A Moment In Time: At Dumonet On Smith Street Last Night

Dumonet's owner/chef Jean-Louis with former owner/chef Tony Romano

I spent the most pleasurable evening at the brand new Dumonet Brooklyn on Smith Street last night.  The French restaurant opened in the former Red Rose restaurant, which the Romano family operated at this location for 34 years.

New owners Jean-Louis and Karen Dumonet have re-imagined the space, but the old familiar wood bar is still exactly as it was and the restaurant has a wonderful familiarity about it.
Best of all, Tony Romano walked in last night and took his seat at his usual table, chatting with customers, just as he always did. His retirement to Florida lasted exactly four days before he returned to Brooklyn.

It was a perfect Carroll Gardens moment, a perfect mixture of the neighborhoods past and present.

Dumonet is now open  at 315 Smith street and the food is absolutely delicious.

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A Fond Farewell To Red Rose On Smith Street, As Owners Of Iconic Family Run Italian Restaurant Retire

A photo in Red Rose's business, showing its early beginnings

(photo credit: Red Rose)

 Santo Romano of Red Rose with members of his staff in 2011

Antonio Romano sitting at his favorite table in his restaurant

Antonio (Tony) and Santo Romano of The Red Rose,  a family-run restaurant at 315 Smith Street, has been serving classic Italian and Sicilian specialties since 1983, had some bitter-sweet news to share with the neighborhood earlier this months.  They decided to close their beloved Carroll Gardens eatery to enjoy retirement.
In a message on Red Rose's Facebook page, Santo wrote:
Dear Patrons, Friends and Family,
It is with great joy and excitement, along with some sadness too.  Red Rose will be closing its door on Sunday September 24 th.  We are officially Retiring.
As we look forward to the next chapter ahead,I must first thank you all for 34 glorious years worth of memories.
Thank you for sharing your lives in our dining room, we spent holidays, special occassions, and have seen countless children growing up in front of my eyes, Including my staff, many of you were just in high school.
I wish I could name you all, but I fear I might leave someone out, and you all know how bad I am with names ...lol
So, I will just say, Thank you to all my staff members, past and present.
We have met many people across the globe, I wish I could tap and  hug you all, as you all know I like to do, lol, but that is a bit unrealistic, so, instead, I will just say a great big Thank you for your support !!!
Time for me to say,
Mom, taking Dad fishing !

Antonio arrived in the United States  on an Italian ocean liner as a young man over 50 years ago. He first worked in restaurants around New York City, before meeting his beloved wife Anna, who encouraged him to open his own business. Their first venture was a sandwich and specialties shop on Cheever Place in Cobble Hill.
It proved so successful, that they decided to open Red Rose here in Carroll Gardens 34 years ago and "to established the family style restaurant of their dreams right here in the neighborhood they have always loved."
Their son Santo joined his parents business to continue the tradition. While Anna and Antonio welcomed patrons from a table in the front, Santo moved through the dining room, recited the nightly specials and made everyone feel welcomed.
Sadly, Anna passed away a few years ago, but Tony continued to stay involved in the business with his son.

Like for many others here in the neighborhood, Red Rose has been an integral part of my family's life and we will miss this iconic Carroll Gardens restaurant very much. At the same time, we are happy for Tony and Santo and hope that they will enjoy every day of their well deserved retirement.
Here is to hoping that the fishing is good, Santo and Tony!


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CB6 Board Members Celebrate The Holidays At Red Rose On Smith Street

Daniel Kummer, CB6 Chairman 

Assemblywoman Joan Millman and JoAnne Simon,  democratic District Leader

NY State Senator Daniel Squadron

Craig Hammerman, CB6 District Manager

Celia Cacace

Santo Romano, Owner of Red Rose on the left, with two members of his staff

Mr. Romano, senior

Members of Community Board 6 came together in Carroll Gardens last night to celebrate the Holidays.  The event was held at Red Rose Restaurant, one of the oldest eateries on Smith Street (29 years and counting.)  

Joining the festivities were Assemblymembers Joan Millman and James Brennan, New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilman Brad Lander and Democratic District Leader JoAnne Simon.

It was great fun, especially hanging out with my favorite Carroll Gardens Red Hook resident and former CB6 Board member, Celia Cacace.

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Join Members Of Community Board 6 At Annual Holiday Party

Members of Brooklyn Community Board 6, which represent Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook, the Columbia Street District and Park Slope, are inviting others in the community to join them at Red Rose Restaurant next Monday to celebrate the Holidays. Below is more info on the celebration:

"Here's a chance to come together as a community, to share some food and frivolity in a casual, social environment. That's right - no minutes to take, Robert's Rules of Order are suspended, and the only thing on the agenda is having fun!This year's event will be held on Monday, December 19th from 6-9pm, at Red Rose Restaurant, 315 Smith Street (between Union/President Streets), in Carroll Gardens. It's only $30 per person for savory, delicious snacks and soda. There's also a cash bar.We keep the price down to make this an affordable night out for everyone. And if we do clear anything above our cost, that money is used to help support our 501(c)3 organization, Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. It's our Friends group that pays for this monthly newsletter, and supplements our community board's meager operating budget.In order to keep us going another year, we would be grateful if you would consider making a year-end contribution on top of the party cost. Feel free to round-up to $50, or $100, or whatever fits your budget, and bring your check made out to "Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc." to the party with you, or mail it to us at 250 Baltic Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. As a non-profit organization, your year-end contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.We hope to see you at the party, because it wouldn't be a party without YOU. Feel free to bring family, friends and neighbors too."

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David Chase Uses Red Rose On Smith To Film Scenes For His Newest Project

There was quite a bit of commotion outside of Red Rose Restaurant on Smith Street tonight as scenes of David Chase's new production were filming in the Italian eatery. The creator of HBO's The Sopranos has signed James Gandolfini, Bella Heathcote, Christopher McDonald and Brad Garrett to his first full feature film. Steven Van Zandt is an executive producer and music advisor for the film. According to Movie Web, it's "a music-driven coming of age story set in suburbia in the '60s"
That would explain the vintage cars parked in front of Red Rose.

When I walked by at about 9 pm, and it looked as though things were starting to wrap up. I didn't spot any celebrities. Did anyone else?

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