text: It is a good thing that Kabuki has a fun relaxed atmosphere because the food is nothing to shout about and the service is a weird combination of hectic yet slownnTo be fair Japanese food in Arizona is a dicey proposition at best especially after years in Seattle have spoiled me forever for good Asian food And at least the layout and feel of Kabuki is open and welcoming allowing for both big groups and a small more intimate setting The free edamame before the meal is a nice touch I enjoyed it but not for everyonennSome would say that a good Japanese restaurant is made or broken on its sushi and if that were true then Kabuki comes in with a resounding meh The portions are nice and big but the sushi itself fails to thrill For my money though it is the Katsu that is the mark of a great Japanese place and once again Kabuki just does not impress Their Tonkatsu breaded and fried pork is bland and unremarkable with a katsu sauce that tastes a little too much like fancy ketchupnnWe had a big group but the service was much slower than it needed to be yet the servers seemed to be running around pretty frantically the whole time often forgetting which dish went with which person and even better occasionally forgot what they were carryingnnKabuki has the feel of a new restaurant still trying to figure out what it is doing Given some time and refinement of their menu it has the potential to be that rare thing a good Japanese restaurant in the desert Until then it is only average