Sushi Eye! And a special wine experience.

I made my second visit to Sushi Eye! in Tempe last night and I was just as impressed as last time. This has become my favorite sushi place in town. Richard, the head-chef, like the rest of the staff, is very friendly and he sure knows how to make sushi.

It probably didn't hurt that I went there with my wine buddies who are long-time regulars, and that we brought - and shared with Richard - plenty of great wine, so we got the extra special treatment. I didn't see a menu all night and dishes just kept coming out, each more exciting than the last.

The night was made even more special by my friend Josh, who brought a bottle of 2001 Penfolds Grange! And, that reminds me of my first great wine experience. For his 40th birthday, my dad bought himself a 1982 Penfolds Grange, and then he held onto it until New Year's Eve 1999 when we opened it with dinner at my aunt and uncle's house. This was my aha-moment, I had no idea wine could be like that: so rich, so complex, so many layers that seemingly lingered forever in my mouth. Well, the 2001 is just about as impressive - I can only imagine what it will be like after 17 years.

We started at 6:30 PM and finished around 11 - a true full evening event. As we were getting ready to pay, Richard told us the whole meal was on the house - unbelievable! What a fantastic gesture for his regulars! And, for lucky little me.