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.