My first experience with Temari Japanese Restaurant was about six years ago. At the time, it was Gilbert’s best kept secret since the masses were headed to more commercial sushi restaurants such as Kyoto and Ra. In my opinion, both the later being highly overrated. Now Temari is finally on the sushi connoisseurs map and I can’t be too selfish since the more business they accrue I can feel certain they will always be there to satisfy my cravings.
The restaurant isn’t located in a high end mall park or location. It is tucked away in a shopping center off of Val Vista across from Serrano’s Mexican Food. The actually restaurant is quit small with limited seating at the sushi bar but I would sit on the floor just to get a taste of what they are serving. There are the same three servers who always greet us with a smile and remember our names!! I can’t make any promises they would remember your name after just one visit but trust me after you have tasted the Unagi sashimi or the spicy tuna roll you will be a repeat customer. Temari is the place to take a sushi virgin. What is a sushi virgin? Someone who has never tried the great creation or believes California rolls are actual sushi. Temari has over 40 rolls to choose from each with their own fancy twist. For the first time sushi goer the spicy tuna roll or Philly roll are a hit. These two rolls allow the actual fish to speak for themselves. The spicy tuna entails the mouth watering tuna that is kicked up a notch with Temari’s special blended spicy mayo sauce and a few pieces of cucumber to give it just that tiny bit of crunch. The tuna literally melts in your mouth. I have turned many sushi skeptics fans by having them taste just this roll only. The second, is the classic Philly roll. Just about every sushi restaurant has their own version of this and the spicy tuna but Temari’s is always fresh. They use smoked salmon with cream cheese, cucumber and some avocado. With such basic ingredients its hard to believe that it packs such a powerful punch to the taste buds. Haven’t tried sushi or on a tight budget? Stick with the basics and try one or both of these rolls. You will become a fan. I don’t need a fancy Las Vegas roll or a Dynamite roll (although both are delicious). Sometimes I just want a roll when the flavor of the fish is the star. Two words describe this Gilbert gem perfectly. Fresh and tantalizing
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