Hotel Madison's restaurant officially opens

A new restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg is now officially open and its ribbon cutting on Monday completes a big project.

The final touch of Hotel Madison is complete since Montpelier Restaurant & Bar officially opened its doors on Monday.

Leaders from both the city of Harrisonburg and James Madison University, as well as hotel staff, met for a ribbon cutting and lunch to celebrate the opening.

The restaurant is open to anyone in the public — you do not have to be a guest of the hotel to eat there.

Wendell Bush, the hotel's general manager, said he has high hopes for what the restaurant can offer.

"It's unlimited. We feel like we've only tapped what it could be," Bush said. "Our plan is to be the best restaurant here in Harrisonburg and in the Shenandoah Valley."

Bush said the restaurant is like the rest of the hotel and focuses on local roots. The food is mostly local farm to table, according to Bush.

The restaurant is named after James Madison's home.