“Downtown is the place to be,” according to Sens owner Linda Q. Sens Asian Tapas and Sake Bar first opened in Phoenix in October 22, 2008.
“It is nice to see independent businesses here. We live in downtown, work in downtown, and it only makes sense to open the restaurant in downtown Phoenix,” Q. says. “Many new businesses have opened in the past year due to the increased interest in downtown Phoenix, including Asu and First Friday artwalk. We opened in downtown because we have been in downtown for the past eight years. This is our hometown. We also feel there is a lack of urban life in such a large city. We wanted to built something different and open a restaurant that reflects that through design and our concept.”
Sens is the first Asian Tapas restaurant in Phoenix, and it thrives on its originality in food, drink and décor.
“We wanted an inviting and welcoming atmosphere in a very urban, modern space,” Q. says. “My husband and I personally designed every aspect of the restaurant, and most of the design items you see at the restaurant we did ourselves. When designing the space, I wanted to bring (an L.A.) vibe to downtown Phoenix. We wanted to provide our clients a social house in downtown Phoenix in which everyone can enjoy and feel comfortable in with out compromising in our vision and concept of the restaurant.”
Sens is a small building full of character. Small, pink cherry blossom lanterns hang over the bar where students can watch the amazing chef, Johnny Chu, do his work. The décor is simple, urban and chic compared to Sens’s diverse menu.
“All of the food we have is prepared daily with market fresh ingredients. I should know because I go to the markets everyday!” Q. says. “Our specials offer market fresh fish and seasonal vegetables. Our tapas are one of a kind, and I am sure can not be found anywhere else. Our drink menu offers over 80 different sake and shochu (japanese vodka). We also have specialty beers from Asia (as well as) specialty martini and Saketini that I created especially for Sens. All of our drinks, including our limited wine lists, were handpicked to complement the tapas that is served here at Sens.”
The menu at Sens serves a variety of meals at both lunch and dinner.
“Our lunch menu differs from our dinner menu,” Q. says. “We offer limited tapas during lunch, including soups and salads. Our main courses during lunch include wok fry items with rice or noodles. We only use fresh premium vegetables and ingredients with a choice of chicken, tofu, beef tenderloin or shrimp with each entrée. Our dinner menu is our full tapas including our specials for that day and dessert.”
A few of Sens dishes will even pack a punch for those who are a bit sensitive to spicy dishes.
“We don’t really have any dish that is overpowered with spice. I guess it really depends on your spice tolerance,” Q. says. “Some of our spicier dishes include red curry tofu, ginger duck salad and wasabi tofu. We do offer more mild items but still full of flavor including cold duck, napa rolls, shu mai, soup gyoza and miso soup shabu styled.”
If the food, drink and décor isn’t enough for a visit at Sens, the nightlife scene at Sens might be.
“At night Sens has a DJ spinning Wednesday through Saturday, with Friday and Saturday featuring two DJs throughout the night. The lighting, ambiance, decor and vibe of the restaurant is very fun and hip,” Q. says. “It’s a place to enjoy the company you are with, meet new people, drink, eat and just be happy!”
Reach the reporter at theresa.dillon@asu.edu
If you go:
Sens Asian Tapas and Sake Bar
705 N. 1st Street #120
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Call (602)340-9777 for reservations.
Prices range from $4 to $8 tapas and $9 to $13 wok fry entrees.
Students receive a 15% discount on food items with student ID.
Visit sensake.com to view Sens’s menu.
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