By Brooklynn Wong
It was a joyous occasion at Bruno Serato’s Anaheim White House Restaurant on Aug. 16, as old friends and patrons gathered to celebrate the brief resurrection of an old local favorite, Mr. Stox.
Serato, who joked that he was “so glad” when the rival restaurant shut its doors in 2012, has always had a close working relationship with the owners and staff of Mr. Stox, and decided to let them take the spotlight again, by serving some of its signature dishes and honoring the owners. When the one night quickly sold out, a second night was added.
Anaheim White House Restaurant Chef Bruno Serato.
Mr. Stox had been around since 1967, when local restaurateurs Harry and Maurine Fahnestock opened the Anaheim restaurant.
Ten years later, New Jersey hotel and restaurant owners Ron Marshall, his wife Debbie, and his brother Chick, moved west and bought Mr. Stox.
The restaurant, in close proximity to the White House, Angel Stadium and Disneyland, became one of Anaheim’s favorite fine-dining locales, specializing in steak and seafood, and featuring an impeccable wine list as well as a crowd of loyal regulars.
Upon retirement, the Marshalls sold the space to be used for other purposes.
White House General Manager, and Serato’s nephew, Sylvano Ibay, said that over the past several months the former owners and staff would occasionally dine at the White House, and they began tossing around the idea of having a Mr. Stox night. It finally came to fruition, and Serato began the festivities with a champagne reception on the front lawn, where former regulars of Mr. Stox enjoyed the opportunity to mingle again.
Chef Bruno Serato at right, and his nephew and General Manager Sylvano Ibay at left.
After a while, Serato called the three former owners, as well as Chick’s wife Susan and former General Manager Curtis Springer onto the steps, presented them with a plaque and gave them each a chance to speak.
(L-R): Chef Bruno Serato with Mr. Stox owners Chick Marshall, Debbie Marshall, and Ron Marshall, and Chick’s wife Susan.
Serato greets his guests as a packed house looks on.
Springer set the tone, saying, “It’s great to see all these faces again, and I say, let’s party.”
They shared the sentiment that they miss the restaurant but are glad to be rid of all the responsibilities involved.
Chick said, “I want you to know we miss you, and we miss the restaurant. We don’t miss running it…”
Said Debbie, “We were 36 years there, so I think we gave our heart for a long time.”
They also expressed great gratitude to Serato for his friendship over the years, and for the event, with Ron saying, “For Bruno to do this is humbling, and for all of you guys to show up is also humbling,” and Susan saying, “We all miss it, but thanks to Bruno, we’re all back for another night.”
Attendees were then treated to a signature Mr. Stox meal, composed of Maryland crab cakes, lobster bisque, osso buco, and New York style cheesecake.
Lobster bisque.
Osso buco: a veal shank in a sweet vermouth reduction with rustic vegetables and parmesan gnocchi.
New York style cheesecake.
The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon was given the rights to some of the Mr. Stox menu items, as well as the remainder of its wine inventory, when the latter closed.
The days of Mr. Stox may be over, but thanks to Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House Restaurant staff, and the loyal patrons that came out, the memories were briefly brought back to life.
