He’s graced the pages of People Magazine 2 times, was featured on the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” twice and now famed restaurateur Bruno Serato, owner of the highly acclaimed Anaheim White House (The) – Anaheim, has been selected as a CNN Hero in a segment that will aired last Friday, March 25. The broadcast documented his Motel Kids program, in which he feeds 40,000 underprivileged youngsters in Orange County, Calif. each year.
In honor of his beloved mother, Serato founded Caterina’s Club whose mission is to make sure that the region’s most vulnerable population– its children — receive a hot meal before they are tucked into bed. In cooperation with the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club, Serato has identified the neediest in his own backyard. Each day at 6 p.m., 150 dinners are prepared and delivered to “motel” children, thus named because their parents are so poor that they are relegated to living in low-cost motel rooms. To ensure that nothing prevents the deliveries from being made, Serato purchased a fully equipped van and donated it to the Boys & Girls Club to facilitate the deliveries and any other critical transportation needs.
Situated in a historic national landmark mansion dating to 1909, the restaurant offers a quixotic menu of northern Italian/French fare, extensive wine list, unparalleled service and an elegant setting to create a dining experience that is timeless, remarkable and without equal. As a result, the restaurant has received such coveted distinctions as the “International Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and top rankings in the Zagat Dining Guide. The restaurant has attracted numerous celebs including Madonna, Sidney Portier, Andrea at Pelican Hill Resort – Newport Beach Bocelli, Gwen Stefani, Oscar de la Hoya, Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush and the Crown Prince of Belgium.
Another recent achievement:
The Anaheim White House (The) – Anaheim took front and center stage at the Southern California Restaurant Writers Awards ceremony held recently at The Madison in Long Beach. Among the honors captured by the critically acclaimed dining establishment were 5 Star recognition in both the brunch and fine dining categories, the Golden Bacchus Award (the top honor) for its extensive wine list and Manager of the Year Award for long-time General Manager Sylvano Serato.
“I am so proud of the recognition bestowed on the restaurant and especially the top honor presented to our hard-working general manager,” said owner Bruno Serato. “The past few years have been particularly challenging for the Anaheim White House (The) – Anaheim and all fine dining institutions, but it looks as though we may have seen the worst of it.”
www.anaheimwhitehouse.com
Posted on 03/28/11 by Allison
