Chef Travis Myers and business partner/long time friend, Ryan Oberle, will be opening Six Hundred° any time now in Winston-Salem’s Bailey Park. They’ve named and tag-lined their long anticipated new restaurant “Six Hundred Degrees – Live Fire Kitchen | Social Room & Bar”.
Backstory: Travis and Ryan have worked together at different eateries for 12 years. They started planning a restaurant together about 3 years ago.
Recently I had the distinct pleasure of spending time with Travis and Ryan at Six Hundred°, talking about their journey, where they are now, and future plans. We went through the entire property, front and back of house. We talked everything involved in bringing about this dream from flooring material and it’s care to furniture material, local producers & suppliers, featured art & artists, latest incorporated technology (kitchen, bar, sound system), and equipment – not the least of which is the beautiful split live-fire grill below.
Travis made it a point to credit every creator and manufacturer possible: the architect, living wall artist/creator, furniture, metalwork, and millwork designer/builders. Acknowledging how important it is to Travis, I’m sharing details here, also:
- Stitch Design Shop (architects)
- Viator Design and Construction (metalwork)
- Sunnyside Millwork Everything you see is custom millwork, except the bamboo floors!
- Carsons Hospitality (furniture)
- Mona King (“living wall” artist)
Noticable was the “journey” of sorts when you first walk in. Your eyes lead the way, taking you from the “living wall” art hung to your right on a wall sporting paint and graffiti dating back to who-knows-when, to the perspective offered by the bar on your left of coming to an end about a mile away.
“Things we want to stand out as you walk in – wood-fired grill, long eating bars, and fireplace and wine cellar toward the back.” – Chef Travis Myers
Speaking of old (original) paint, etc., take the time to look at the Power Plant’s industrial skeleton left in place when constructing Six Hundred°. Don’t forget to look up. Among other things, you’ll see grain and knot patterns from framing boards used when the original concrete was poured.
As you walk further in, to the left of the open kitchen you’ll see a huge firewood rack built by Viator and full of hickory wood, and the wall-mounted board crediting local purveyors prominently in one of the gallery images.
“We’re not re-inventing food, just using farmers as we should. If it’s local, we’ll use it.” – Chef Travis Myers
In addition to Head Chef Travis Myers, there’s another name you’re going to hear more about. And soon. It’s Chef de Cuisine Brian Gephart. He comes to Six Hundred° with lots of experience with Asian markets and various cultural influences.°
“Six Hundred° is a “melting pot of culinary activity” when it comes to chefs.” – Chef Travis Myers
There are multiple seating areas, each with their own unique character. When I try to pick the “best” spot – where I’d want to sit, it’s really tough. Do I sit at the “culinary bar” right up next to the open kitchen so I can watch all that live-fire and other action? How about the bar, so I can watch talented mixologists creating craft cocktails, using their specialty chilled garnish drawers and specialty ice program, as well as the view of Bailey Park? I also want to get a closer look at that Richlite bar top made from compressed, recycled paper.
Maybe I should choose the smaller dining room (also with views of Bailey Park) just beyond the bar, or the still intimate, but larger dining room in the back with the oh-so-cool water vapor fireplace? Some day, I’d like to dine at the custom Farm Table (next to the wine cellar, by reservation only) with 9 of my pals. By the way, that smaller dining room can be closed off and used as a Meeting/Private Dining room.
“We want it to be a complete experience: culinary bar, stacked firewood in view, grill works, soapstone hearth, state of the art hoods – all electronically connected so they operate together, sensing heat & auto adjusting the fans.” – Chef Travis Myers
Insider Tip: Opening Date as of this writing is set for March 2nd.
Whether you get to go on opening day or not, you should most definitely GO! ASAP!! That said, please do keep in mind that they’ll be brand new and it’s almost guaranteed there’ll be one or two kinks to work out. Go hungry with a happy heart and embrace the investment in something new and creative in Winston-Salem.
Menus aren’t posted on their website as of this writing, but they’re expected soon.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/600Degrees.wsnc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixhundred_wsnc/
Six Hundred°
Live Fire Kitchen
450 N Patterson Ave
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
