Motomoto opened on June 3 in downtown Phoenix. Natasha Yee Motomoto from p 29 a refreshing yet unique salad. Looking a bit mummified, the Moto Tempura Set was next. A pile of shrimp, shitake mushrooms, kabocha squash, and lotus root seemed thrown onto the plate haphazardly aside tentsuyu, a salty and sweet tempura dipping sauce. The thick, doughy battered shrimp and veggies tasted better than they looked, though we wouldn’t order the dish again. It wasn’t crisp, airy, or delicate as tempura promises to be. The Hamachi Sashimi was our favorite dish of the evening, perhaps the only one we’d return for. Yellowtail sashimi sat in a bright yuzu dressing with chili flakes and micro cilantro, at once spicy and invigo- rating. The sauce could be sipped on its own, and the himachi, topped with sliced Fresno chiles, was fresh. At this point, our server came by to tell us that the kitchen would be closing soon and that we needed to put in our final orders. It was 9:20 p.m. on a Friday night and the restaurant closed at 10:30 p.m. Feeling the pressure, we chose the Spicy Vegan Ramen and the Matcha Tiramisu based on our server’s recommendations. It was awkward ordering dessert before the meal was over, and though the restaurant wasn’t busy, with just one other table inside, we felt rushed out. The vegan ramen featured rich coconut broth, green spinach noodles, shitake mushrooms, Chinese broccoli, and diced tofu. And the Matcha Tiramisu was a fun play on the Italian version, the grassiness of the matcha blending with the creami- ness of the mascarpone cheese, topped with powdered sugar-coated raspberries and a matcha cream slathered lady finger decorated with delicate flower petals. By this time, at about 10:15 p.m., chairs were being stacked and blinds were being lowered. If Motomoto expects to excel in the competitive downtown Phoenix space, it’s going to need to up the ante on presen- tation, atmosphere, and service. We’re hoping that they’re simply growing pains for the new restaurant, as nobody likes to feel like a nuisance instead of a paying customer. Perhaps Motomoto could take some cues from its pleasant and tasty sister restaurant Nanaya. Motomoto Sushi & Izakaya Inside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Phoenix 15 East Monroe Street 480-868-7981 Monday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m. Liar’s from p 31 with cherry, key lime, and vanilla. “It’s funny the name is the Liar’s Club, and it’s a pretty honest, straightforward project we’re doing here,” Brock says. Inside the deep, dark space, trophies line the rail above the booths. With a back- ground in art, Brock is building an installa- tion of “the trophies that none of us won.” It is the Liar’s Club after all, so expect a few embellishments. The exterior has a fresh coat of black 32 paint, and you may see a sign claiming the Liar’s Club was established back in 1973. Above the bar sits Maximón, a Mayan folk saint who is a bit of a trickster and a degen- erate, Brock says. He’ll feel at home here, where, to play into the spirit of the place, each server and bartender will have a signature lie. “You’re never going to know what’s real and what’s not,” Brock says. “You can always be sure the service is going to be really good, the food and drinks are going to be really good. Other than that, we might be lying our asses off about something.” When asked if he’s got his lie sorted out, Brock hedges. “I might just have a bunch of little white lies,” he says. Of course, there’s no way to be sure that’s true. The Liar’s Club 130 North Central Avenue Estimated opening in September. AUG 4TH–AUG 10TH, 2022 PHOENIX NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | NEWS | OPINION | FEEDBACK | CONTENTS | phoenixnewtimes.com
