Embedded Files
"You didn't go to the Redwood to eat; you went there to dine..." -- Joe Rongaus - former maître d'
THE RONCACE (RONGAUS) FAMILY
One of the many interesting stories from the early days of Donora is the founding of the Redwood restaurant at 87 Castner Avenue between First Street and McCrae Avenue. The former Redwood is shown in the photo to the right.
Starting as the Rongaus grocery store in 1916 by Italian immigrants: Simplicio and Maria Roncace (pronounced ron-case) or Rongaus, the store morphed into a neighborhood "shot and a beer" tavern –- the Rongaus Hilltop Restaurant in 1932 that also served food.
The Roncace name was Americanized to Rongaus in the early 1920s. Family members have used both spellings.
One of the many interesting stories from the early days of Donora is the founding of the Redwood restaurant at 87 Castner Avenue between First Street and McCrae Avenue. The former Redwood is shown in the photo to the right.
Starting as the Rongaus grocery store in 1916 by Italian immigrants: Simplicio and Maria Roncace (pronounced ron-case) or Rongaus, the store morphed into a neighborhood "shot and a beer" tavern –- the Rongaus Hilltop Restaurant in 1932 that also served food.
The Roncace name was Americanized to Rongaus in the early 1920s. Family members have used both spellings.
Simplicio Roncace (in the photo to the far left) and Maria Roncace (in the photo to the left) had nine children (see the photo to the right) that included Dr. Walter Rongaus (born in 1911) and Dr. William "Bill" Rongaus (born in 1914) who were instrumental in helping patients during the 1948 Smog. Dr. Bill was extremely outspoken after the smog and gave countless interviews.
The eighth of the nine children was Leon "Lee" Rongaus who was born in 1918, and we believe is the small boy on the right in a sailor shirt.
The eighth of the nine children was Leon "Lee" Rongaus who was born in 1918, and we believe is the small boy on the right in a sailor shirt.
LEON "LEE" RONGAUS
Lee was a 1936 graduate of Donora High School (see the photo to the left). A few years later, Lee was drafted to the U.S. Army during World War II where he served stateside.
After Lee was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as a Lieutenant, he attended Penn State University for two years, then took over the Rongaus Hilltop Restaurant with sisters Jean and Ulanda.
Lee met his wife, Armeda, at a nightclub, and married her in 1948. At around the same time, he began gradually turning the tavern into the Redwood. (Lee is shown in the photo to the right)
Lee lived in the apartment above the restaurant until he moved to Brentwood and then Whitehall later in life.
Lee was a 1936 graduate of Donora High School (see the photo to the left). A few years later, Lee was drafted to the U.S. Army during World War II where he served stateside.
After Lee was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as a Lieutenant, he attended Penn State University for two years, then took over the Rongaus Hilltop Restaurant with sisters Jean and Ulanda.
Lee met his wife, Armeda, at a nightclub, and married her in 1948. At around the same time, he began gradually turning the tavern into the Redwood. (Lee is shown in the photo to the right)
Lee lived in the apartment above the restaurant until he moved to Brentwood and then Whitehall later in life.
THE FOUNDING OF THE REDWOOD
The redwood clad entrance facade (see the photo to the left) to the restaurant greeted guests with the gold-lettered words - "A Book of Verse, A Loaf of Bread, A Jug of Wine and Thou," a phrase from a poem attributed to Omar Khayyam, captivating diners at the door in an "invitation to a perfect evening of dining."
Omar Khayyam was born in Nishapur, Iran and was an 11th–12th century Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet, known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Persian literature.
The redwood clad entrance facade (see the photo to the left) to the restaurant greeted guests with the gold-lettered words - "A Book of Verse, A Loaf of Bread, A Jug of Wine and Thou," a phrase from a poem attributed to Omar Khayyam, captivating diners at the door in an "invitation to a perfect evening of dining."
Omar Khayyam was born in Nishapur, Iran and was an 11th–12th century Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet, known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Persian literature.
The front door, with its fan-shaped leaded window and door knocker (see the photo above and to the right), also had the saying - "Joie de vivre," a French saying meaning "Joy of Living."
The Redwood was open Tuesday through Saturday, even on holidays. On Tuesday through Thursday, the hours were 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for one table turn or round of customers. On Friday and Saturday, the hours were 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for two table turns or rounds of customers. The Redwood was closed in January and part of February while Lee was on vacation.
The Redwood was open Tuesday through Saturday, even on holidays. On Tuesday through Thursday, the hours were 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for one table turn or round of customers. On Friday and Saturday, the hours were 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for two table turns or rounds of customers. The Redwood was closed in January and part of February while Lee was on vacation.
REDWOOD TABLES
White linen tablecloths, a single rose and Lee's very own hand-etched wine glasses with Italian love verses welcomed diners to their warmly candlelit tables, only seating thirty-two patrons across eight tables.
A ceiling covered in bamboo and walls decorated with paintings of nudes added a touch of intrigue.
White linen tablecloths, a single rose and Lee's very own hand-etched wine glasses with Italian love verses welcomed diners to their warmly candlelit tables, only seating thirty-two patrons across eight tables.
A ceiling covered in bamboo and walls decorated with paintings of nudes added a touch of intrigue.
ETCHED WINE GLASSES
Lee etched the spotless glassware with passionate exhortation in Italian, some from operas and some he composed himself.
The sentiments he etched speak in his joy of living and love. Some examples were:
"Cara,Vieni Piu Vicina" (Dearest, Come Closer),
"Che Sera Sera" (What Will Be, Will Be),
"Cara, Tu Sae Mia Vita" (Dearest, You Are My Life),
"Caessima, ricorda tutta questa bellezza domani" (Dearest, remember all these beautiful things tomorrow) are a few of the many sayings he etched.
Lee etched the spotless glassware with passionate exhortation in Italian, some from operas and some he composed himself.
The sentiments he etched speak in his joy of living and love. Some examples were:
"Cara,Vieni Piu Vicina" (Dearest, Come Closer),
"Che Sera Sera" (What Will Be, Will Be),
"Cara, Tu Sae Mia Vita" (Dearest, You Are My Life),
"Caessima, ricorda tutta questa bellezza domani" (Dearest, remember all these beautiful things tomorrow) are a few of the many sayings he etched.
REDWOOD BAR
The wooden bar could seat eight and was built by Lee himself. Behind the bar were tiered glass shelves lit by dim blue light.
Drinks at the bar was limited to two, so as not to dull the palate.
The bar was just for people eating that night and not for drinking only.
The wooden bar could seat eight and was built by Lee himself. Behind the bar were tiered glass shelves lit by dim blue light.
Drinks at the bar was limited to two, so as not to dull the palate.
The bar was just for people eating that night and not for drinking only.
REDWOOD PATIO and WINE CELLAR
The Redwood transported diners from the Rust Belt to an intimate setting overlooking a Roman garden.
Behind the restaurant was a beautiful well-kept Roman garden which the diners could visit before or after their meal. There were three tables out there to enjoy your drinks, appetizers or dessert on the flagstone patio. Scissor pruned grapes and figs adorned the arbor, and a golden apple tree had its branches attached to the wall.
A well-stocked wine cellar existed in the basement and was open to customers as well. Lee served as the sommelier for the house wine or 1962 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.
The Redwood transported diners from the Rust Belt to an intimate setting overlooking a Roman garden.
Behind the restaurant was a beautiful well-kept Roman garden which the diners could visit before or after their meal. There were three tables out there to enjoy your drinks, appetizers or dessert on the flagstone patio. Scissor pruned grapes and figs adorned the arbor, and a golden apple tree had its branches attached to the wall.
A well-stocked wine cellar existed in the basement and was open to customers as well. Lee served as the sommelier for the house wine or 1962 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.
ATMOSPHERE
Only guests with reservations, often made weeks in advance, would be seated providing they were on time, no exceptions, even for people like Stan Musial. You paid by cash or check; no credit cards. Printed menus were shunned; Lee personally informed his patrons what was available for that evening; water and martinis were not served in the dining area; and smoking was strongly discouraged. Lee believed that his patrons should focus on the excellent food or wines, nothing else.
Lee was not only the maître d' or headwaiter but a self-taught head chef as well. He greeted the guests, kissed the lady's cheek, took their coats and furs and led them to their table. The women were seated with Lee handling their chairs.
Only guests with reservations, often made weeks in advance, would be seated providing they were on time, no exceptions, even for people like Stan Musial. You paid by cash or check; no credit cards. Printed menus were shunned; Lee personally informed his patrons what was available for that evening; water and martinis were not served in the dining area; and smoking was strongly discouraged. Lee believed that his patrons should focus on the excellent food or wines, nothing else.
Lee was not only the maître d' or headwaiter but a self-taught head chef as well. He greeted the guests, kissed the lady's cheek, took their coats and furs and led them to their table. The women were seated with Lee handling their chairs.
The Redwood staff had notes on each client's likes and dislikes. Rude customers were noted as well and the next time they attempted to make a reservation, the restaurant was conveniently already booked full.
Young men from around the block and in town were hired as busboys and later as maître d's.
If limousines were seen in Donora, more than likely, they were headed to the Redwood.
Young men from around the block and in town were hired as busboys and later as maître d's.
If limousines were seen in Donora, more than likely, they were headed to the Redwood.
FRANCIS "GOOCH" RONGAUS
Lee's nephew, Francis "Gooch" Rongaus was born in 1938 and graduated from Donora High School in 1956 (see the photo to the left). Gooch started at the Redwood shortly after high school but undoubtedly before that along with other family members who helped clean the restaurant and kitchen, cleaned spotless every night, and washed dishes. It was a true family operation. Gooch possessed many of Lee's endearing characteristics and quickly became an executive chef with Lee being the maitre d' even though he still spent time in the kitchen.
Lee's nephew, Francis "Gooch" Rongaus was born in 1938 and graduated from Donora High School in 1956 (see the photo to the left). Gooch started at the Redwood shortly after high school but undoubtedly before that along with other family members who helped clean the restaurant and kitchen, cleaned spotless every night, and washed dishes. It was a true family operation. Gooch possessed many of Lee's endearing characteristics and quickly became an executive chef with Lee being the maitre d' even though he still spent time in the kitchen.
THE CUISINE
Lee traveled to Pittsburgh several times a week for ingredients and cut his own meat.
Prepared by Lee and Gooch (shown in photo to the right), the menu featured delicate cuisine of appetizers of crab imperial and shrimp in a light butter, a mouth-watering Parmesan bread, lightly stroked with garlic and served with piping hot signature entrees of beef braccialette (fillets served on a skewer with a light wine sauce,) rack of lamb and lobster. Other times, they offered New York strip steak, filet mignon or filet en brochette flavored with home-grown rosemary. Dinner included a salad of fresh leaf lettuce, stuffed twice-baked potato and homemade onion bread. Homemade rose wine was also served. The dessert choices ranged from an Italian whipped cream "bomb" to chocolate Bavarian to spumoni.
Delivery and presentation of the food was a true dining experience. Everyone at the table had to finish each course before the next course was served.
Lee traveled to Pittsburgh several times a week for ingredients and cut his own meat.
Prepared by Lee and Gooch (shown in photo to the right), the menu featured delicate cuisine of appetizers of crab imperial and shrimp in a light butter, a mouth-watering Parmesan bread, lightly stroked with garlic and served with piping hot signature entrees of beef braccialette (fillets served on a skewer with a light wine sauce,) rack of lamb and lobster. Other times, they offered New York strip steak, filet mignon or filet en brochette flavored with home-grown rosemary. Dinner included a salad of fresh leaf lettuce, stuffed twice-baked potato and homemade onion bread. Homemade rose wine was also served. The dessert choices ranged from an Italian whipped cream "bomb" to chocolate Bavarian to spumoni.
Delivery and presentation of the food was a true dining experience. Everyone at the table had to finish each course before the next course was served.
Customer's leftovers were put in a crafted foil to-go package and adorned with a rose.
In 1978, a dinner costs about $25 to $30 per person.
After applying hard work and personal charm, Lee and Gooch made it into the legendary Redwood – a Five-Star establishment because of the excellent food and ambiance.
In 1978, a dinner costs about $25 to $30 per person.
After applying hard work and personal charm, Lee and Gooch made it into the legendary Redwood – a Five-Star establishment because of the excellent food and ambiance.
FAMOUS GUESTS
Celebrities playing at the nearby Twin Coaches such as Tony Bennett (photo below - far left) and Frank Sinatra (photo below - second from left), and others like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (photo below - middle), Stan Musial (photo below - second from right), Donora boxer Lee Sala (photo below - far right) and many Super Bowl Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the 1970s, were among the many who dined at the Redwood.
Celebrities playing at the nearby Twin Coaches such as Tony Bennett (photo below - far left) and Frank Sinatra (photo below - second from left), and others like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (photo below - middle), Stan Musial (photo below - second from right), Donora boxer Lee Sala (photo below - far right) and many Super Bowl Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the 1970s, were among the many who dined at the Redwood.
One of the busboys, later in life, told a story about a visit by Stan "The Man" Musial when Stan was in town. The busboy wanted an autograph in the worst way but didn't want to bother him. At one point, Stan went to the bar, and the busboy thought this was his chance. He took a napkin to Stan and asked for his autograph. Stan told the young man that, "I'm Stan Musial, I can do better than that." Stan reached into his pocket for his car keys and gave them to the busboy. He told him to go into the car parked on Castner Avenue and get the box in the trunk and bring it into the restaurant. The busboy asked him which car was his. Stan said matter-of-factly, "The Cadillac!" The busboy retrieved the box and placed it on the bar. Inside the box was filled with brand new baseballs. Stan signed baseballs and gave them to whoever wanted one.
THE CHAINE
The creme de la creme for Lee was in 1973, when he received the "Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs" in 1973, an international gastronomic society. The Chaine is dedicated to bringing together those who share a mutual interest in cuisine, wine and fine dining in a spirit of camaraderie. Lee is shown in the photo to the left wearing the Chaine with wife Armida.
The "Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs" was donated to the Donora Historical Society and is currently on display with other Redwood artifacts. See the photo to the right.
The creme de la creme for Lee was in 1973, when he received the "Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs" in 1973, an international gastronomic society. The Chaine is dedicated to bringing together those who share a mutual interest in cuisine, wine and fine dining in a spirit of camaraderie. Lee is shown in the photo to the left wearing the Chaine with wife Armida.
The "Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs" was donated to the Donora Historical Society and is currently on display with other Redwood artifacts. See the photo to the right.
NATIONAL PUBLICITY
National recognition came in an extensive 1978 Fortune Magazine article, "A Steelworkers Hangout That's Come a Long Way." The sketches to the left and right were part of this article.
In 1985 in "A History of a Restaurant" by George Will in the Palm Beach Post.
And in 1978, Travel/Holiday magazine's Dining Distinction Award as one of the "Fine Restaurants of the World."
National recognition came in an extensive 1978 Fortune Magazine article, "A Steelworkers Hangout That's Come a Long Way." The sketches to the left and right were part of this article.
In 1985 in "A History of a Restaurant" by George Will in the Palm Beach Post.
And in 1978, Travel/Holiday magazine's Dining Distinction Award as one of the "Fine Restaurants of the World."
THE END OF THE REDWOOD ERA
Lee (in the photo to the right) operated the Redwood from the 1950s until around 1983 when he was looking to retire. The understanding was that Gooch would take over the Redwood as the owner, which he did until he became ill and died prematurely a few years later in 1985. Gooch's wife Patty would take over for a couple years until around 1987. The Redwood was then sold by the Rongaus family.
The Redwood was sold several more times in the years to follow. While the restaurant continued to receive excellent reviews with the new owners, it closed in the late 1990s.
Lee Rongaus died in 2011.
Lee (in the photo to the right) operated the Redwood from the 1950s until around 1983 when he was looking to retire. The understanding was that Gooch would take over the Redwood as the owner, which he did until he became ill and died prematurely a few years later in 1985. Gooch's wife Patty would take over for a couple years until around 1987. The Redwood was then sold by the Rongaus family.
The Redwood was sold several more times in the years to follow. While the restaurant continued to receive excellent reviews with the new owners, it closed in the late 1990s.
Lee Rongaus died in 2011.
REDWOOD MEMORABILIA
Members of the Rongaus family donated various Redwood mementos and artifacts to the Donora Historical Society that now occupy a small display at the Smog Museum, including hand-etched wine glasses, culinary certificates and medals, dedicated to the Redwood, and Lee and Gooch Rongaus.
Members of the Rongaus family donated various Redwood mementos and artifacts to the Donora Historical Society that now occupy a small display at the Smog Museum, including hand-etched wine glasses, culinary certificates and medals, dedicated to the Redwood, and Lee and Gooch Rongaus.
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