Upper King's 492 Will Feature a Rooftop Garden and Outdoor Courtyard

Forthcoming concept from chef Nate Whiting, 492, is well on its way to opening early next year. The Relish Restaurant Group announced the new venture in February, after the disclosure of the shuttering of Whiting's fine dining establishment Tristan.

Today, Eater got a tour of the construction site and here are some of the highlights:

Open Kitchen at 492

The kitchen will be open for guests to see all the action. Patrons can even decide to sit in front of the chefs' space and watch the culinary magic happen. Chef Whiting says they wanted to "dissolve the borders" between the cooks and the diners.

Dining Room and Bar at 492

The space isn't as massive as the exterior lets on. 492 will be more cozy than we previously estimated. The downstairs will seat around 75 guests, the outdoor courtyard will hold 30 to 40, and upstairs will be dedicated to a banquet area, rooftop garden, and walk-in coolers.

Upstairs at 492

Upstairs at 492

There are numerous windows. While the architecture team is trying to preserve much of the mid-1800s structure, multiple floor-to-ceiling windows cover the walls, adding to lots and lots of natural light in the space.

The group estimates a February opening date for the restaurant on the corner of King and Mary Streets. Chef Whiting and his crew are constantly working on 492's plates and say they will let seasonal offerings dictate the "fluid menu." They also strive to make many of the ingredients in house (including their own sea salt.) Keep eyes on Eater for all the latest updates.