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You wouldn’t expect an upscale American spot to crush it with seafood but South Village Grille in German Village does exactly that. While they’re not a seafood restaurant, they’ve built a reputation for doing it really, really well. From a lobster roll that rivals the coasts to fresh, flavorful catches you’d swear were just pulled from the ocean, their seafood game is strong enough to surprise even the skeptics.
Take it from me, a man who won’t touch a lobster roll if I’m more than 20 miles from the shore. South Village Grille changed that.
The Seafood Situation
I’ll be honest: whenever I see a lobster roll on a menu in Central Ohio, I raise an eyebrow. Too many places skimp on the good stuff. But South Village Grille’s Connecticut-style lobster roll is the real deal. This thing is stuffed with lobster, dressed with lemon, tarragon, dill, and chives, and served warm with butter so rich you’ll want to dunk, drizzle, and maybe even bathe in it.
If you’re a mussel maniac like me, their Bloody Mary Mussels will be your new obsession. Tomato, white wine, chorizo, onion, celery — it’s like a cocktail and a seafood dish had a very delicious baby. Even better? They’re only $10 every Monday for Mussel Monday. What a steal.
And then there’s the Crab Crusted Walleye. I don’t know how they convinced a crab to crust a walleye (ba dum tss), but the buttery and flaky fish paired with that rich crab topping and citrus beurre blanc is ridiculously good.
The Hidden Sushi Speakeasy
But here’s the real twist: hidden behind a wall at South Village Grille is Jony’s Sushi, a speakeasy-style sushi bar with its own vibe and menu. It feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different restaurant without ever leaving German Village.
The rolls here range from classics like spicy tuna to over-the-top creations like the Mr. Miyagi Roll. This thing is loaded with tuna, salmon, escolar, scallions, cream cheese, yuzu tobiko, topped with spicy tuna, tempura flakes, eel sauce, spicy mayo, and wasabi aioli. It’s as extra as it sounds, and every bite is worth it.
Pro tip: don’t skip happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3–6pm) or their Bourbon Tuesday specials. Between the seafood, the cocktails, and the hidden sushi speakeasy, this place is basically two restaurants in one.
If you’re craving seafood that doesn’t taste like it traveled here on a Greyhound, and you also love the thrill of a hidden sushi bar, South Village Grille and Jony’s Sushi need to be on your radar.
This article is a paid promotion sponsored by an SOC advertiser and designed to share valuable info with our readers.