White House dining includes journey
DINING OUT
When it comes to the history of local restaurants, The White House in
Downtown Laguna Beach is a glowing example of steadfast longevity.
Initially constructed way back in 1918, the building has obviously
gone through multitudinous building and ownership changes to become
the handsome attraction it is today. Scanning the vintage black and
white photographs adorning the cocktail lounge is a fascinating
reflection of its initial setting in that bygone era.
Note the 1936 photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt in his presidential
motorcade driving past The White House while campaigning for his
second term in office. Then, as now, such luminaries as movie stars
Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford
made this a favorite dining destination when visiting our lovely
Laguna Beach.
Following an enviable 22 years pleasing patrons, principal George
Catsourus is happily anticipating an anniversary this coming April 1,
the date he initially took the reigns here in 1971. It will certainly
be no April Fool’s Day in this instance. That his concept continues
to attract celebrities, illustrious guests who were recently seen
enjoying an evening here were sports figure Evander Holyfield, actor
Nicholas Cage and TV personality Joe Millionaire of the popular
reality series. It appears that the beautiful and famous are totally
comfortable in this environment, quite possibly because we have more
than our own share of resident celebrities consistently partaking of
local hospitality.
When it comes to a day or night on the town, The White House
leaves nothing to be desired. Beyond serving brunch on weekends,
lunch, cocktails and dinner daily, it is the sole spot in town
featuring live entertainment nightly. A spacious dance floor invites
singles as well as couples to trip the not-so-light fantastic to
reggae, R & B, Top 40s, jazz and funk Thursday through Sunday. Then
on Tuesday and Wednesday we dance to DJ Mighty Joe as he spins CD
favorites. Mirthful mixologists John and Jason, and winsome
waitresses Holly and Sandy are another reason that this is a favorite
respite of localites who seem to make this their home away from home.
Here we have casual California cuisine with provocative ethnic
accents. With a choice of seating for alfresco enjoyment at the
perimeter entry, in the main dining room and in the friendly cocktail
lounge, this is especially popular with singles who often linger at
the bar. The lunch menu offers Cajun crab cakes, a Greek peasant
salad and a hefty Mediterranean vegetable pita stuffed with grilled
onions, peppers, zucchini and carrots plus avocado, tomato, sprouts,
feta cheese and garlic mayo. This is one among such sandwiches as the
Jamaican chicken and charbroiled ahi which are accompanied with
French fries or fresh fruit, $2.50 additional for soup or a green
salad.
Dinner favorites run a wide range commencing with Texas-style baby
back ribs, charbroiled prime rib of pork and steaks. A choice of
blackened Cajun butter, cabernet mushroom sauce or green peppercorns
gives different dimensions as toppings for top sirloin, filet mignon
and rib-eye steaks. Following come such diverse dishes as hot, spicy
Cajun shrimp and chicken, ginger wasabi ahi and some tempting pasta
delights. These range from the bruschetta appetizer going to penne
and capellini pastas -- pomodoro style with fresh tomatoes, basil and
feta cheese or sauteed with shrimp, chicken, mushrooms, artichoke
hearts, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil. Penne is offered with jerk
chicken and vegetables seasoned with cilantro and pesto. Seafood
selections run a gamut from shrimp scampi and charbroiled Atlantic
salmon to ginger wasabi ahi and, delectably enticing, a captivating
toss of shellfish and finfish steamed with garlic, shallots and wine,
then tossed with angel hair pasta.
Adding to all this happiness, Catsourus promises some interesting
new embellishments to the current menu, one of which may be the
addition of prime rib of beef as a weekend specialty. No wonder
friends often hear my comment that it’s small wonder I seldom miss
the Big Apple and environs when right Downtown we have Broadway, Park
Avenue AND The White House.
* GLORI FICKLING is a long-time Laguna Beach resident who has
written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at 494-4710 or by e-mail at ghoneywest@aol.com.
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