Lunch Pick: Kinjo Sushi and Grill

Eating at Kinjo’s Dalhousie location makes for a lively lunch hour

Sometimes, food can be serious business, but, like most things in life, it’s a smile that makes the day-to-day worthwhile. For years, Peter Kinjo has made it his mission to merge his fun-filled nature and a love of Japanese cuisine, sharing it with many a Calgarian.

Though there are multiple locations of this popular sushi restaurant across the city, the northwest location in Dalhousie lends itself best to a variety of dining situations. It’s great for a family dinner, a lively date for two or even a quick lunch, if you’re craving some sushi.

Merging playfulness and edibles, you can order from an array of colourful and tasty rolls for the table, like the robust lobster roll or the Las Vegas roll, which comes fried and topped with sliced strawberries and rice crisps. A true showstopper, especially if there are younger diners present, would have to be Kinjo’s kiss dragon roll – two different sushi “dragons,” curled up together and topped with sliced salmon and avocado, and stuffed with tempura shrimp.

I’m sure that, if it was legal to ignite fireworks in restaurants, owner Kinjo would make sure that your meal would end with them as he strives to offer a dining experience that is equal parts appetite-fulfillment and entertainment. Needless to say, it’s near-impossible to walk out of the door here without a smile on your face.

(5005 Dalhousie Dr. N.W., 403-452-8389, kinjosushiandgrill.com)