ramen shop from Jeff Tsao (whose family owned the Kahiki Supper Club) adds a little rock ’n’ roll to traditional Japanese fare. The Signature Tonkotsu and Red Dragon ramens are standouts, along with varying Japanese-themed, hand-crafted cocktails at the Dublin location. LD Fusian | Japanese | 4214 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-826-2392; 4190 Worth Ave., Easton, 614-532-8383; 855 W. Fifth Ave., Fifth by Northwest, 614-670-4323. Started by three childhood friends, Fusian is a fastgrowing local chain that takes a fast-casual approach to sushi rolls and bowls. LD Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse | Japanese | 2690 S. Hamilton Rd., East Side, 614-577-9620. You’ll find communal, hibachi-grill dining plus a lot more at this Japanese restaurant with an extensive menu that includes sushi, bento boxes, teriyaki and more. LD
Kintsugi Sushi Bar
Smith’s Deli & Restaurant | Italian | 3737 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-267-7541. A neighborhood, familyowned restaurant that’s been serving classic Italian fare since 1961. Expect dishes like deli sandwiches, lasagna, pizza, Reubens and stromboli. LD Spaghetti Warehouse | Italian | 397 W. Broad St., Downtown, 614-464-0143. This family favorite serves heaping portions of Italian dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli and baked penne, in a cavernous warehouse setting near COSI. LD
Vittoria Ristorante & Bar | Italian | 10241 Sawmill Pkwy., Powell, 614-791-8100. This upscale restaurant brings together authentic Italian favorites with contemporary dishes. D
Speck Italian Eatery | Italian | 15 E. Winter St., Delaware, 740-417-4074. Chef Josh Dalton’s take on Italian cuisine. Speck’s frequently changing menu showcases fresh ingredients, with dishes ranging from salmon crudo to fried oysters to spaghetti pomodoro. Don’t skip the thoughtful cocktail, wine and beer lists. D
Z Cucina di Spirito | Italian | 6584 Riverside Dr., Dublin, 614-916-9200; 1368 Grandview Ave., Fifth by Northwest, 614-486-9200. An upscale Italian restaurant offering a blend of traditional and modern Italian flavors with an emphasis on sourcing local ingredients. D
TAT Ristorante di Famiglia | Italian | 1210 S. James Rd., East Side, 614-236-1392. Homemade recipes are served in a relaxed, welcoming setting at this longtime family-owned restaurant, with ravioli, veal Parmigiana, steak and seafood. Breakfast served Saturdays. BLD
Japanese
Tony’s Italian Ristorante | Italian | 16 W. Beck St., Brewery District, 614-224-8669. In business since 1982, this white-tablecloth Brewery District stalwart offers a blend of traditional and modern Italian-American food, with lasagna, shrimp scampi, veal saltimbocca and “Tony’s Own” fettuccine. Private party rooms are available. D Trattoria Roma | Italian | 1447 Grandview Ave., Fifth by Northwest, 614-488-2104. Serving authentic Italian cuisine for nearly 30 years, Trattoria Roma specializes in made-to-order dishes, with a variety of antipasti and pasta dishes. D Villa Nova Ristorante | Italian | 5545 N. High St., Worthington, 614-846-5777. This family-owned eatery is a local favorite for its red-sauce Italian cuisine (manicotti, lasagna and ravioli), no-frills pizza and ice-cold beer. LD PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
Vino Vino | Italian | 1371 Grandview Ave., Fifth by Northwest, 614-481-8850. The sister wine bar to Figlio Wood Fired Pizza in Grandview, this eatery has fresh flavors that pair well with choices from the extensive wine list. The menu includes crab cakes, pasta, salmon and beef tenderloin. D
Vincenzo’s Convenient Elegance | Italian | 6393 Sawmill Rd., Dublin, 614-792-1010. An Old World Italian market for heat-and-eat offerings made inhouse daily, including hot and sweet sausages, pasta, calzones and eggplant Parmesan. LD
The 1126 Restaurant | Japanese | 1126 N. High St., Short North, 614-725-3435. This cozy and chic sushi restaurant offers an assortment of appetizers and sushi alongside happy hour specials from 3–6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. LD Akai Hana | Japanese | 1173 Old Henderson Rd., Northwest Side, 614-451-5411. A popular Japanese restaurant boasting some of the city’s best sushi. The large menu features bento box combos, udon, soba, tempura and teriyaki, as well as some Korean dishes. LD FuGu Sushi | Japanese | 10503 Blacklick Eastern Rd., Ste. 900, Pickerington, 614-986-8838. A 96-seat spot offering a variety of dishes for dine-in or carryout, with sushi, sashimi, beef negimaki and udon. LD Fujiyama Steak House of Japan | Japanese | 5755 Cleveland Ave., North Side, 614-891-2224. Dishes are grilled at your table by entertaining chefs at this Japanese steakhouse serving teriyaki chicken, hibachi steak, filet mignon and seafood. LD Fukuryu Ramen | Japanese | 4540 Bridge Park Ave., Dublin, 614-553-7392; 1600 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington, 614-929-5910. This modern, bustling
Iron Chef | Japanese | 12995 Stonecreek Dr., Pickerington, 614-868-2105. A Japanese steakhouse offering a hibachi grill at your table, with filet mignon, lobster, shrimp and sushi rolls. LD Jonys Sushi | Japanese | 195 Thurman Ave., German Village, 614-706-4979. The owners of South Village Grille opened this sushi spot right next door in 2019. The colorful shop offers appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, classic sushi rolls and a variety of interesting specialty rolls. LD NEW Kintsugi Sushi Bar | Japanese | 6750 Longshore St., Dublin, 614-683-8790. Located inside North Market Bridge Park, Kintsugi is the creation of chef/ co-owner Seigo Nishimura, who studied at the Tokyo Sushi Academy in Japan. His menu features yakitori and a variety of fresh sushi rolls, including both maki (cut rolls) and temaki (hand rolls). LD NEW Kirin Noodle Bar | Japanese | 4227 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-867-5356. A ramen shop offering a variety of appetizers such as karaage, chashu pork buns and hand rolls, with a selection of Japanese whiskies. LD Kooma Restaurant | Japanese | 37 Vine St., Short North, 614-224-3239. A sleek sushi spot near the North Market serving a variety of creative sushi rolls like the Kooma Roll, Buckeye Roll and spicy tuna roll. LD Machi Hibachi | Japanese | Food Truck, Citywide, 419-967-0334. Fried rice with your choice of protein (chicken, steak or shrimp) and sautéed veggies. Quick, cheap and delicious. LD Meshikou Ramen | Japanese | 1506 Bethel Rd., Northwest Side, 614-457-1689. Meshikou is an openkitchen ramen shop focusing on authentic preparations of noodle bowls, as well as a few Japanese comfort food starters. LD Moshi Sushi Bar | Japanese | 2152 E. Main St., Bexley, 614-732-0641. A stylish spot in the heart of Bexley serving a mix of traditional and modern Japanese entrées, sushi and Pan-Asian fare. The menu includes the Sushi Panini, bulgogi, tempura, sashimi, sushi rolls and yakisoba. LD Mr. Sushi | Japanese | 3 N. High St., Dublin, 614889-8788. A casual sushi joint in Dublin that offers maki, sashimi, nigiri, hibachi meals and stone-pot bibimbap. LD Ninja Bowl | Japanese | Food Truck, Citywide, 614329-4350 A Japanese street food specialist, featuring teriyaki bowls. LD
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