606 R&D Gets CB8 OK For Backyard Seating

Vanderbilt Avenue's recent addition, 606 R&D, is one step closer to offering backyard seating.

Thursday night, Community Board 8 gave their support to the application, which next goes to the State Liquor Authority for final approval. 

The farm-to-table restaurant, which just s for their quirky combinations and "grown up restaurant food," opened in January and quickly became a darling of the foodie world.  

The approval came after weeks of campaigning by owners Sara Dima and Ilene Rosen, which included hand-delievered letters to scores of the restaurant's neighbors and a petition at the restaurant that was signed by more than a hundred customers.

While plenty of people sent letters to the board supporting the request, at least 10 residents sent in letters in opposition, citing noise concerns.

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To ameliorate the sound, Rosen and Dima have promised to plant trees and shrubs and put in a fountain. They also cut nearly in half their original request for 50 seats and said they would close the backyard at 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sundays. 

"The general consensus is that we live in the city, not the country. There will be noise," said Atim Otom, the economic development committee's chairwoman, when introducing the application to the full board.  

The board also voted to support a full liquor license for Milk River Cafe, a two-level, 175-seat jazz club coming to 960 Atlantic Ave., between Classon and Grand, which intends to "bring the Blue Note jazz vibe to Brooklyn," according to Oton.

The club's will be open until 3 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1 a.m. on Sunday. But the board was not concerned, since the club is on a fairly "desolate" stretch of Atlantic. However, the board's approval came with the conditions that there will be no liquor bottle service available, that the bar provide outdoor security on event nights, and that a second liquor license be obtained from the state for the second floor. 

In addition, the board approved new beer and wine licenses for the on Washington Aveune and the 30-year-old on Flatbush.

Finally, Haru Sushi on Flatbush, and on Washington and Abby's Level Inc., on Bedford got support for liquor license renewals.