It?s what?s inside that really counts. Driving along Progress Street, you might get a bad impression of the Nerv, thanks to limited parking and an ominous exterior. However, once inside, the chic atmosphere that resembles a New Orleans jazz club tempts the tastes of nearly every guest.
Once you walk through the door, you become surrounded by deep blues, dark yellows and browns. Walking towards the host stand, you can hear the bartender talking with customers as a quick-paced jazz ensemble plays throughout the restaurant.
The dimly-lit dining area creates an ideal atmosphere. As your server quickly makes her way to your table, you notice a lighter in her hand. No worries. A quick flick and the candle on your table burns brightly, adding to the ambience. And as if the atmosphere wasn?t enough to set your mind at ease, you?ll be hooked once you taste the food.
To begin my meal, I ordered the Iron Skillet Cornbread with honey butter. The bread came in a medium-sized round loaf still warm in the skillet ? hence the name. The bread was slightly dry and had a hard exterior, but the hints of lemon mixed with the honey butter proved more than enough to overcome those drawbacks.
For the salad course, I chose the Peppercorn Caesar Salad. Garnished with a cut lemon, large parmesan shavings and house croutons, the salad was perfectly flavored. The creamy Caesar dressing didn?t overwhelm the salad as it does in many other restaurants, and there were hints of garlic with every bite. The only negative aspect of the dish was the hardness of the croutons. They looked delicious, but I almost broke a tooth when I bit into them.
For my main course, I went with the Cashew Chicken. The dish was beautifully presented with asparagus and tomatoes plated with two large pieces of chicken basted with Jack Daniel?s Barbecue glaze served over a large helping of mashed potatoes. Every aspect of the dish was fantastic. The chicken was moist and delicious, complemented perfectly by the glaze. The crunchy asparagus and warm, seasoned garlic tomatoes were perfect for dipping. Then there were the potatoes. One word ? unbelievable.
The portion sizes were perfect, and while the prices are a tad expensive, the food is well worth it. Entrees range in price between $10 and $20, and most of the appetizers are $7.
For a spectacular meal in a stylishly hip restaurant, visit the Nerv. The eatery was rated Blacksburg?s No.1 place to take a date in Best of Blacksburg (and with good reason.) Bringing that special someone to Nerv will certainly earn you major points.