Pearl is an anomaly in Scottsdale- a reasonably-priced quality bar/sushi place that doesn't discriminate. I can head here for a pre-bar on Saturday night and feel fine, and I can even come here in jeans and a t-shirt for happy hour and not feel out of place.
The Sushi menu isn't the most extravagant- no varieties of fish or shellfish that you can't find elsewhere- but what they do, they do well.
The drinks? $5 Sake Bombers. All I need with my rolls is an "Asahi and Cold, please". Apparently the Martinis and Bombers are big crowd favorites, but I can't testify to that.
The sevrice? Not fast. If you're coming in at 5:00 and trying to get a roll and a beer before heading to a 5:30 show at Fashion Square, you're probably not going to make it. Personally, I don't understand when I'm sitting next to someone at the rail ordering a dragon roll and a martini while constantly looking at his or her watch while griping about the time. You want something from the sea in a hurry? Go eat a Filet-'o'-Fish. I like to relax and savor, and Pearl is comforatble enough that I can do that.
Prices? Best I've seen for Sushi. Their "always happy hour" promotion is great- I can walk in with a friend, have a couple beers and sake, split a few rolls, and walk out full and content for under $60... for BOTH of us. That's amazing. On Sundays, they actually have even more promotions, where they let you roll dice for even more off your bill.
I highly suggest Sunday or early weeknights if you're exploring it for the first time. Weekend evenings can get tight for seating.
Pearl isn't the end-all, be-all of Japanese cuisine. It's Pearl, and that's fine by me.