by Shawn Nowlin
From wellness cafes to old-fashioned diners, the last ten years have given Roanoke Valley residents plenty of restaurant eateries. Six months from today, the Center in the Square Building is expected to feature a new rooftop restaurant and bar.
All three co-owners of Six and Sky Rooftop Grille – Brian Brady, JD Sutphin, and Jojo Soprano – are no strangers to the Star City scene. Sutphin is the owner of Big Lick Comics, Brady is an avid fisherman known for competing in various tournaments and Soprano is a well-respected DJ.
The main dining area, Sutphin explained, will feature an open kitchen concept with high-top table seating and a booth on the sixth floor. The seventh floor, he added, will be open-air dining with a corner booth that’ll face downtown Roanoke toward the City Market Building. The entire space is expected to comfortably seat dozens of people at a time.
Classic steaks, fresh seafood, specialty drinks, and more will be offered. Also featured will be hydroponic gardening, a concept the co-owners hope will develop into a teaching opportunity. “I cannot wait to get things going,” Sutphin wrote on his Facebook page. “Six and Sky Rooftop Grille will be open in the fall of 2023.”
Aware of how subjective food is, Sutphin explained that the cuisines will be influenced by different cultures, including Chinese.
After hearing the initial details about the rooftop restaurant, Roanoke County resident Amber Johnson said she instantly wanted to learn more information. “Where I grew up in North Carolina, rooftop eateries were commonplace. That isn’t really the case in this part of Virginia. I know that for some, sit-down dining has become an afterthought. Countless friends and family members have told me they want a rooftop restaurant in the heart of downtown Roanoke,” Johnson said.
She added, “If what I was told is indeed true, I think people are really going to be impressed with the food, elegant interiors and overall dining experience.”
Starting with a Golden Hour Concert series, Sutphin says the restaurant will feature plenty of live entertainment. The restaurant will undergo some renovations in the coming weeks.
Since announcing a tentative opening date, Six and Sky Rooftop Grille has received numerous inquiries. From the drinks to the views, Sutphin, Brady and Soprano all hope that their investment will become a staple in the community.
A representative from the Parry Restaurant Group did not respond to a request for additional information before press time.
