Nashville, TN (April 20, 2022) — While the weather in Music City is heating up, so is the kitchen at Commons Club, the flagship restaurant and social epicenter of Virgin Hotels Nashville. The celebrated culinary team under the direction of executive chef Ryan Lachaine is debuting a new menu that shines the spotlight on products procured from local purveyors, resulting in a wide-ranging menu that reflects the best of Tennessee along with irresistible global flavors.
Launching on Wednesday, April 20, the Spring menu is a study in seasonality; encouraging dining al fresco with friends and lingering over dishes perfect for sharing. Inspired by local Southern flavors, shareable plates include French Onion Dip topped with Paddlefish caviar; Bone Marrow served with Texas toast and chimichurri made with herbs from our Culinary Garden; Tuna Poke Tostada featuring line-caught and sustainably fished ahi; and Tempura Okra with ponzu sauce; all perfect to enjoy with friends and family in the welcoming dining room or outdoor patio on Nashville’s iconic Music Row.
Toast with a classic Commons Clubs cocktail such as the Caffeine Cowboy – a Nashville take on the espresso martini – while dining on heartier delights in The Kitchen; the main dining room featuring an open-style kitchen and chef’s table. Tennessee traditions take a creative spin in the Southern Fried Chicken paired with garlic mashed potatoes, sauce suprême and fines herbs; while indulgent Char Siu Sticky Ribs paired with cucumber sunomono may warrant a request for an extra napkin. From land-to-sea, noteworthy entrees include Braised Short Rib complemented by charred broccolini and crispy local fingerling potatoes; Crispy Pork Belly with cheese grits and citrus brown butter, a classic Ribeye Steak Frites, as well as Furikake Salmon with frisee and pea puree; and Seared Scallops atop miso butter.
With a focus on sustainability and sourcing, many of the new dishes will utilize ingredients from the Commons Clubs’ very own Culinary Garden, developed to emphasize the property’s use of high-quality local ingredients. A supplement to current area suppliers, the garden showcases the rich bounty of Middle Tennessee boasting an array of over 20 vegetables and herbs including spring peas, beets, sweet corn, zucchini, thyme, rosemary, African blue basil, chives, sage, and lavender. Special attention is also given to local partners, with dishes such as the shareable ham of the month paired with house mustard and water crackers, and the baked brie served with seasonal jam and local honey, sourced from nearby farmers and cheesemakers.
Although the new menu represents a major change up, crowd favorites will remain. Diners will be grateful to recognize staples that have become standards – oysters, crispy Brussels sprouts, truffle fries and. Sorghum Roasted Duck Breast, herbed Ricotta Gnocchi Pomodoro and the legendary Lobster Spaghetti are not leaving the menu anytime soon. Of course, any time spent at Commons Club should end with dessert worth indulging in. Banana Pudding and Vegan Strawberry Cake are new on the menu, destined to summon leave guests on the sweetest of high notes.
Or perhaps the night just calls for a stint at The Bar, the eye-catching centerpiece that anchors the space. Take a seat under the ambient lightbulb chandelier to enjoy a bevy of vibrant handcrafted cocktails including VIP is Always Better – Hendricks, rhubarb-lavender shrub and lavender ice; The Boss – Wild Turkey Rye, Cynar and Byrrh Grand Sweet Vermouth; Beewitched – Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, green tea and lemon; Topanga – Rittenhouse Rye 100, blackberry basil syrup and lemon; and H20Mojo – white rum, watermelon, mint syrup and lime. Also on tap, a selection of brews from local Nashville breweries as well as sparkling, white, red and rosé wines by the glass.
Virgin Hotels Nashville is located at 1 Music Square W on the city’s iconic Music Row. For more info, head to the website: www.virginhotels.com/nashville/. For more information on Commons Club, visit commonsclub.com/nashville and follow-on Instagram at @commonsclubnsh. Commons Club is open for breakfast and lunch Monday to Sunday from 7AM to 2PM. Dinner is served Sunday to Thursday from 4PM to 11PM; Friday and Saturday from 4PM to midnight. Weekend brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 4PM.
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