(Historic Restaurant To Offer Host of Centennial Promotions to Celebrate Milestone In 2009)

The Anaheim White House structure will turn 100 years old in 2009 and owner Bruno Serato, one of the county’s most noted philanthropists, will maintain his tradition of giving by launching a number of promotions featuring a centennial theme. Every 100 days (April 10, July 19 and
October 27, 2009), the first 100 guests making reservations will receive $100 gift certificates. In addition, each Friday, the Anaheim White House will prepare a four-course, prix fixe dinner for $100 per couple ($50 per person) and those celebrating their 100th birthdays in 2009 will receive free lunch all year long (with proof of birth).
“What better way to celebrate our centennial than through this giveaway that celebrates the number 100 in many forms,� said Serato, who recently received a distinction by the Anaheim Walk of Stars for his philanthropy and culinary achievements. “As we look forward to our 100-year anniversary, I hope to celebrate the milestone with all of my friends, family, regulars and some new faces.�
Situated in what was once an enormous orange grove, the 300-plus seat fine dining establishment was originally designed to be a private home when first built in 1909. Dosithe Gervais, the original owner, sold it in 1916 to John Truxaw, M.D., an ob/gyn who delivered 3,500 babies throughout his career until his death in 1952. The home remained in the Truxaw family’s hands until being sold in 1978. Truxaw’s wife, Louise, fulfilled her dying wish several years later when she enjoyed a final lunch and her favorite drink, the house martini, at the restaurant that was once her home.
In 1978, (name) Bouch, an energetic woman in her 70s, purchased the home with the intent of transforming it into an antique store, but after suffering an illness, sold the property three years later to Jim and Barbara Stovall, who decided to demolish the mansion to make room for condominiums. On the eve of its destruction, however, Barbara had second thoughts – the structure was just too beautiful and important to be torn down, so the couple decided to, instead, transform it into an opulent restaurant. New plans were drawn up to restore the building now known as the Anaheim White House and the restaurant opened its doors on New Year’s Eve, 1981.
In 1987, the couple sold the property to Serato, an Italian immigrant who only recently had gained his citizenship, and he immediately began a quest to create the ultimate Southern California fine dining establishment. Over the ensuing years, he made numerous restorative efforts to preserve the property while lending his signature design stamp on the décor.
Today, Serato maintains the same philosophy that he developed in the early days of the Anaheim White House: treat each and every one of his patrons as a distinguished guests in his home. That simple approach, along with his refusal to compromise when it comes to cuisine or service has resulted in the restaurant receiving scores of prestigious accolades and highly coveted distinctions. They range from a “three-star� rating in the Mobil Guide and consistently high rankings in the Zagat Dining Guide to the International Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, the North American DiRoNA award and the Golden Sceptre award from the California Restaurant Writers Association. And while the East Coast may have their White House, culinary enthusiasts know that the real white house is situated in Anaheim, and the man behind the big desk who has adopted President Harry Truman’s philosophy of “the buck stops here� is an Italian immigrant who will treat you like a king.
For more information, visit www.anaheimwhitehouse.com.