Scottsdale is so many things, shopping, nightclubs, excessive, culinary delight, etc. It is also a neighborhood, if you take the time to look past everything else. If you stumbled into Ra or Stingray sushi on one of your forgettable nights drinking, keep going to those "other" sushi places.
If you want a neighborhood feel, great service, excellent portions and a great price point, check out Sakana. They have 4 locations in the Valley. This location is only one that I have visited so far.
I met Dhargya there last night, he wanted to introduce two european beauties to great sushi. It was "We are the World" all over again. Dhargya is from Tibet, Manu - Italy (near Lake Como), Natalia - Ukraine , and me - Pittsburgh (proud of it). The 4 of us ate until full and even managed to take home some Vegetable Tempura. For $100, including tip and many bottles of hot sake, I would say it is a steal. Be forewarned though - if you arrive between 6:30 and 8pm, there will probably be a waiting list.