Stick to the basics that have a high likelihood of good execution. Stay away from the trendy/stretch stuff (e.g. the grilled squid appetizer) - order that where you've developed confidence in the restaurant.
ATMOSPHERE: fine, nothing mind blowing. Solid music imo.
SERVICE: good-natured and fairly attentive. No complaints.
FOOD: the short rib was very good. Presentation was average but it's 99% about the taste, and it was great. Melts in your mouth. However, the reason behind the 2 s was the "grilled squid" appetizer. The calamari rings were not right - truly like eating leather, I can't articulate it any other way. Not sure if it was undercooked or just poor quality. I'd rather have a restaurant with consistent, average, predictable food than one with a strong entree but an seriously off-putting appetizer.
PRICE: non-sushi is reasonable, sushi (especially nigiri/sashimi) seemed exorbitant, even by New York standards. Perhaps that's a function of PHX being relatively land-locked.