Restaurants in Martinsville

The historical brick building that houses Janko's Little Zagreb, once a reputed 1940s brothel, now beckons in a much more respectable clientele with its cheerful red awning and brightly lit dining room. Large cushy booths enclose red-checkered tables, while IU football and basketball posters speckle the walls. Tables have a clear view of two open grills, which sizzle with menu items including thick, succulent USDA Choice steaks, seafood, and more. An extensive wine list and locally made beer from Upland Brewing Company wash down entrees as IU fans dish out endless Hoosier puns, such as “Hoosier daddy?” and “Hoosier favorite Disney princess?”

Although the sushi chefs at Wasabi on 82nd can expertly fashion traditional rolls, their skill shows even more when slicing their own creations. The Kiss of Fire roll marries cream cheese and asparagus tempura with eel and smoked salmon in an eight-piece serving. The Mistake roll, a favorite of many local diners, surprises tongues with spicy tempura tuna made spicier with the house secret sauce. All in all, the chefs can create more than 40 rolls, each with a special addition, from fresh tuna and tangy sauces to exotic eel and bite-activated confetti cannons.

Sushi on the Rocks pleases the palates, eyes, and ears of patrons with fresh Japanese fare, refreshing libations, and live jazz tunes. Owner John J. Lee crafts nearly 80 nigiri and maki options that range from sweet fresh fruit sushi to elaborate specialty rolls, such as the spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, and asparagus bundled into the Playboy roll. Entrees include grilled chicken drenched in teriyaki sauce, teriyaki steak or chicken options, and new specialty rolls such as the Mexican roll with shrimp tempura, and mixed crab, which is topped with spicy tuna, avocado, and mango. Thirst-quenching hot sake can warm chilled throats and the hearts of fish-loving misers, while more than 10 varieties of wines spare diners the arduous task of juicing their own raisins. Melodies swim through the elegant dining room Thursday and Saturday evenings, tickling eardrums with the sounds of jazz.

Great American Grill shows it patriotism not only through the flag waving proudly on its menu cover, but also with classic American cuisine. The kitchen’s country-fried steak and breaded shrimp evoke down-home charm, as does the hearty housemade chili. Sandwiches range from juicy bacon cheeseburgers to chicken salad, and a rotating daily special infuses the menu with surprise more safely than garnishing every other meal with a lit firework.