Diverse Menu at Village Sushi and Grill

Overview: Village Sushi and Grill is centrally located on Corinth Street, which runs through the heart of Roslindale Village. Although best known for its sushi, the menu offers Chinese, Korean, and Thai cuisine, as well. The restaurant provides both indoor and al fresco dining (weather permitting), as well as take out. Village Sushi shares its outdoor patio with Sophia’s Grotto, located just behind it on Birch Street. Also, delivery is offered in Roslindale and West Roxbury from 5-9:30 p.m., with a $20 minimum order purchase and $2 delivery fee.

Ambience: The exterior is comprised of large glass windows and a simple black and white awning. Inside is a clean, well-lit, minimalist dining room and sushi bar. The wooden tables, seats, bar and stools create a down-to-earth atmosphere. Stark Japanese art, calligraphy, and a rendition of Hoksuai’s “The Great Wave” adorns the walls and two small televisions hang behind the bar. The background music is quiet and instrumental, adding to the relaxing and Zen-like nature of the venue.

Drinks: Village Sushi offers a limited, yet affordable, selection of red, white and sweet plum wines by the glass ($6.95-$7.95) or bottle ($26-$29). Kirin, Sapporo and Sierra Nevada beer ($3.95, 12 oz.; $6.95, 22 oz.–Sapporo only) are also available. Warm or cold sake is served in a range of portions ($6.95-$29), or offered in the specialty cocktail “saki”tini, which is available in various fruit flavors. Soft drinks, hot and iced green tea, and coffee also make the drink list ($1.75-$2.95).

Appetizers: The sushi bar offers a range of raw seafood hors d’oeuvres. Tuna, octopus, squid, crabmeat combos are served with or without rice ($5.95-$8.95 per roll). From the kitchen are small Japanese dishes, including edamame (steamed and salted soybean pods, $4.50); tempura (chicken, $6.95; shrimp and vegetable, or yellowtail collar, $8.95); and gyoza (deep fried or steamed dumplings with beef or vegetables, $5.95). Standard miso soup ($1.95) and seaweed salad ($4.95) appear on the starter menu, as well.

Entrées: The sushi menu overwhelms with its maki and nigiri options. The menu boasts 15 house specialties (6-8 piece orders) with appealing names, including dragon maki (shrimp tempura with eel and avocado, $10.95) and summer breeze maki (tuna, salmon, whitefish and vegetables wrapped in cucumber, $8.95). Meaty or vegetarian stir fry dishes (served with miso soup and rice, $11.95-$14.95) provide a hearty meal, as does the generous portion of pad thai (veggie, fishy or meaty, $10.95-$13.95) or Korean bibimbop (served with rice and soup, and your choice of tofu, meat or fish, $9.95-$13.95).

Desserts: Generous portions of green tea, ginger or mochi ice cream ($3.95) or tempura ice cream (offered only in green tea or ginger, $4.95).

Service: The motto of Village Sushi and Grill could easily be “what you see is what you get.” Like the decor, menu and vibe of the restaurant, the service is straight-forward, efficient, low-key and pleasant. The staff competently takes orders and delivers them in a friendly, yet not overbearing, fashion. There is no up-selling or unnecessary whistles and bells. Everyone works quietly and responds to requests, checking in as necessary.

Location: 14 Corinth Street in Roslindale Village
Contact: 617-363-7874 
Website: www.villagesushiandgrill.com
Hours: Lunch - Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
     Dinner – Monday-Sunday, 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $$