525 Goes Live in Style

This restaurant slipped under my radar.  Just a few months ago, it looked like the whole project was on hold.  Even a month ago, when progress was evident, opening day seemed months away.  With the speed of “Restaurant Impossible“, 525 at the Berry Burke opened last with with a soft opening and this past Sunday with a Grand Opening.  Style weekly chronicles the story of building a restuarant from the ground up and banking all your hopes, dreams and money on it’s success.

This is a classy looking place offering diners a well appointed, well lit  interior and views of CenterStage and the downtown skyline.  With the nearby John Marshall Residences filling up quickly, the success of Pasture and tons of nearby retail space available, it offers hope the eastern anchor of the new Downtown Arts Districts.  Style paints an optimistic picture.

At 8 p.m (Friday)., as the last sunlight plays on the Berry-Burk’s stone facade, the windows are filled with laughing, chattering diners. Candles flicker on white-draped tables. From the street, it looks nice. It looks like a restaurant at last.

Down the street, Pasture hums. Even the old Red Door has drawn a decent crowd. An oyster saloon called Merroir RVA is opening soon in the space left vacant by Louisiana Flair.

You begin to think that maybe, Grace Street could live again.