Milk River Cafe: 960 Atlantic Ave

whynot_31

Since May 2012, we have been discussing a jazz and blues club that is planned for 960 Atlantic Ave, between Grand and Washington:

http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/three-more-places-near-us-want-to-become-bars

To get you up to speed:

A liquor lic has already been granted, and construction on the large site has been consistently underway.

It appears as if it could open as early as this summer. Hence, I decided to give it a thread of its very own. This venue will be located in just over the PH/CH border, in Crown Heights.

Here's a photo from a few years ago:

This will be a large venue, with a total capacity of around 175 people.

The first floor will feature live music, the second floor will feature space for private events.

Based on the amount of money they are investing in the place and the finishes, they are going for a high end clientele.

jack krohn

I'm watching this with interest. As a longtime jazz fan (and I don't mean Kenny G), I would love to have a good club nearby. Most of the other Brooklyn jazz clubs I've tried have mediocre, amateurish acts (but are quick to charge admission prices that rival Manhattan clubs featuring world-class talent), so I'm accustomed to going to Manhattan to Dizzy's Club, Village Vanguard, Birdland, Small's, etc. to see genuine music.

As always, thanks for getting the scoop, whynot.

whynot_31

This thread caused Emily at Brownstoner to take this picture yesterday:

Construction is moving along. Thanks Emily!

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2013/01/progress-at-the-jazz-club-planned-for-atlantic-avenue/?stream=true

epiclylaterd

When's Brownstoner just gonna give you a job?

whynot_31

I perceive Brownstoner and I as having mutually a beneficial relationship.

I try not to mess such things up.

P.S. I do wonder why she didn't take a shot through the glass door. The only progress you can really see from comparing the two photos are new windows on the second floor, yet far more has happened.

jack krohn

Yea, Epic is right. You should at least get a commission...or maybe a free cheeseburger and Jimi Hendrix LP at the Brooklyn Flea.

whynot_31

Sounds nice.

whynot_31

June 6, 2013: Rumors are that this place is only waiting for its liquor lic.

Once it is activated, it will open. Said lic is in pending status:

http://www.trans.abc.state.ny.us/servlet/ApplicationServlet?pageName=com.ibm.nysla.data.publicquery.PublicQuerySuccessfulResultsPage&validated=true&serialNumber=1264566&licenseType=OP

Above, I wrote that it had been granted in error. The applicants had merely gone thru the ritual of appearing before CB8.

whynot_31

Rumors confirmed!

They are now hiring: http://culintro.com/culintro-jobs/milk-river-brooklyn-seeking-boh-staff/

One could send resumes to: [email protected]

click for lots of interior pictures: https://www.facebook.com/milkriverbk

This is going to be one of those venues that has ticket events, in addition to "just show up" and pay events: http://www.ticketfly.com/venue/8589-milk-river/

Guests will use both levels of the building, and there will be a bar on each level.

]I've heard it could open mid June.

whynot_31

June 18:

empty website created:

http://www.milkriverbrooklyn.com/

Media begins to appear:

Milk River is a Brooklyn Neighborhood Restaurant featuring a Caribbean/Asian inspired cuisine incorporating Chef/Owner La-Niece's Jamaican and Chinese background. The first floor is a 150 seat dining room with plush booths and intimate tables. Reclaimed wood makes up the communal bar tables for a… casual dining experience with friends and the 16 seat bar is pouring local draft wine and beer. The second floor is Milk River's Sport Lounge which features comfortable couches, bar height banquettes and a 20 seat bar where you can sample Chef La-Niece's Caribbean/Asian Fare while cheering on your favorite NYC sports club.

http://www.opentable.com/milk-river

jack krohn

Hmm, no mention of live music. I guess this is not what I hoped it would be. Still, an upscale Caribbean restaurant is always welcome!

whynot_31

I think you'll get live music, but things are complicated and interesting:

Chef-owner La-Niece Lyew of upcoming Milk River is planning a menu that will embody her heritage. This should prove to be a truly unique and innovative restaurant experience since Lyew is part Jamaican, part Chinese, and was born and raised in Brooklyn.

http://brooklynexposed.com/food-drink/entry/brooklyn-spring-restaurant-preview/

I am hearing fusion. They seem to be updating their facebook page pretty regularly: https://www.facebook.com/milkriverbk

Regardless of how one categorizes the place, I am getting the impression that this would be a really nice place to have a mid size wedding.

whynot_31

Time Out NY is announcing it opens this week (June 20 - 26, 2013), and will have live music...

With Korean BBQ and Tex-Mex on every other block, fusion fare is nothing new to New York, but La-Niece Lyew takes it to unmarked terrain with her Caribbean-Cantonese café in Prospect Heights. The Brooklyn native (and alum of Mercer Kitchen and Umi Nom) reps her Jamaican-Chinese heritage in cross-cultural dishes like crispy fried snapper with tamarind glaze; jumbo golf shrimp with sweet-mango salsa and hanger state with royal trumpet mushrooms and caramel-miso sauce. A live band plays as you tuck into salt-cod fritters in the 150-seat dining room, fitted with cream tufted booths and globe lambs. The upstairs lounge is a more casual affair, with flatscreens broadcasting games and a wall-to-wall digital mural of the Brooklyn Bridge. Cheer the home team at the white-lit, 20-seat bar—carved with wavy designs to echo the restaurant’s namesake, Jamaica’s Milk River—over local draft beers: Bronx Pale Ale, Ommegang White Ale and Kelso Pilsner. 960 Atlantic Ave between Grand and Washington Aves, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-636-8600)

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/food-drink/restaurant-and-bar-openings-june-20-26-2013

whynot_31

Despite the above article, this place does not seem to have had its grand opening yet.

It may be open for special events. Regardless, the website is now up and running and they have lots of interior shots.

This is the level of investment that one needs to make to attract someone to a destination venue....

They appear to know what they are doing: http://www.milkriverbrooklyn.com/

whynot_31

yea, they have put some money into this place and are going for an upscale clientele

whynot_31

whynot_31

In case you are wondering who they believe are the prospective customers, I give you this photo:

Big night out! Arena show and fancy dinner...

pragmaticguy

Nice flyer posted above though they need to learn to spell "Caribbean"

whynot_31

"Atlantuc" is also in need of repair.

pragmaticguy

So, if they can't get the flyer right and no one bothers to proof read can their food be trusted?

whynot_31

I assume the people who make the food are different from the ones who make the flyer.

...but time will tell.

pragmaticguy

Probably so, but I'd be embarrassed as a business owner to put something out that's incorrect like that. Plus it's probably offensive to the Caribbean people who live in the neighborhood. It just contributes to the "dumbing down" of America. If it happened to me I'd make whoever printed it redo it.

whynot_31

I am not sure it was ever actually printed.

...it may have only existed on the internet.

pragmaticguy

Either way, it's just bad form.

whynot_31

I agree.

Here comes the mainstream press and the grand opening:

Wednesday = Aug 21, 2013

jack krohn

Overall, a positive review (aside from the volume of the live music):

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/milk-river-restaurant-review-article-1.1458619

homeowner

Went there for dinner last night. The place is huge, with table seating for 60+ downstairs, plus bar seating and cocktail tables, all of which can enjoy the live music. There is a separate upstairs area with its own bar and 10+ tv screens that appears to be set up more as a sports bar with reserved and VIP seating.

The good: Having a neighborhood spot with good live music is great. Food was okay and came out quickly. Our waiter seemed to know the menu and was able to answer questions and make recommendations. The band was great, although their first set was kind of short. But they played a good mix of r&b, reggae, and caribbean influenced music. Two good vocalists and the band was generally on point. Music wasn't too loud or overwhelming.

The bad: There were tons of staff, but it still took forever for our waiter to come over and for our order to be taken. There were only two bartenders to serve the entire downstairs area which meant that the bar backed up all night long. It took 20 minutes to get our first drink, 20 minutes for the second drink and 15 minutes for a third round. We walked in to three hostesses, none of whom were smiling or friendly. They all looked stressed/unhappy which was a little off-putting and none of the waitstaff was smiling or looked like they wanted customers to speak to them. The friendliest worker was our runner who was at our table several times to check on us, while our waiter stopped by only a couple of times. I'd suggest they get rid of a couple of the runner/barbacks and have at least one additional bartender.

Also, they add an automatic 20% gratuity on all checks over $100. You can have it removed, but its important to know.