A mile-and-a-half from where the deer roam in the saguaro-studded foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, sit down for some izakaya-style dining. Japanese "tapas" might not be a completely accurate description for this genre of shareable plates, but you get the idea.

"Ginza" is family-owned and a nice surprise in this corner of the desert. After an evening hike in Sabino Canyon, sit down for your choice of izakaya-plates or fresh sashimi; Tucson is only a six-hour drive from the Pacific, and a four-hour drive from the Sea of Cortez. And if you've never had a bowl of 'real' ramen (just say 'no' to maruchan), you're in for a revelation of toothsome noodles in porky broth.

A few of my favorites are the sautéed shrimp-with-mild-green-chiles, the gyoza, and for a main course--the 'bibimpbap'-chirashi bowl. Over sushi-rice, you're served a generous sampling of fresh sashimi, tamagoyaki (slightly sweet rolled omelet), sprouts and seaweed, and a quail egg as a garnish. Korean-inspired spicy/sweet 'bibim' sauce tops it off. (In cuisine, at least, Korea and Japan do get along well...)

Chef/owner Jun Arai's wife, Diana, is from Mexico...which explains the home-made flan(!) on the menu.

Take a hike, then take a seat. After the cactus--kampai!