While mindful of the wisdom: \"Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.\", I admit to trying this place three times.  \n\nAttended first visit two years ago as an invited guest of others.  I remember food being acceptable but service glacially slow, ineffective and impersonal.  It's all perfectly described in other reviews.\n\nSecond visit could be better described as an attempt.  Showed up without reservations on a busy night, was told by person presumed to be hostess that was ok and to wait a minute for table to be cleared.  After standing by with other unacknowledged patrons for 15 long minutes we were then addressed by a different person who, obviously under stress, communicated like the White House Chief of Staff announcing the shooting of the President at a press conference (seen that) and told us we were not going to get a table in the foreseeable future without a reservation.  Bye-bye. \n\nWent back last night with dear-old Mom, who wished to redeem a gift card.  Read other reviews, if you still are reading, for gift card experiences of others we experienced.  I made reservations.  Was shown to our table immediately upon arrival by the hostess.  White House Chief of Staff imitator from last visit was our server. A real master of defensive behavior wrapped into a disguise of hospitality, the first things she demanded to know upon approaching the table was why we had no menus, and why were we sitting at a table labeled \"reserved\" (\"Hello\" must be out of vogue). She didn't believe our story about having reservations and double checked with the hostess.  I'll quit with that and spare you the rest.   Sushi not very fresh (yes, I am conscious of the fact we are in the desert) and batter on tempura was like the coating found on cheap, supermarket deli food.  Yuk. \n\nI crack up reading the four star reviews.  Even they had problems.   You guys get out much?  \n\nStrike three, you're out, Sushi Ko.