When the years start creeping up, most people think about retiring. No so Khoa Nguyen. The California transplant decided it was high time he had his own restaurant instead of working in other operations. "I have always wanted to do something for myself and thought before I get too old, I'd better give it a shot," said Nguyen with a laugh.

His own spot is Kuroshio Sushi Bar and Grille, tucked into a corner of the Cobb Place shopping center off Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw. In an area better known for its destination meat restaurants (think Outback, Bugaboo), Nguyen is adding a bit of Pacific zing. (The name comes from an ocean current that swirls around Japan. "We believe the fish from that area are very good because they have to use their muscles a lot," Nguyen said.)

Renee Brock/special (ENLARGE)
Salmon and tuna sashimi is one of the many offerings at Kuroshio.
Renee Brock/special (ENLARGE)
Patrons enjoy lunch at the Kuroshio Sushi Bar and Grille in Kennesaw, which is owned by California transplant Khoa Nguyen.
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Several sushi chefs are charged with producing consistent and fresh seafood combinations. "But we also have about 80 percent of the menu dedicated to cooked items," Nguyen said.

Bite- or plate-sized

Diners will find umbrella-shaded tables on the patio, 125 seats in the dining room and room for several more at the sushi bar where they can watch the experts create the choice morsels of marinated tuna, salmon sashimi and thinly sliced white fish. Go for several $1 bites of squid, mackerel, eel or urchin, or make a meal out of the large sushi plates that come with an assortment of seafood, soup and a salad. Two of the platters are designed for four or more diners to share.

Dinners are served with soup, salad and rice; main dishes include sauteed tofu with veggies; shrimp, tilapia, oysters and crab tempura; breaded pork or chicken cutlets; lemongrass chicken, beef or tilapia; and grilled salmon or sea bass. Salmon, pork, beef, shrimp, scallops, oysters, tuna and chicken all get the teriyaki treatment. Fried rice and noodles are enhanced with chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, squid and scallops. Seared tuna and salmon can be added to organic spring greens with ginger or cucumber sauce.

For lunch, the main attractions are sushi combo platters, priced from $7 to $15, along with several noodle and teriyaki dishes. Kids have their own menu, with teriyaki and tempura choices.

From the bar

There are no mixed drinks, so start with a sampling from the 15 chilled and room-temp sakes. The draft and bottled beer selection includes Japanese and other imported varieties, as well as brews from local producers. The wine list is a simple mix of reds and whites, all available by the glass or bottle.

Just for fun

Nguyen plans to add a comedy night that will feature local and national acts, as well as open-mic sessions for budding punsters. Look for a debut in the spring.