River Café to reopen on DUMBO waterfront in August

Nine months after being submerged under chest-high floodwaters from Hurricane Sandy, DUMBO’s River Café will be reopening as soon as possible, likely in August, reports owner Michael “Buzzy” O’Keeffe.

While some kitchen equipment survived after the storm, many expensive pieces including refrigerators and many other things were destroyed and needed to be replaced and made storm-resistant. Insurance, plus millions of dollars of O’Keeffe’s own savings were invested into the necessary repairs and keeping his executive chefs on the payroll.

Once it reopens, local fans of the 36-year-old café can look forward to earlier open hours, which will allow for the addition of a breakfast menu, to be served in the 70-seat Terrace Room, where there is a smaller kitchen that can operate while repairs continue in the main kitchen.

Breakfast will include such traditional items as pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, and baked goods.

“I’m doing it as an accommodation to the locals who keep coming by and asking when we’re opening,” O’Keeffe told Crain’s. He added that in addition to breakfast hours, the new River Café will also feature a Chocolate Room. 

O’Keeffe’s other Brooklyn waterfront space, Liberty Warehouse, in Red Hook, reopened earlier this year and has been successfully hosting many community events and galas since.