On This Day in History, February 13: The Mystery Eatery

February 13, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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Al Salerno was a columnist for The Brooklyn Eagle in the late 1940s. In his “Night Life” column of Feb. 13, 1948, he wrote of a restaurant named Le Cordon Rouge, but failed to mention the street address on Montague. Apparently it was a swank restaurant, but we haven’t been able to determine the exact location. We suspect that it is still a restaurant under another name. If anybody remembers, let us know.

"CORDON ROUGE HAS EAST SIDE SWANK — Le Cordon Rouge on Montague, the Street of Restaurants in Brooklyn Heights, is operating again under new management. Outwardly it may appear to be the same old place but numerous changes have been made in an attempt to increase eye and palate appeal. It is a rival for many of the Eastside salons in Manhattan.

“The most noteworthy change in my opinion was the acquisition of Ernie Corrideo, formerly of Sardi’s, to rule over the mass of new equipment installed in the kitchen, and to do the fine things he does with food. Menu features French-Italian dishes, from appetizers right on down through dessert.

“Cordon Rouge sports a freshly cleaned face. Walls and ceilings have been gone over, new draperies have been hung, and even the ersatz birds in their cages have received a primping. Steve Dziki, the amiable, dapper fellow who greets you at the door, is new to Cordon Rouge, but is a familiar figure to visitors on the Heights. He is a veteran of Montague St., having worked at several of the street’s dining places.

“For a broader view of the place, we’ll start at the door. On the left is the coat room — no charge for checking — and on the right is an old and famous bar. It came from the once-fabulous Reisenweber’s and in its almost 100 years of holding up drinks and drinker, has felt the foot or elbow of many a famous character. There is a wide expanse of mirror behind the bar, and atop it are boxes of multi-colored artificial flowers.

“A pyrex glass tank, five feet tall and six feet wide, acts as a separator between bar and dining room, which seats 65 comfortable. An old-fashioned fireplace topped by crystal lamps, a luxurious timepiece, and further up, miniature balconies, are the showplace of the room. Rose is the dominant color in the walls and ceiling and is carried over into drapery, banquettes and slip covers on chair backs."