There may be 200 Kula locations in Japan, but this is the first one to open in the U.S., so the dining experience is still unique on this side of the Pacific.

Nestled right between Century City and Westwood, Kula’s location makes it a good power-lunch spot for the agents and bankers toiling away in the nearby office towers, as well as a nice upscale sushi restaurant for denizens of the neighborhood.

Its spacious bar and dining room are outlined by rough-hewn stone walls decorated by Japanese paintings that make the restaurant feel something like a cross between a corporate boardroom and a spa.

Start with the spicy tuna over crispy rice. And we mean crispy—it’s almost like a crouton. The King Crab “Sunomono” is simple but perfect with just a few sweet, fresh crab legs served with lemon.

Next try the eponymous Kula Roll, which is shrimp, avocado and cucumber wrapped in glossy seared salmon belly that adds just a touch of salt to this creamy roll.

The Saikyo Miso grilled black cod is sweet and tender, while the shrimp tempura arrives at your table with generous-sized prawns crisped in a light batter. This is a sushi restaurant, though, so don’t leave without trying a few rolls or pieces of sashimi like the velvety toro, or the…interesting…flounder fin.

If you’ve had enough fish, the filet mignon in red wine sauce with creamy potato gratin is a surprisingly good entrée choice. It might not be Kobe beef, but it is still delicious.

Desserts are not too impressive, but the pear tart is tasty.

The drinks menu, however, is very impressive with specialty cocktails, and some lovely, if pricey, sake offerings. There is even a Japanese white wine which is crisp and fresh, though it lacks some of the subtlety and character American drinkers are used to.

Prices are all pretty standard, but the quality is consistently good across the menu, and the waitstaff is friendly and fast.