So, is Monte’s Venetian Room on Carroll Street in Gowanus closed for renovations? Well, it is. If you look at the front door. A special GL Correspondent reveals, however, that there is more to it that than, particularly if one approaches from a different direction:
On the face of it, Monte’s Venetian Room is telling customers it’s closed until Tuesday because of renovations. On the side door to the restaurant, however, a notice says the institution, which claims to be the oldest Italian restaurant in the city, was shuttered for “operating without a license.” We like the positive spin Monte’s has put on the situation.
Renovations. Lack of license. Same difference, right?
2 responses so far ↓
1 Taksa // Aug 26, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I’ve walked by this place daily for the past 3 years and have never seen a single customer in there. I always thought it was just a hangout for the long-timers from the block. I wouldn’t get a license for that either.
2 Louie // May 7, 2009 at 12:06 am
Well, I loved this place. The food was chancy, but on a good day, it was the best Chicken Parm this side of Luna (sadly closed too). But the thing that made this place was the absolutely best Ricotta cheesecake I have ever had. I hope they come back. There’s no way to get into Rao’s unless you are connected.