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Honestly, I couldn't have been much more disappointed. Viagro came highly recommended by local friends, so we chose it for the birthday dinner on our girls trip. We made a reservation, arrived early/on time, and still had to wait past it. The birthday girl's husband had even called ahead and PREPAID for two bottles of her favorite sake, a birthday dessert for the table, and a separate dessert for her. You'd think a group with a reservation and prepaid items would be set up for a smooth celebration. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. We were seated in a private room with one server. He brought out the birthday girl's favorite sake and immediately said, "Enjoy it because it's the last bottle." Weird way to start, but okay. Three of us ordered lychee martinis. He came back saying they were out of the lychee sake, but offered to have the bartender make something similar. We appreciated the effort, tried one first, liked it, and ordered the rest of the round. Then everything unraveled. Our reservation specifically noted two dietary restrictions: one friend is vegetarian (NOT vegan), and another has a pistachio allergy. We ordered pork baos, avocado baos, spicy garlic edamame, and cauliflower. The edamame wasn't spicy and had almost no flavor. The cauliflower looked NOTHING like the photos online--it was basically steamed cauliflower with soy sauce. When we asked why, the server casually told us there might be pistachios in the peanut sauce used on the vegetable appetizers, so they just removed all the sauces without telling us. Wait...WHAT? No warning while ordering. No explanation. No suggestion to choose something else. If there was concern about a pistachio allergy, why was my friend served the dish at all? We paid premium prices for plain steamed vegetables. The server brought out powdered peanut topping afterward, and I asked for chili crunch to try to save the dishes. It didn't help, and he never offered to remake or replace them. Then we were told there were no avocado baos because they were out of avocado...on a Friday night...at a restaurant where avocado is on what feels like half the menu. We asked if they could substitute mushrooms, tofu, or literally anything vegetarian since there are only two vegetarian entrées on the menu. After disappearing for about ten minutes, the server came back saying he'd "convinced" the chef to make them because the chef wanted to save avocado for the rest of the night. Gee...thanks? The baos finally arrived...still without the sauce they were supposed to come with. Fresh? Sure. Flavorful? Not even close. The pork baos were the only appetizer that lived up to expectations. The birthday girl and I ordered the $65 omakase tour, which was fresh and very good. The sushi our friends ordered was also excellent. Unfortunately, our vegetarian friend's mushroom fried rice was another miss. The server removed the eggs without asking, assuming she was vegan. We had to explain she was vegetarian and ask for the eggs to be put back in. Even then, the dish was bland enough that she had to drown it in soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi. When our food arrived, two friends ordered another lychee martini. It tasted COMPLETELY different from the first round--super sour instead of sweet. By then we'd all just given up because was ruined. Then came the most unbelievable part. The server looked at the empty sake bottle and asked, "Would you like another bottle?" We almost fell out of our chairs. He had started the night telling us that bottle was the last one...yet now he was offering us another. On top of that, BOTH bottles had already been prepaid by the birthday girl's husband. It shouldn't have even been a question--it should have simply been brought to the table. At that point, we just wanted the check. My friend paid through the QR code and--despite everything--still tipped 20%. We declined dessert because we wanted to leave. The server replied, "We're bringing one anyway," and dropped the birthday dessert off while part of our group was in the restroom. I served for 15 years, and I would NEVER bring out a birthday dessert before the entire party was present. We ended up singing Happy Birthday with friends missing from the table. Then the dessert was on the bill, preventing us from closing. While fixing that, we discovered WE'D been charged for the prepaid sake bottle, so we had to make sure the birthday girl's husband was refunded. What shocked me most was the manager's response...or lack thereof. No apology. No questions or concern. My friends aren't confrontational, so they just wanted to leave. What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a huge disappointment. The bright spots were overshadowed by poor communication, stock issues, incorrect assumptions about dietary restrictions, inconsistent drinks, billing mistakes, and disorganized service from beginning to end. The dinner was unforgettable, unfortunately for all the WRONG reasons.
I have mixed reviews for this one. Negative: half of our parties food never came out. We ordered around 7pm and by 8 pm half of the parties food came out and by 9pm we were still missing 3 rolls of sushi for 2 people. The staff stated there was a mixup in the kitchen and kept checking on our food for an hour saying it was being prepared.. for an hour? Our bill was also incorrect we were over charged for drinks. The wait really put a damper on the mood as we were starving! The waiter also seemed very busy and went MIA for a bit. They might need more staffing on Mondays given the Happy Hour all day. Positive: The spicy edamame were VERY yummy. The bao buns were also delicious. We went on a Monday and it was half price rolls and drinks! The complementary valet parking is such a win! After speaking to the manager about the wait issue we were given gift cards to try the restaurant again which I appreciated! The ambiance is a red moody room which is a fun vibe. Our waiter knew everything on the menu and was a great help with ordering. Overall if we didn't have the kitchen and staff issue I think our experience would have been a lot better! Happy to try it again and update the review!
Went on a Friday night. Had a reservation and we were sat promptly. Incredible service throughout the night. Nice & informative staff. The drinks were great. All the food was awesome too. The lighting is the main restaurant and bathroom is pretty dim.
Came here on a Monday for the discounted deal with friends. The interior is superrr cool, I love the dark lighting and the table set up inside. Service was nice and reasonable pace for how busy it was (very!!). The drinks were great ($14 for 2), I had the Tokyo sangria which was great and sweet. The yuzu sour was much stronger but still tasted good. My table had the cauliflower to start which I thought was overpriced ($14 for one seasoned head of cauliflower). The rolls were pretty decent. I liked the dynamite a lot. Great pricing for happy hour. Overall: would definitely recommend on a Monday, but not sure if the sushi or drinks are worth it any other day when they're full price. Ambiance is definitely carrying the 4 stars here
The ambiance was so beautiful, the music was light and it felt really calming. All the food came out fresh and was so delicious. Notable mention would be the Waygu fried rice, it was so yummy. We sat at the bar and our bartender made sure to check on us and provided quality service.
Virago is a trendy sushi and cocktail bar that fits right in in The Gulch. I finally had a chance to check out their half-price sushi Mondays, and I was definitely impressed with the vibes inside and the quality of the sushi! If you'd like to take advantage of these great deals, I highly recommend a reservation. I made one for our group of four about two weeks in advance and had no problems. (One time my husband and I tried to walk in on a Monday and just sit at the bar, but it was a two hour wait. Plan ahead if you can!) We were seated in one of the cozy lounge areas, which is cool in looks but not the best set-up if you're planning to order a decent amount of food. Our server was friendly and attentive, and he let us know right away that we'd probably want to put any sushi orders in quickly because it would be a 30+ minute wait. It's not the full sushi menu that's available half-price on Mondays - but they do have a nice selection of rolls, appetizers, and drinks on special. We ordered six of the eight options on the Monday menu, along with the pork belly bao buns. If you're not dining on a Monday, expect to spend a pretty pricey dinner (though again, it is The Gulch and that is to be expected). The bao buns were surprisingly my favorite bite of the night! The pork belly was crispy and saucy, and the bao was light and spongy. Three buns come in one order, so it's a great shareable option. As for the sushi, I think my favorite roll was the New Moon. I also enjoyed their Crunchy California Roll ... it's a classic for a reason, and theirs is fresh and well-prepared!
I felt like I was in a Sex and the City episode coming to Virago. This super trendy restaurant is such an awesome place to come to for drinks and sushi. I highly suggest coming on a Monday evening for their 1/2 off sushi night. We were a group of four and made a reservation in advance. We were seated in a red lit couch area. Although this place is upscale, it is still very intimate. A lot of the seating is very low to the floor. Our server was super helpful and down-to-earth. At one point he even sat on the couch with us to take our order. He was transparent about the sushi being about a 40 minute wait, which we didn't mind. We pretty much ordered all the rolls that were a part of the 1/2 special along with bao buns that our server said was a must. The pork belly bao buns were the star of the night. They were beyond delicious, you have to order this. The rolls we got were tasty and some were quite unique. I got a mocktail that I enjoyed too. The vegan person in our party was able to find quite a few dishes to enjoy too.
Monday night 1/2 price dishes from their happy hour menu. This place is sexy. Cool, loungey vibes with a beautiful bar right in the middle. This spot came recommended by some fellow Yelpers who always know what's good. I would certainly come again, especially for the special on Monday night. They seem to be open pretty late, too. People were still being seated when we left around 9pm. We ordered nearly every sushi off the special menu, and 3 of us demolished about 7 rolls. Fresh, spicy, tasty. The rolls of special weren't cookie-cutter versions of the main menu. Even several cocktails were half-off for Monday. Service was great, they warned us that the sushi was on a 30-40 min wait. I don't think it actually took that long, but appreciated the heads up. We were seated on a low couch with a smaller table. Not sure I could eat a bowl of ramen in any type of cute way seated like this, but sushi is just fine.
Virago is more on the upscale version when it comes to sushi in Nashville. The vibe inside is youthful, dark and somewhat "electric". There is music playing, neon/brighter backlit lights scattered throughout and a cozy but fun environment. I come to virago basically every single Monday because of how good the deals are. They run a promotion where rolls are half priced and drinks are basically 2-4-1. I can usually get in and out with two rolls and 2 sakes for about $30 which is an incredible value proposition. The service is always good, HOWEVER on Mondays it can get slow because of the deal mentioned above and how busy it gets. The bartenders are always incredible and I do prefer to sit at the bar and chit chat with the when I have time. For the food, everything is good, appetizers are standouts. The cauliflower is incredible, the spice and seasoning they put on it I would buy for home use if they sold it. The V2 Edimame is the same, that sauce or seasoning/spice is to die for. The miso soup is also great, but not as good as the others, it's hard to make a standout miso. The rolls on the Monday deal are all good. My favorite being the New Moon, everyone I have had try it said it is one of the most interesting sushi rolls they have ever tasted. The pickled ginger, kimchi and sriracha combo make it have an explosion of flavor. My only complaint would be the normal menu rolls are almost hilariously priced. Some of them being $28+. Now, they do use great food products, and quality ingredients so I understand, but it's hard to justify that price per roll, which is why I go on Mondays. Overall a great place for a date or birthday celebration, or just to sit at the bar and get a nice drink and roll combo.
Ambiance is super dark, cozy, and upscale. Dress up if you want, but also there were some people dressed casually. Right when we walked in, everyone was super nice and attentive. Our waiter was very nice and came around a lot! We went Monday night for their half off menu and got 5 rolls and edamame for under $60! I recommend coming here, especially for the Monday specials.
Great place in the Gulch! Lovely ambiance, definitely fit for special occasions. The menu featured elevated Japanese food, with dishes having interesting toppings like watermelon pop rocks and soy sauce pearls. I liked the veggie role, but it wasn't anything super duper unique. The non vegetarian dishes on the menu definitely were more memorable, which makes sense as they have amazing raw fish options. We were there for a special occasion, and our waitress was very lovely and even treated us with a delicious chocolate mouse cake.
About 8 years ago I went to Virago for the first time. This week I finally got to make it back! I was worried I'd romanticize it since it had been so long and I had such a great experience but it once again, proved worthy of 5 stars. Virago is clean, sleek and still warm. The service is top notch and the food is filled with creativity and flavor. I will always love coming here! If you want clean, flavorful sushi, viragos your place.
We went here for valentines. Again they did not disappoint and the food was amazing. Even with their computers down the service was fast and friendly.
4 years ago
Maki Monday is the best deal in Nashville! Enjoy amazing sushi at half price! I love trying all the different roles! Service is always perfect which is an added bonus! read more
4 years ago
Wow, what a gem! The place is beautiful, the food was exceptional and the service was impeccable. Worth the trip and the meal. read more
6 years ago
My group of 8 had such a great time here the other night. We were sat in a private room, which was so nice so that we could all be sat together. If you aren't allergic to shrimp, it's a must have!! So delicious, we couldn't get enough. There was a lot ordered, and it was all so good, you can't go wrong here! read more
7 years ago
This was the BEST place we ate at in Nashville! Melanie made our experience at Virago amazing! She was very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. We very much enjoyed our dinner. We were seated next to a couple large tables that wound up being one huge party of people, which wound up being quite loud; it would have been a little nicer (and quieter) to be on the other side of the restaurant where smaller parties were seated, but it was okay. We ordered a total of 6 lobster shooters throughout our dinner because they were so amazing! Chunk of lobster resting in a cup of red curry broth (kind of like a Thai red curry sauce, kind of spicy, but with some sweetness as well). There is a garnish of cilantro, ask for it without if you are not a fan. We had the crab spring rolls which I wasn't sure of at first but they grew on me. The wrapping and overall roll seemed a little dry at first, but there is a butter dipping sauce to accompany it which after the first couple bites became better and better. Spouse had the toro (Nigirizushi) which was very much enjoyed. We shared three rolls and LOVED them all: 1. The Bomb which includes tempura shrimp and lump crab 2. Golden Dragon with lobster tempura and topped with eel 3. A5 Bomb with lobster tempura and A5 wagyu tartare (I had never had beef tartare but this was exceptional!) We finished with a couple pieces of blood orange mochi ice cream. This was FANTASTIC! So unique, tart, and fresh-tasting. If we are ever in Nashville again, we will DEFINITELY come to Virago for a second visit! read more
5 years ago
Excellent food! The Oishii was my favorite. Waitress was a bit mono tone, but service was very quick and we had an excellent time. Sat at the bar on Maki Sake Monday, wasabi martini was great! Sweet, tasteful, and refreshing. read more
4 years ago
As always the service was excellent. New friendly faces at the front desk and waitstaff was busy but still very attentive. The food is consistently flavorful and served pleasantly. The only noticeable change was the size of the glass used for the Wasabi martini. As a frequent visitor that claimed the Wasabi martini as "my drink of choice" I noticed a difference in taste and presentation. I ordered two to confirm. In years past Virago has been well known not only for Sushi but it's ambiance. It was blatantly clear the dress code has become very relaxed. read more
3 years ago
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7 years ago
I'm a beginner sushi eater. Over the years I've tried sushi many times but I could never get past the texture of it, however, I've always liked the flavor. I recently gave it another sample try, from a roll that my bestie had from another restaurant. It was so good! So I enlisted my bestie to come with me to Virago for Maki Sake Monday--we've both been a fan of virago for many years--since they were in the old building in midtown. Her, a fan of the sushi. Myself, a fan of the atmosphere and drinks. I recently heard of their newest move and wanted to check it out. So glad we did! The atmosphere is nothing short of chic and sophisticated. I can totally see this place as a scene in a Jackie Chan-Romeo Must Die-type of film. Lol! Anywho, I've said all that to say, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The service was wonderful and the sushi was amazing. As stated earlier, I'm a newbie sushi eater, mostly due to the "mushy" textures. I got the Fire Crunch. OMG! Just thinking about it now is making my mouth water! It was fried to PERFECTION and just the right texture for me!!! Bestie had two rolls--don't remember which ones, but she demolished them both--poor things didn't stand a chance. We also had the Rock Shrimp and the Crispy Brussel Sprouts, which were not too bad. And guess what else?! I SUCCESSFULLY used chop sticks for the first time!!! *pats self on back* LMAO! All in all, no complaints here. I'll definitely be back for more Fire Crunch...and maybe something new, if I'm feelin' a little spicy! read more
4 years ago
pork belly & brussel sprouts were the best appetizers!!! Ordered 3 sushi rolls which was more than enough for 2 people. Super cool ambiance. Always enjoy myself when going to virago. Its actually quiet in the restaurant which is such a change from all other Nashville restaurants. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
Stylish, sexy and delicious. We loved everything here. The crispy brussel sprouts were the best we have ever had. We loved both the sushi and sashimi. I really enjoyed the skewered chicken but wasn't wild about the shrimp. They were a tad soggy. The cocktails were fresh and alcoholic. Our waiter was fun and helpful. There is a cool vibe here so come for great food and people watching. There were three of us and with a bottle of wine and 5 cocktails our bill came to $300. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
4.5. So I'll preface this review by saying that I tried Virago for their Maki Monday special and so I can only speak to my experience with the happy hour prices (which were awesome), but I thought everything I tried was phenomenal. I had the absolute best sangria I've ever had there, and on Mondays, they have 2 for 1 cocktails which make it even more feasible to indulge. I rarely get a second drink when I'm out to dinner and I couldn't say no to their sangria! HIGHLY recommend. The half of sushi was awesome, especially because on my grad student budget, I don't know how much of the menu I'd be able to afford. The roll I ordered was smaller than expected but the quality was fantastic. Virago also had the best rock shrimp I've ever had! Would return for that as well and the portion size was reasonable. We tried lobster shots, which while they were delicious, I don't think they were worth $4 each. The ambiance of the restaurant was lovely, you really felt tucked away from the city and immersed in the experience. My only complaint is that the woman manning the front desk was rather rude to us on the way in and the way out, and for the prices; the portion size of the sushi I ordered was disappointing. I'd come back for maki Monday, but probably couldn't afford the whole experience. Either way, highly highly recommend. read more
4 years ago
I've been to Virago a couple of times for Maki Sake Monday! The prices are definitely worth it when you come then :) However, I think this place is way too pricey if you come at any other time. You end up paying more for the ambiance than the food. The service has been okay whenever I have visited. The food is alright, very Americanized sushi, but the vibes of this restaurant are extraordinary! This is a great place to go on a Girl's Night Out! Be sure to order the Truffle Futomaki and the Oishi rolls! They are great, but very heavy on the sauces so just keep that in mind! I will probably drop by here a few more times on Maki Sake Mondays :D read more
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First time here. We came as walk in. They were polite and kind enough to accommodate us even though I would have considered myself a bit underdressed and we hadn't made reservations. We had the lobster shooters and rainbow box. Everything exceeded expectations. I'm from the west coast and quite picky about my sushi. It did not disappoint. read more
We were visiting from out of town. All windows are closed with concrete - we couldn't find the entrance first and it appears as an S&M club:) The place is super trendy. Young crowd. We made a reservation at 7.30pm. Even several tables were empty and we arrived little after 7, we were asked to wait at the bar. Until 7.30pm. We were seated at a large table which was nice, besides it was unstable and we saw the same skipping happening the table next to us:) We ordered a large variety of the menu (see pictures). The food is expensive and some is worth it but a lot of it isn't. For those prices you expect excellence. The waiter was outstanding. Service went fast once seated. read more
2 years ago
After a long day of travel and Yelp Spring Break events, I was ready for a glass of wine and some grub... and so were my colleagues. It was after 9pm on a Thursday, but luckily Virago (Joi B's suggestion) was close-by, open late and able to accommodate our party of four. Virago hit the spot... from the friendly hostess and friendlier, attentive waiter (thank you Sam), to the fresh sushi, flavorful apps, tasty wine and the sleek, modern decor, this place is definitely five star worthy in my book! Coming from Phoenix, I long for good sushi and go for it whenever I can get it... If only we had a place like Virago to get my fish fix at home, I would be a frequent visitor without a doubt! Since that's not the case, I'll hope to keep my memory fresh with my faves from my meal at Virago right here in my Yelp review: Don't miss: *the Crispy Brussels Sprouts. I ordered these to share with the table, but I definitely ate more than my fair share; they were delicious! *the Kuro Scallop Roll - loved this seasonal roll filled with tempura shrimp, cucumber, topped with scallop tartar, black Himalayan sea salt, lemon mayonette *Crispy Rice / Spicy Tuna - I shared this appetizer with Andrea R and we demolished it! There is plenty more on the menu that I'd love to return to try as well... including their "Maki-Sake Monday" promotion with half price maki and 2 for 1 sake and cocktails. I may just have to plan a trip to Nashville on a Monday next time! read more
10 years ago
Love love love this food! We usually have a couple of the sushi roles and then pick 3-4 of the other dishes. There is always new exiting things to try. This place works in so many ways for me. Date night, because you can get an intimate corner and just cozy up with some absolutely fab and sexy looking food and wine. Their wine list is great and if you have any questions what so ever their sommelier will help you out, he is one of the best in town. Cocktail babe! Hanging out on the roof top in the summer time is the best. Doesn't matter if you are with a bunch of friends or a party of two. Bartenders are fast, fun and so skilled. Quick cocktail The inside bar is a perfect space for a fast business meet up or just for people watching. I like how many fashionistas visit this place. read more
5 years ago
My friend and I had a great dinner here. The crispy Brussels app is delicious! The ahi tuna was a little salty for me and would have been better with a creamy sauce rather than soy sauce. Dynamite sushi roll and veggie dumplings were yummy! The matcha tiramisu exceeded my expectations. Amy gave us excellent service. The entire experience from the point we walked in all the way up until we walked out - fantastic! These very satisfied locals will definitely be back to try more new things! read more
5 years ago
The best server I've ever had was Francisco. The food was amazing but the service was IMPECCABLE! I highly recommend this restaurant and him as a sever!! 25/10 experience!! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
More info about Virago
1120 McGavock St
Nashville, TN 37203
The Gulch, Downtown
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(615) 254-1902
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https://www.viragonashville.com
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Ask the Community - Virago
What gluten free options do you offer?
Hi Saira, We have an entire menu dedicated to GF options! Here is a link to our menu on our…
What are the most popular item on the menu? Is this A good place for a double date?
Don't know the most popular item on the menu, but the cook-it-yourself rock dishes are fairly unique. Good place for a double date.
Do they have TVs to watch the game inside or heaters on the patio area if it's cold?
I'm not sure if there's heaters on the outside (should be). You can definitely enjoy the game indoors with a nice cocktail and sushi!!! I love the atmosphere at Virago!
I'm taking a vegetarian to a business dinner next week. Does Virago have plenty of good vegetarian options?
Plenty
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