Sapporo’s specialty plates appeal to the eyes as much as the palate.
IN THE AIRPARK
Sushi Redux
This mango basil cocktail is one of many innovative libations from Sapporo.
Sapporo’s new executive chef keeps happy hour fresh By Alison Bailin Batz / Photos courtesy Sapporo
F
or 17 years, Sapporo has been a North Scottsdale staple, offering Pacific Rim-style seafood and steaks, interactive teppanyaki tables and, of course, fresh sushi. The modern and massive space is hard to miss from its prime location on Scottsdale and Acoma roads, with its expansive patio featuring waterfalls and a nightly fire show courtesy of giant stone tiki torches that light up at dusk. The energy in Sapporo exudes trendiness without being bombastic, and guests range from golfers fresh off the course to young business professionals to women enjoying a ladies’ night out. The venue has gained national acclaim in recent years, with longtime executive chef Stephen Stromberg being scooped up by Sapporo parent company Tavistock to serve as the corporate regional chef for all of Tavistock’s West Coast restaurants, including properties with varied menus and concepts across Arizona, California and Nevada. And though he left, his legacy lives on – and has been built upon – by new executive chef Jesse Grunther and longtime
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general manager MaryAnna Ford. With Grunther joining the team, the menu and cocktail list have been reenergized with some new features while still offering the all-time crowd pleasers. During happy hour, which is offered seven days a week from 3 to 7 p.m. in the lounge and on the patio, options abound.
Dim Sum
The menu at Sapporo features more than 28 different types of sushi rolls.
These shareable plates each pack a major punch. And with each of them around $10, it’s easy to order a few and sample around the menu. We recommend: Lobster Potstickers: fresh-seared lobster sealed into a traditional Asian dumpling and served with a spicy chili butter ($10) Ahi Poke Tacos: wonton tacos with ahi tuna and wasabi mayo served with a seaweed salad and white sesame seeds ($11) Hoisin Barbecue Ribs: tender pork ribs glazed with a sweet and tangy hoisin sauce
and topped with toasted sesame seeds ($9)
Bowls
Though each of Sapporo’s three bowls – a Japanese curry with noodles, a sweet Pad Thai, and stir fry option, respectively – is a meal on its own, we recommend sharing these happy hour offerings with some dim sum and a few choice rolls if in a group. Or go wild and get all three bowls at once – each has a distinctly different flavor profile and fresh vegetables.