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Warning Signs at Cercle Rouge
There are two signs in the door of Cercle Rouge, George Forgeois’s bistro at 241 W. Broadway: One says that the New York City marshal has taken possession of the premises (presumably because the rent is overdue); the other says the restaurant will reopen tomorrow, March 17.
The seized-by-marshal notice is usually grim news; I can’t think of any other establishments to have rebounded from it (including Cercle Rouge’s sister on Lispenard, Café Noir, which closed in November). In another bad omen, another Forgeois restaurant, Clarkson, also shut its doors in November. The phone number listed as the Forgeois Group website is the Cercle Rouge number, too, and no one is answering. I left a message for Forgeois at Bar Tabac in Brooklyn.
I couldn’t find out when Cercle Rouge opened, but I believe it was in 2005, which is also when the New York Times reviewed it.
Let’s hope it’s all just a misunderstanding.
UPDATE: “Based on the index number shown on the marshal’s notice,” commented James, who knows so much about these things, “this case was likely filed in October, and they probably owed 2-3 months of rent at least at that point. So now they probably owe around 8 months of rent. That’s a lot to come up with on short notice after all that time.”
UPDATE 3/17: The sign about reopening March 17 has been taken down (see last photo).
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Normally I would find news like this to be depressing, but I had dinner there a few weeks ago and it was awful. What had been a local favorite was so disappointing. It does feel like this is happening to so many of the neighborhood restaurants, I am sorry to say.
I went there two years ago with my husband and grown kids for brunch on Easter. It was nearly empty, but for a family whose small children ran around and around the restaurant screaming like Zombies. No staff (nor parents) told them to cool their heels. I swore I would never go back– and I haven’t. Still, sad news. But I saw it coming in their lack of concern.
Based on the index number shown on the marshal’s notice, this case was likely filed in October, and they probably owed 2-3 months of rent at least at that point. So now they probably owe around 8 months of rent. That’s a lot to come up with on short notice after all that time.
If the restaurant is closed for good, it is unlikely that the State Liquor Authority will let another full liquor license be issued next door to the mosque in violation of the 200 feet rule. That is reason enough for *both* parties to cone to a settlement here.
The place has been a disaster since day one.
For a year or so this was a great last stop on those fun date nights that get a little out of control towards the end. Super friendly manager and bartenders and waiters, it was a really fun place. Then one night we popped in for a last drink and the entire staff had been replaced. The new downer bartender said the owner had fired everyone at the same time and replaced them with an entire new staff. Problem was, the new staff sucked. Maybe they weren’t blowing lines in the coat check and drinking all the restaurant’s liquor, but they weren’t any fun at all regardless. Very depressing staff actually. We didn’t even finish our drinks that night. We went home, and never went back.
Cercle rouge owed 5k in december+ january & february rent + 20k in realestate taxes.true that the last 14 months i have been slow at paying.in addition they planned to put a scaffold right in the spring season which would affect the business tremendussly.add to that ,that the city doesn’t want to give us the permit for bastille day, i decided to call it a day.john , my landlord has been a good guy the first 9 years .i think he just lost it & don’t realise the damage done.come visit us at the other venues.life is good
This is unfortunate as I loved the food at Cercle Rouge. Will you be transferring some of the more popular item to the menu of one of your other restaurants? I especially loved the Cercle wings and kale and Sprouts salad. Or, would you be so kind supply me with the recipes of both?
Merci