I have heard of Kampai long before I started Yelping, why it took me so long to go I haven't a clue!
The restaurant is basically a sushi bar with a dining room attached...no emphasis on the dining room part. The sushi bar is large enough to fit quite a few people though! We were seated in the dining area.
Just to test the "waters" my wife and I ordered just tetaki, assorted sushi and a few traditional rolls. I must say it was probably the most professionally handled, freshest fish I have eaten in Phoenix. I don't know who the owner is, but he knows his stuff!! Helps that we went on a Thursday (if anyone has read Kitchen Confidential, you know what I mean).
We will be back for more! My only gripe is our server barely understood english and I don't speak Japanese. She missed on 2 orders of sushi, forgot one and brought us something we didn't order. Another server tried to serve us a few plates that another table ordered. Was pretty funny though when the table guests saw me playfully reaching for their plate with my chopsticks!
This is one "character of a restaurant", if you can put up with the quirks your in for some food!