Sunday, February 4, 2018

[EXCLUSIVE] Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar Coming to Challenging Restaurant Space

A new restaurant called Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar is opening in the former Mason Tavern restaurant space on Clairmont Road.  Mason Tavern closed last October after a three year run.  Although work seems to have quietly started weeks ago, it was earlier this week that a ToNeTo Atlanta reader indicated that exterior signage was going up at the restaurant. 
As of now, the restaurant has only a limited website with plenty of pictures of people posing at the restaurant, but no indication as to the style of food that will be offered.  

The restaurant, being opened by Sim Walker, is named for his grandmother, Icelyn Walker.  The website seems to suggest that Ms. Icey was also known as "The Graffiti Grandma," with plenty of new graffiti added to the interior of the restuarant.   Walker, whose mother is a Kingston, Jamaica native, opened his first Atlanta area restaurant, Negril Village, on North Avenue in Midtown in 2014.  The restaurant, which features Caribbean cuisine, is the sibling of the New York area restaurant by the same name.  

We called Negril Village in Atlanta inquiring about the expected opening of Ms. Icey's and the cuisine it would feature.  A gentleman who seemed to be a manager refused to answer either question.  

Sim Walker's Instagram seems to shed light on the menu with photos of a salad and blackened chicken pasta with the hashtag, "comfortfood."

"Leaked" photo of the Blackened Chicken Pasta 
As for the opening, the website indicates: "Soon Come Febuary 2018." 

Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar was registered October 25, 2017 with Georgia's Secretary of State's office and a Facebook page was set up November 13, 2017.  


In addition to Mason Tavern, the list of former restaurants that occupied the Emory area restaurant space include an Ethiopian bar/lounge/restaurant called Moya, which lasted the longest of the recent concepts a few years ago.  Subsequent concepts in the restaurant space have included Selam, Nest and Scoreboards.  The space was reportedly the original home of Athens Pizza.   

Other restaurants in the center include Villagio Gastro Italian, Pyng Ho, Community Q, Mint2 Thai Sushi and the most recent opening, Janet's Kitchen, a Filipino restaurant. 

Are you excited for the opening of Ms. Icey's? Have you been to Negril Village?  Why do you think so many restaurants have failed in this specific space?

Please share your thoughts below  

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mason Tavern failed because they were trying to be a downtown Decatur restaurant in that strip. "Jamaican comfort food" may struggle to distinguish themselves from Janet's which seems to be working in the space.

Lady in ATL said...

Not sure if it was the original home of Athens Pizza but it was a Tanner's Rotisserie Chicken that opened in 1991.

Anonymous said...

This was the original Athens Pizza space -- it did well there before moving to the larger space.

Anonymous said...

>>>As for the opening, the website indicates: "Soon Come Febuary 2018."<<<

Did ToNeTo misspell February? Or is it their website?

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: spelling,

It's a direct quote from their website.

Thanks for your readership and comments, I appreciate it!

Anonymous said...

" "Jamaican comfort food" may struggle to distinguish themselves from Janet's..."

Jamaican and Filipino food are very, very different.

Anonymous said...

Total failure! Next restaurant please!

Anonymous said...

The restaurants that do well in that area are more casual, less expensive. Sorry to say that this one does not sound promising.

Anonymous said...

If that "logo" is any indication, this will be short lived.

Anonymous said...

" The restaurants that do well in that are more casual, less expensive"

Most Jamaican restaurants are casual and more expensive...even far less expensive than the restaurants in that area"

Anonymous said...

* less expensive on the first line*

Anonymous said...

What a waste of square footage....a more universally accepted concept is far more prudent.

Anonymous said...

LOL! ... DEATHWATCH 2018 - #1 Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar!

Anonymous said...

The publicity photo shown lacks diversity and inclusivity.

D. Kaufman said...

I hope to visit Atlanta soon and will definitely check this new restaurant out. Especially the graffiti - created by @aesopslucy

Anonymous said...

You do know that Jamaica is Country of predominately black people right? So I am not sure how the picture lacks inclusion. If anything it makes it more authentic. And as for needing " a more universally accepted concept"....nope. Atlanta is full of plenty General American no culture white washed restaurants. The city is now full of people from other countries...let us enjoy the food from these places....are you not tired of the same ole same ole?

MK said...

All these negative comments.. It will thrive and be there longer than the previous owners..
We support one another.. Let these comments motivate you !!

MK said...

Well said!!
I know I’m !!

Unknown said...

Reading all of these comments SMDH. I just left Ms Icey’s Kitchen and it was vibrant, energetic and bustling with what PEOPLE!!! Sorry (but NOT sorry) to say that this place is to stay. The food stellar, service impeccable and vibe awesome, so with that said Ms. Icey’s Kitchen is WINNINGπŸ‘ŠπŸΎπŸ‘ŠπŸΎπŸ‘ŠπŸΎπŸ‘ŠπŸΎ Comments from a 1st time attendant...

Anonymous said...


My co workers and a group of her friends visited this restaurant last weekend says food is great loved the ambience.Im definitely trying it out. Don’t knock it until you try it!

BBR said...

Actually went to this spot yesterday and didn't know it was around for this long. The staff reported they had been open for a few months. I do not know the owners of this place, and had not heard about it until yesterday, but they have done and are doing a LOT of things correctly. The place was energetic and FAR from being on any kind of deathwatch.

I do not know where all of the hate is coming from... perhaps because this is a black establishment opened by black people and serving probably a primarily black clientele? If so, that's extremely sad and telling of the people in this country. Nevertheless, a fair and unbiased review of it can be found here: https://www.blackbizreviews.com/ms-iceys-kitchen-bar

With so many places closing for various reasons, I would think people would want to encourage those that have subpar service/products to go, while others who care about their customers should stay and be part of the community. If you aren't biased or prejudiced, just go and check it out for yourself. White/black, doesn't matter, the service and experience is awesome.

Guesswork said...

Proud to see Ms Iceys in Decatur. Tired of going miles away into the city to host venues such as birthdays, anniversaries. Kudos! Continued blessings and favors.

Guesswork said...

Glad to see Ms Iceys in Decatur where its greater. So tired of going into the city pay extra for parking to enjoy a night out with friends. The venue is fabulous and the food is fabulous. Watch out for the haters!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...