Birthday Sushi at Virago
When it came time to decide how I wanted to spend my birthday this year, I think I shocked pretty much everyone I know by choosing something really low key.
You see, I’m sorta known for multi-day celebrations and big parties. But having just survived three fairly exhausting weekends of the Kentucky Derby, Steeplechase and Eat Write Retreat, the last thing I wanted to do was plan another big weekend of food, drink, and antics.
Virago’s White Dragon Roll
shrimp, tuna, avocado, cucumber, pickled onions, cilantro and wasabi mayo
sesame seeds, scallions, orange ponzu with sriracha sauce
Of course, considering the places I chose are fairly hot spots here in Nashville, I guess some might not really consider my evening “low key”….
The night started with a couple of cocktails at The Patterson House before moving on to dinner at an old favorite, Virago. I’ve had a mad craving for sushi lately, and since I consider Virago’s to be the best in town, I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my birthday.
Dynamite Roll – spicy tuna, salmon, cucumber, masago and sesame seeds
As we sipped our Strawberry Elderflower Sparkles on the rooftop patio, the table started to fill with my most beloved rolls, including the one that I’m afraid most people overlook, the Rainbow Box. Since my friend Charmaine introduced it to me a couple of years ago, I haven’t been able to step foot in the place without ordering one.
Rainbow Box Roll
lump crab meat salad topped with ahi, salmon and red snapper sashimi with arare cracker
Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? That arare cracker is what throws it into a whole other league.
Then there was the roll my friend Amanda insisted on ordering, the most expensive one on the menu. The Kayne Prime roll is very different than typical sushi… this one has steak on it!
Kayne Prime Roll
lobster tempura, pickled onion, avocado, jalapeño, wrapped in soy paper and chipotle rice, topped with
torched beef, sweet garlic soy, sriracha and wasabi mayo
So I”m curious -do you get sushi cravings like I do? If so, where do you go to satisfy yours?
Virago
1126 McGavock Street
Nashville TN 37203
(615) 254-1902
Open 5pm – Midnight, 7 Days a Week
I do get sushi cravings! Sadly, I have only been to Virago once. Lately I’ve been getting into fruit combos with sushi. There is a place by Lenox Village called Sushi Oh Sushi that has some killer combos. We also occasionally make our own sushi at home :)
A couple of people have told me about that sushi place in Lenox Village. I guess I need to make the trek out there to try it out! Of course, if I’m going to drive all that way, I’ll also pick up some bbq from Martin’s for later consumption ;-)
Sounds like you had a wonderfully blessed birthday! The food looks really good. I am not a big Sushi person but that Kayne Prime Roll looks really delicious!! If you get a chance I would love for you to enter my eco friendly giveaway.
Love the sushi at Samurai, Koto, and Ken’s Sushi (my old secret.
I really wanna try the robata – ya have any of that?
I used to go to Ken’s all the time but haven’t been in years. Since I work in Cool Springs, I often get my sushi fix on lunch at Sake. There are a few rolls there that I love.
Have had some of the things from the robata and thought they were just okay….nothing that made me want to order any of it over the sushi!
I get sushi cravings quite often and I really enjoy PM. I work in Maryland Farms so sometimes I go to Peter’s. Since I live in Franklin, I’m going to have to try Sake. I’ve never been to Virago but would love to go. There are TONS of sushi places in Nashville that I haven’t been that I would love to try!! Your birthday celebration sounds right up my alley.
Ooh, yes, I like PM and Peter’s both! Sake has been my go-to spot in CS for a few years now. A friend and I meet there for lunch at least once a month. It’s located in a strip center over by Cool Springs Wine & Spirits. You’ll have to try it some time and let me know what you think!
I had an amazing meal at Virago a few wks ago, too…it’s always one of my fave places to go. I am obsessed with the V2 edamame with that amazing sauce. It’s all I can do not to lick the bowl ;-). We are also huge fans of Wild Ginger, we hit sushi happy hour there at least 2x a mo. The Mexican with the honey fire sauce and the Oasis Thai are the best. Also, Koi in Franklin and Sake. We actually picked up to go sushi from Sake on the way home from the hospital after I had my last child….9 mos was entirely too long to wait!!!
I need to get to Wild Ginger more often. I don’t know why I always forget about it! Maybe I can hit sushi happy hour with you some time soon :-)
It really depends on what the bank account looks like. We live in East N’ville, I really enjoy getting a last minute fix at Batter’d and Fried, but REALLY want to try Watanabe.
I just had Watanabe for the first time about a month ago and really enjoyed it. I’ve heard that they are very recently under new mgm’t, and have several (good) changes. Will have to go back again soon….
Hi Beth. Yes, I crave sushi alot! I am preggo now though so I miss it dearly! I am counting down the days until my first Dynamite Roll. We live in Brentwood so we go to Miyako. It is our go to and you must try the Fuji Roll if you go. it is tempura fried but the sauce on it is amazing!
One of my good friends lives in Brentwood and loves Miyako, but I’ve never tried it. Guess I should soon!
I’ve enjoyed sushi at Samurai and sometimes the Japanese dishes at Shintomi are good (Tempura Udon, sukiyaki).
Peter’s is good too and if Virago weren’t so darned expensive I’d go more often. I will say theirs is quite delicious.
Now I’m absolutely dying for some sushi. Virago, you say? Must add it to my “must try” list.
If you work in Cool Springs and being the foodie you are, I’m sure you’ve tried Wild Ginger? It’s my favorite sushi stop in this area! I do love Sake but I am OBSESSED with the Mexican role at WG. Plus, it’s half price classic roles (and half off house wine too!) between 4-6 everyday. Also, there edamame, YUM!
and by “role”, i mean roll! =)
You’re the 2nd person in this comment thread to mention the Mexican roll at Wild Ginger, so I’m adding it to my short list of things to try!
My wife and I have been on a hunt for good sushi since moving from LA in October. It’s our favorite so I could say we probably crave it everyday.
We’ve tried Virago a couple times as well as Osake and Samurai by Vanderbilt, Peter’s in Brentwood, Wild Ginger in Franklin, Tenno on West End, and Sushiyobi by Music Row. A couple weeks’ ago though we tried Watanabe in East Nashville and it was hands down our favorite to date. The fish was really fresh and they had some great rolls. Plus, they had Uni (Sea Urchin) which has been really hard to find ou there. Uni isn’t for everybody, but it’s pretty fantastic once you come to terms with the texture.
Hey Adam,
I don’t know if you saw my comment above to Renee, but I just went to Watanabe for the first time about 6 weeks ago, and really liked it. I wasn’t blown away, but it was really good. However, I heard from one of their bartenders a couple of weeks ago that they are now under new mgm’t. He says they’ve made lots of changes (for the better). Perhaps your visit was after these changes. Must get back over there again soon to try it out again!
They did mention new management so I’m pretty sure it was. It’s definitely worth the trip. We’re actually planning to go there tomorrow night for round 2 so I’ll let you know it it’s still tops on our list after that.
You inspired me to make a date with a friend for Watanabe on Monday night!
my go-to place is certainly virago as well…i’ve had the kayne prime and loved it and the bomb is my other favorite–if we feel like indulging but still not spending so much $$, tenno on west end is fabulous and so is PM–yummy!!
I’m with you Beth and agree that Virago is the best. I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t yet dined at the new one yet! :-0 That’s going to change this weekend. Another smart friend chose that as her bday dinner destination so I can’t wait for Fire Crunch and may try one of your faves too!
Oh my gosh, can’t believe you haven’t been to the new one yet but glad you’re getting a chance to go this weekend. Have fun and report back! :-)
I almost forgot! LOVE the tuna poke salad at Zumi Sushi in Hillsboro Village. Great tuna with poke sauce and wontons. Perfect when I don’t want to get all dressed up and have sushi on a budget :-)
Virago is always my #1 choice – it was the first restaurant I went to when I moved to Nashville, and for years I was there every Monday night when they did half price sushi. However, another favorite is, believe it or not, Cathay in Murfreesboro. They have an all you can eat sushi menu, but it’s great stuff, not Chinese buffet sushi. It’s definitely worth a try if you’re ever out that way!
We used to go on Monday nights for 1/2 price sushi too! My husband and I actually had our very first date at Virago ;-)
Samurai is our favorite in the city. The Hurricane Roll is an off the menu item but it is unreal. Their spicy tuna sauce beats out all others I have ever tried. Mr. Choo, the owner, always takes care of us and brings us something special for free.
Virago is great but usually destroys my wallet.
I have a second stomach when sushi is in front of me.
I’ve only been to Samurai twice and the last time was probably 3 years ago. Isn’t that terrible? I must get there soon and will be sure to order the Hurricane Roll!
Just went to Watanabe on Saturday night with friends from Baltimore and Chattanooga. Apparently, they are fantastic by standards of both of those cities also. They are making awesome changes in the kitchen and in the bar right now. I had the special, a pressed (instead of rolled) sushi with torched King Salmon on top. The sake selection was also top-notch, if you like that sort of thing…
So glad to hear that Johnny! And yes, I love sake, so that’s exciting.
Between your comment and Adam’s comments, I got very motivated to hit up Watanabe SOON. Just booked a date with a friend for Monday night!
we love sushi and yours looks delicious! what a great night out.
I have to say that Tenno off West End is my favorite sushi, however there are no elderflower strawberry drinks. (which would be nice). It’s been a few year since I’ve been to Virage mainly because the last time I went they told my husband he couldn’t wear a ball cap into the restaurant – the food was good but still felt a little “too cool”. However, I would say it’s a perfect place for a date night or birthday, glad you enjoyed yourself.
-Mary
Conscious Kitchen http://marycrimmins.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/Mary_Crimmins
Happy Birthday! I love sushi, and I’d say I have cravings (which I succumb to) about once a week ~ I really don’t know what I will do when I’m pregnant! :)