Six Test Kitchen
Paso Robles, USA
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Hidden away in industrial Tin City, Chef Ricky Odbert has, for many years now, quietly and confidently cooked like few others in the region. Dry-aged fish and meats, seasonal produce, and delicious sauces come together in a breezy space with soaring ceilings, charcoal-tinted walls, metal edges and a stunning wood counter that wraps around the kitchen. It’s a fitting stage for food that eats as beautifully as it looks. Recent highlights include dill meringue crowned with trout roe and aged pork loin paired with brown butter and a stunning burnt onion puree. Desserts, like barley koji ice cream with whipped miso, are particularly exceptional and balance sweet and savory. A highly selective wine list brings small producers under the spotlight.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
- Unconventional Origins: Six Test Kitchen began as a six-seat eatery in Chef Ricky Odbert's garage in Arroyo Grande before moving to Paso Robles.
- Intimate Dining Experience: The restaurant features a 12-seat chef's counter where guests can watch the culinary process unfold, creating a unique and interactive dining experience.
- Seasonal Artistic Presentation: The restaurant offers a seasonal 12-course tasting menu, with dishes presented as hand-crafted art, emphasizing local ingredients and unexpected flavors.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
- Wild Black Cod from Monterey Bay: Featured in a signature dish, this ingredient highlights the restaurant's focus on using fresh, local seafood.
- Trout Roe: Used in a dish topped with dill meringue, showcasing the chef's creativity with bold flavors and textures.
- Bay Leaf and Sesame Caramel: Part of a unique flavor combination that reflects the restaurant's innovative approach to sweet and savory elements.
- Aged Pork Loin: Paired with brown butter and a burnt onion puree, demonstrating the chef's skill in balancing rich flavors.
- Pecans: Used in a baked pear dish with pecan ice cream, highlighting the chef's ability to incorporate local ingredients into desserts.
Menu & Pricing
Current Offerings & Prices
Menu Options at Six Test Kitchen
Tasting Menu
- Dinner Tasting Menu: A seasonal, multi-course menu. The exact number of courses varies, but it has included 8+ remarkable courses with savory mains and desserts.
- Price: $245 per person.
Add-Ons
- Dry Aged Wagyu Beef: $40.
- Wine Pairing: A sommelier-curated beverage pairing for $150.
- Reserve Wine Pairing: A rare collection of wines for $300.
A La Carte Options
- Not Available: Six Test Kitchen primarily offers a tasting menu, with no a la carte options mentioned.
Special Seasonal Menus
- Seasonal Focus: Menus are designed to showcase vibrant, seasonal flavors unique to the Central Coast, using local and sustainable ingredients. Specific seasonal menus are not detailed, but they reflect the current season's produce and flavors.