226 B EST SA L A D S Perfect Pear Bistro 603 W. University Drive, Tempe 480-966-7327 And other Valley locations perfectpearbistro.com Restaurant salads are often predictable at best to sad, droopy or just plain weird at worst. Suffering through slimy lettuce, rubbery cherry tomatoes, wedge salads drowning in dressing or cardboardy kale Caesars adds insult to injury when you’re trying to eat right. But family-owned East Valley mini-chain Perfect Pear Bistro will make you eager to devour greens and super- foods. It features 10 entree salads with inter- esting ingredient combinations, delicious housemade dressings and a wide choice of add-on proteins including chicken, shrimp, salmon and mock chik’n or falafel for vegans. The Perfect Pear Classic is a lovely and surprising balance of sweet, savory, herbal and tart thanks to pears (of course), dried cranberries, gorgonzola, mint, red onions and toasted hazelnuts topped with cider vinaigrette. The Baja lime will satisfy your Southwestern cravings, while Strawberry Fields adds naughty bacon to the fruity mix (though you can ask to leave it off). Many items sport other, guiltless protein sources such as quinoa, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. There are also quinoa bowls, tacos, pasta, sandwiches, soups and a full bar, including wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails, so it’s ideal for groups of disparate diners and drinkers. 22222 B E ST S U S H I Shimogamo 2051 W. Warner Road, Suite C, Chandler 480-899-7191 2320 S. Santan Village Parkway, 104, Gilbert 602-595-6448 shimogamoaz.com Fresh fish is the name of the game at Shimogamo, a sushi counter and upscale restaurant tucked into the corner of an unas- suming Chandler strip mall. The family behind the restaurant moved to Arizona from Japan in 1994. Determined to share the true flavors of their homeland, they opened Shimogamo in 2003. Founders Sanae and Yoshio Otomo have since passed the torch to their daughter, Mika, and her husband, Tokyo-trained chef Daisuke Itagaki. The duo recently expanded the concept with a new location in Gilbert, but we’re partial to the original, modern yet cozy sushi counter in Chandler. For the freshest catch, check the specials board to see what these talented sushi chefs are slicing up daily. 22222 B E ST R A M E N Origami Ramen Bar 4810 E. Ray Road 480-940-4455 origamiramenbar.com Ahwatukee isn’t generally known as a culi- nary destination, but people come from far and wide for Origami Ramen. Owner/chef Yusuke Kuroda, an Osaka native and Nobu alum, opened an affordable, family-friendly, casual joint in summer 2020, and we’ve deemed it the best ramen in Best of Phoenix for four years running. The classic creamy chicken and pork broth is insanely rich and fragrant, while the black soy with black garlic oil imparts otherworldly earthy umami. More than a dozen bowls come with curly noodles with a slight chew or silky, slender noodles; you can’t go wrong. Protein choices are tender, fall-apart white meat chicken, pork belly cha-shu or tofu, and garnishes include fresh-as-can-be green
