In the almost total decline of the nightclub business—meaning national name acts appearing cross.country in saloons and supper many establishments have wondered what to do with entertainment rooms. There still are some traveling acts, Of course. The Golliwog Lounge brings them in on a regular basis and some other clubs do so sporadically. Mostly, however, local joints depend on local talent. Which is fine. But, the old promotional pazazz associated with an Ahmad Jamal or an Ella Fitzqerald has departed. These cats have priced themselves completely out the local market, How can any club-owner pay $5,000 to $8,000 a week for an act that won’t bring that much at the cash register?
The White House in Golden Valley, which was one of the last of the supper clubs to stop trying to swim upstream, has hoisted a flag of truce. The Bamboo Room, scene of many good scenes, has been incorporated wholly into the restaurant part of the White House operation. A months-long remodeling job now is finished and the town has gained a beautiful new dining room. The ticky-tacky Tahitian motif that characterized the old Bamboo Room for years has vanished entirely. In its place is a singularly elegant lash-up called the Nob Hill. Habitues of the old BR can hardly conceive of what has been carved out of former space. Owner Irv Schectman brought in a team of San Francisco architects to tussle around with a problem that long afflicted the White House trying to make gracious and generously arranged areas within the confines of standing walls.
The key to the solution, I gather from observation, was extending the entryway some 14 feet. This created not only a handsome new doorway but also opened up the claustrophobic foyer, in which we used to trample over each other trying to check our coats, get downstairs to the Apartment or into the main dining room or into the Bamboo. Now, there is space in which patrons can sort themselves out. Also, a more inviting vista is presented. From the foyer, one can look through an open tier of pilasters into the main room — which has been redecorated in the now prevailing gas-lit, 1890s mode. To the right are etched glass windows, forming a divider for the Nob Hill room. The tone there is reminiscent of Ernie’s, the classic San Francisco restaurant, borrowings from which, are freely conceded. Red velvet walls and dark wood are by now almost standard. The difference is what you do with them. The White House has done beautiful things with them. Deep. curving banquettes, upholstered in red leather, line the walls. The bar is small and discreet. Period mirrors are strategically situated. Funky,but nice objects d’art hang on the wall or nestle on ledges. Schectman and his wife spent months cruising San Francisco junk shops and antique stores collecting them.
In addition to the visual niceties of the new room (and its harmonious fitting in with the other rooms) there is a pleasant quietude. A part of elegance is peace in which to enjoy it and the rearrangement at the White House has eliminated the funnel and slot bustle that used to create both noise and confusion. New menus are being planned. The restaurant long has offered distinguished dining, a well-considered mix of Cantonese, continental and the best American dishes. The new menu, Schectman said, will include new items in the Italian vein. There will be entertainment in the Nob Hill—but it will be of the quiet sort. Augie Garcia currently is playing his guitar there. Similar acts will follow.
-Don Morrison
Minneapolis Star-November 7th, 1967
