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?