Virgin Hotels Nashville, Music City’s newest hotel located in the historic Music Row neighborhood, is thrilled to announce that renowned chef Ryan Lachaine will lead the culinary team at Commons Club, the hotel’s flagship first floor restaurant, bar and lounge set to debut this fall. This will be the first project for Lachaine outside of his home city of Houston, TX, where he is co-owner and executive chef at the acclaimed restaurant Riel.
missing or outdated ad config“Nashville has a dynamic culinary scene, and I’m excited to join the hospitality community with the opening of Commons Club this fall,” said Ryan Lachaine, Executive Chef at Commons Club. “Since opening last month, Virgin Hotels Nashville has become a destination for locals and visitors to enjoy. I’m thrilled to join the team to develop another unique concept that not only adds to the hotel experience but also the city’s broader restaurant scene.”
Lachaine’s restaurant Riel has been a critical darling since opening in 2017, becoming a fixture on Houston’s top restaurant lists and drawing accolades from the likes of Food & Wine, Esquire, Forbes and Condė Nast Traveler. It was named one of the “Best New Restaurants in Texas” by Texas Monthly in 2018 and the number one restaurant in Houston by CultureMap in 2019. Lachaine grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, and was a former hockey player before moving to Houston and becoming a chef.
Serving as the social epicenter of Virgin Hotels Nashville, Commons Club will offer an interactive experience with three distinct spaces inviting locals and hotel guests alike to eat, drink and explore Music Row. The Kitchen boasts an open-style kitchen concept and dining room including an exclusive chef’s table. The globally inspired food menu crafted by Lachaine will feature a blend of his own Eastern European heritage, and the Gulf Coast influenced dishes he’s known for, plus a dash of the South. Guests can enjoy an elevated mix of small plates, craveable entrées and sides available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining experience will extend to an outdoor space perfect for al fresco dining any time of day. The Bar will offer thoughtfully crafted cocktails, a curated wine selection and a limited menu of bites. Adjacent to the bar is The Shag Room, a swanky space with a southern twist that will feature wrap around tiered seating and a fringe ceiling installation evoking an enjoyable setting for both travelers and locals.
Designed by Mark Zeff, and with a dedicated street entrance, each space within Commons Club will achieve its own sense of exclusivity while creating an atmosphere that is elevated yet approachable.
Drawing inspiration from the Nashville region, design details are represented through the use of intricate brick, roughhewn timber, sumptuous furnishings and refined industrial elements.
Commons Club is set to debut this fall. Guests can enjoy a taste of chef Lachaine’s dishes through a limited menu of bites available at the bar, lounge, and outdoor space starting in August. Commons Club will join Virgin Hotels Nashville’s unique dining and drinking destinations including The Pool Club, rooftop restaurant and bar and Funny Library Coffee Shop, which are currently open.
