The Velvet Note

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  Don't let the strip mall location put you off - this is one cool jazz spot.
  
  We ventured out on a recent Sunday evening (like last night) to hear some great jazz from Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks. The music was terrific and the venue was a nice surprise. Located in a strip mall on Milton Parkway?, you walk into a place modeled on the Blue Note, only with even better accoustics, thanks to a 43' ceiling above the stage.
  
  The food wasn't special - avoid the pasta dishes and the Caesar salad is not "authentic" as claimed (ask them to go easy on the dressing) - but the crab cakes and key lime pie were truly delicious, and the drinks mostly reasonably priced. The service was quite attentive and the Mistress of Ceremonies is clearly a warm-hearted lover of coool jazz.
  
  Check it out - worth the drive. We'll go again.

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  Posted on 05.27.13 Jennifer B.

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  My wife and I went with another couple to see Josh Lawrence.  The music was outstanding.  The venue only seats around 30 people, so it is a very intimate setting.  The acoustics are very good.  We met for dinner before the performance, so I can't comment on the quality of the food.  We plan to return.  I would definitely recommend this place for a date night.  Even if the artist turns out not to be your flavor, it is a different experience.

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  Posted on 04.22.13 Richard T.

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  This place is really, really adorable. Although on the smaller side of things, the ambiance gave a romantic and intimate vibe. I noticed that the seating arrangement was four per table, so if you are in a group of 2, be prepared to sit with another pair at your table. Luckily for me and my boyfriend, we chose to sit on the side near a small (side?) table so we didn't share our area with anyone.
  
  I think service was a bit spotty. They were really attentive at first, then kind of drifted away near the middle/end. We used our half off depot gift certificate which gave us two desserts on the house, and they nearly ran out of the dessert. We only got one piece but they made up for it by taking care of an item on our check.
  
  The band that played that night was the Dara Tucker Band. The music was uhhhh-mazing. I can definitely see us coming back in the future!

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  Posted on 03.31.13 Annie L.

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  I purchased 2 tickets to see Frank McComb on Saturday March 16th for 20.00 each which I thought was a good deal but I will have to say I wish I had of chose a different venue to see him perform. I did not like this place at all. First off when we arrived there were several empty tables we could have sat at but was told where to sit and that really pissed me and my husband off. They were seating people from the back of the room who got there early and the late comers were seated towards the front. Totally backwards!  I could even tell Frank McComb was not feeling this place either but he went on to perform a good set and once it was over I could not wait to leave. Thumbs down.

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  Posted on 03.17.13 Renee W.

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  I was invited to the Velvet Note on February 15th to see the amazing Monica Spears. It was our first time there and it was impressive. It's a small, intimate space with about a dozen tables. It's run by Tamara Fuller, who greeted us at the door and we got seated. The place was set up by a protegee' of George Lucas to be acoustically sound. High ceiling and a good look. I like how Tamara focuses on both  music and food. To the point of actually serving all food on plastic plates and knives and forks. This is so that you can focus on the music without clinking of silverware on plates. A good idea.
  So the menu was really nice, but not extensive. That didn't bother me beacuse I knew I wanted the crab cakes. I ordered them and they were really good. Good lump crab meat and not too much bread crumb. Served with red onion and arugla. Melissa got the beef tenderloin. Cooked medium rare with red potatoes and a garnish of green onion. Served with a mushroom demi-glace. .... and man, was it good. I got couple of bites.
  I always enjoy seeing Monica sing. She has a good grasp on the Great American Songbook, which I never tire of. Plus a few selections that the group has done some re-arranging on. All of the songs were good. I admit to shamelessly promoting Monica because she's my friend, but also because she sat at our table and flirted, which is always appreciated.

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  Posted on 02.18.13 Jim L.

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  I finally had the chance to return, and what a night to return. My wife and I went to see "An evening of Elton John with Ted Howe." Ted was accompanied by the great Jerry Fields on drums and Chris Riggenbach on bass. It was sublime; as good as it gets as far as a professional trio. Mr. Howe hears the complexity and musical genius of Elton John, and it translates remarkably well to a jazz idiom. If Mr. Howe and his great trio play again, I strongly urge you to attend. Ted Howe is a magnificent pianist and his shows should be widely and robustly attended; in a just world, it should all but be impossible to get a ticket to see him play, and doubly so when he is with this splendid trio.
  
  (BTW, if you want to hear a drummer who is the complete percussionist, and someone who clearly loves what he does, you must check out Jerry Fields sometime. If he doesn't have you leaning on the edge of your seat, about one drink away from making a public spectacle of yourself, dancing in the aisles, then you're probably past saving.)
  
  The room at the Velvet note helps make this possible. You will not hear a better sound-stage in Atlanta, or much of anyplace else for that matter. You must go to hear how good this room sounds.
  
  Lots of little upgrades since we first came, lighting artwork, better seating patterns, nice entryway, etc. A very warm and pleasant space.
  
  The food was good, portions a bit small on the meat/cheese assortment; definitely not a big guy platter. Service was sharp, attentive, friendly, and on their game. Both servers and the bartender worked as a team and covered the room well.
  
  The establishment now offers beer and wine. Wine with music, music with wine, wine with music. Reds were priced a bit high for the selections, but the choices were interesting and the Petite Syrah I had was quite good. Price was fair though for a music nightclub.
  
  Chairs still hurt, but I'm fat, so it's hard to say exactly who is actually responsible, the chair or my big ass. I'll sit in the fat people club chairs up front from now on.
  
  I get the plastic plates idea now, regular cutlery on porcelain plates makes a LOT of noise, it does, and listening to a performer over the clink and clank of dinner plates is not helpful to a perfect and intimate sound. Wine glasses are glass, but make no noise.
  
  Tamera is a great hostess (and owner) and she has had a string of sold out shows--justifiably, from what I heard last Saturday night. Congratulations Atlanta, you've been supporting jazz, even if it is dressed up with Elton John to lure you in. Keep up the good work; I think you're already out in front of LA for jazz club attendance. Our goal: Atlanta: the new home of jazz in the USA. As I said in my previous review, go, right away, and check out this great venue.

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  Posted on 02.11.13 Ubu R.

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  I'm currently teaching piano lessons in the area and chose to hold my recital at The Velvet Note back in December. It was the best choice I could have made for my students! They and their families were thrilled to perform in a "club" space, and the staff made sure that everything went off without a hitch. The piano sounds great in this space and I can see how concerts here could be popular.
  
  While I opted not to have alcohol at my event, I do know they have a fairly decent collection, and definitely some good wine! (This frazzled teacher needed a glass once everyone else had left.)

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  Posted on 01.30.13 Jani B.

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  First off, let me just say I will go back here. But that's said with reservations as I had a train wreck of an experience.  I love live music too much not to and you get the purist, most intimate sound that you'll find anywhere.  So kudos to the establishment for pulling that off.  
  
  I went with a group of six.  Mistake.  There's no way to accommodate a group of six.  If you come in 4 and 8's you can pull off being only with your group, otherwise it looked like people were sharing tables with strangers.  I hate that.  
  
  I happened upon VIP because I think our group size was being accommodated.  I know what you're thinking- special service!- stop thinking it.  Every body else in the joint had their drinks and food orders in and our group was NOT being attended to.  10 minutes roll by...  No one.  I get up and go to the bartender and asked if he could help get someone to make their way to the front seats at the stage.  All I needed was an "okay" but I got, not a smart azz but somewhat sassy, "There's really only two of us and we're making our way up there" speech.  Okay fine.  Someone swooped by five minutes later and dropped off menus,..he never came back.
  
  20 MINUTES LATER...the same bartender comes by, bends down and asks, have you all been helped?  Six people sitting there with not a single drink, 30 minutes after the concert started, every one else in the joint on their second drinks, eating food, just living it up and we have nothing. He did do 2 apologetic pats on my shoulder though before he took our order.  Luckily the wife and I had eaten and drank before we came.  Didn't know about the rest of the party though.  We had decided on the desserts and wine we were going to drink but I couldn't do it.  I was being a baby but didn't want to give them my money after the service fail and didn't want to have the debate with myself about the tip.  So I didn't order anything.  The wife got wine and was disappointed and only drank half.  The next time we saw service was at the end of the performance when the bill was dropped off.  
  
  I really couldn't care less about decor.  I just need a place to sit, good music, good service, and good wine.  I got a place to sit and good music.  And it looks like everyone else got...serviced.  Judgement withheld on the quality.  But since this is about me and the possibilities of what could happen to you, two stars...

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  Posted on 01.12.13 Derrick B.

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  Good place for music and acoustic lovers. If you look for relaxation and music inspiration then you're in the right place.
  
  We went here because we were given passes for my birthday. It's a small music bar located in Alpharetta. I forgot the name of the band who played that night but they were really great. They even welcome you to jam with them spontaneously if you like. The show lasted for couple of hours. To show courtesy to the performers, they don't encourage you to chat with your seatmate while the band plays. It's like watching a movie or play. The place is designed well for acoustics. Their plates, glasses, utensils are all plastic so it wont interfere with the sounds. The interior has a feel of a relaxed, cozy style of a living room. Our passes came with a free dessert and coffee. It was funny cos i feel like they just get their cakes and coffee from the grocery. haha. Their food menu is limited maybe because of the limited audience availability. The crowd that night was full of older people, oh well, what can I expect, it's in Alpharetta! lol

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  Posted on 12.14.12 Joselle C.

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  "When hope is not pinned wriggling onto a shiny image or expectation, it sometimes floats forth and opens"
  Anne Lamott
  
  Shiny Things:
  
  We are delighted with a new venue in North Fulton!  The originators of the Velvet Note have transformed a space in a strip mall into an intimate listening room with incredible acoustics.  In fact, it is not much bigger than a Subway, so the audience experience with the artist is a singular one.  The community is enriched by the fact that the owners were willing to take a chance on a serious live music venue.  Bravo for that!  
  
  This venue provides a rich experience but I am afraid it does not quite live up to the expectations that are created by the staff. You don't have to tell me if something glitters and please trust me to discern for myself if there is anything beneath the shine.
  
  Probably due to space limitations, the menu is limited.   Makes total sense.   However, touting a "Cordon Bleu trained" chef does not give one license to charge $18 for Crab Cakes that, although large, were well over seasoned with dill.  We also tried the fondue which was thin, lukewarm,  and lacked flavor.  The bourbon and beer lists are limited but contained interesting choices. They need people to spend lots of money on food and beverage.  God knows that we are happy to do that but you have to give us something good! You do not  want people to "catch a bite before the show" somewhere else!
  
  I did not mind the plastic plates and hardware in consideration of noise and space issues; after all, the plates are black which is the classiest color for plastic dinner service.    On the other hand, I was not crazy about the skirting over the chairs because it restricts you from putting your feet underneath (a habit that I did not know I had until I visited the Velvet Note) and gives the feel of a wedding reception rather than a "living room". The light show in the ceiling was interesting but also didn't seem to fit the "living room" motif.  Also, the wall lights above my table were way too bright. And, speaking of random complaints, that clunky notebook POS (P is for "point" not "piece") credit card machine  where tipping is a matter of multiple choice is awkward.
  
  The acoustic sound stage "designed by a protegee of George Lucas" (made me look up the spelling of "protegee"), is actually perfect in this space.  But there was a problem the night we were there that was quite irritating.  We were told that the acoustics were designed to provide the best in "enhanced sound", meaning that there is no house sound system.  However, the guitars and bass were electric and the vocals were miked.  My assumption is that the performers did their own sound.   The night we were there, no one officially seemed to notice the slight distortion in the vocals at high volume levels..  Even if the Velvet Note was not responsible for the band's soundboard, someone should have been paying enough attention to the performance to give the group a heads up to fix that.
  
  That said, this is a great venue and we hold those who bring us live music in the highest regard.  Despite having room for improvement on a few things, we are optimistic and look forward to returning.
  
  'Cause I'm glad I'm livin' Take troubles all with a smile Just because my color shade Is different maybe That's why they call me "Shine"'
  
  -From Louis Armstrong version of Shine

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  Posted on 12.13.12 Jerry C.

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  I agree with the previous reviewer on all counts. The owner assured me the liquor license is three days out. We'll see because beer and wine are not in my diet. The venue is good but there are two blacklight CFLs towards the back of the seating area. They're annoying. Either turn 'em off or replace 'em with regular, dimmable lamps. And get that liquor license!  
  
  The skill of the performers is world-class. I look forward to future shows!!!

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  Posted on 10.24.12 Michael D.

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