if ninja is the suckiest place to eat japanese, then kabuki is the welcomed breath of fresh air that i needed. usually when you go to the new fancy shmancy over-the-top decor restaurants the food is lacking. much to my surprise, this place was decent. we ordered sushi and entrees (i forgot to take pix) and it was really decent tasting semi-fusion-ish japanese food.
a bit on the pricey side but at least it tasted pretty good. where ninja's keystone cop waitresses lacked, kabuki waitresses did very well. they were appropriately attentive, nice, but not hovering or annoying. we had the 5'10'' former WNBA waitress who was pleasant and cordial.
i know that the tempe mktplace is taking a lotta hits on how crappy it is but i was pleasantly surprised at the outdoor mall area. there's this cool conversation pit by a gas fireplace in front of barnes and noble. very family friendly and hopping on a friday nite. my 15 m/o daughter was mesmerized by the water fountains and dancing water displays.
8 months of the year this place would be a great place to walk and hang out. i hope it doesn't become a 1 hit wonder and fall to the way of the other malls of the past.