared by Mama Corleone herself — until you crack open the menu, that is.
Invigorating the idea of East meets West, Cherryblossom Noodle Café blends Asian and Italian cuisine for a dining experience of classic food and flavorful combinations.
The sushi menu includes traditional rolls such as a California Roll and Kappa — for less gutsy diners — while rolls such as the Spider Roll (soft-shell crab, krab, masago, cucumber, avocado, lettuce) stick out as unique fusions of seafood and veggies.
The Asian cuisine varies from hot udon or soba noodle soups to rice plates with numerous options of meats, vegetables and sauces. The Asian Noodles' menu honorable mention is Korean Spicy Beef, the thinly sliced, spicy beef with egg noodles and vegetables — spicy, but not enough to distract your taste buds when trying friends’ dishes.
To round out your meal, check the dessert case. The carrot cake brings a slice of happiness to the table, even if you don’t like carrots. The mousse-filled cakes are rich, but not enough that you only eat half before offering it to someone else.
Things to remember…
Special appetizers: Bread may be complementary for dine-in customers (and deliciously soft), but the item in the basket to try is the cinnamon toast. No bigger than the size of a palm, one side is coated in cinnamon and sugar.
Mix genres: It’s already a paradox of a dining situation, so be adventurous! Pick the salad with Unagi (grilled fresh water eel) to start before moving on to traditional Bolognese.
Remembering college: With at least four styles of Ramen daily, it is still possible to stay true to our roots as college students.
Date night: Grab a Rainbow Roll (Tuna, Yellow Tail, Shrimp, Salmon and Avocado on top of California Roll) for an appetizer, then split a bowl of Arrabbiata, "Lady and the Tramp" style – perfect for two.
My pick: Capellini with tomato and garlic with calamari for dinner and strawberry mousse cake for dessert. The pasta is light while the texture of the calamari enhances the simply smooth marinara sauce — totally worth the additional fee.
If you go… Cherryblossom Noodle Café 914 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 602-248-9090, cherryblossom-az.com.
Reach the reporter at crcruz1@asu.edu.
