The Willow Glen Resident

The White Dove Cafe spreads its wings anew

New site has plenty of light, elbow room

By Cecily Barnes

After three years crammed into the tiny space in front of Sharky's Bar, the White Dove Cafe is finally ready to spread its wings. On May 12, the restaurant will officially open for business in its new location inside the Garden Theater building.

Prior to the opening, owners David Laing and Jeff Michel proudly showed off their expanded dining space, with 26 cloth-covered tables, potted trees and translucent white curtains.

"We've worked hard for three years and three months to establish a reputation," Laing said. "We're going to go with the exact same menu, at least until we get everything down, and then we'll try some new appetizers."

Everything inside the White Dove Cafe is painted a Navajo white, accentuating the beige tiled floors, large windows and tastefully displayed watercolor paintings. With two dining areas and white curtains on the windows, the restaurant feels both cozy and classy.

"We didn't want people to feel like they were eating in a completely open fishbowl," Laing said, referring to the restaurant's glass walls and window areas. "We wanted as much light as possible, but we also wanted people to feel comfortable sitting at the window without feeling like they're in the Burger King eating area."

Laing and Michel opened the restaurant on May 6 to train the staff and make sure everything was going smoothly before the May 12 grand opening. With the larger space, Laing and Michel hired a staff of 20 to 25 people including two additional chefs, servers, busers and dishwashers. In their old location, Laing and Michel had only two employees.

"We've been very fortunate to get a very high-energy group of servers together," Michel said. "They're a great group of kids."

By the end of May, Laing and Michel plan to offer a Sunday brunch. The two busily prepare for the night's dinner while admiring their new dining rooms.

"This to me is an absolutely ideal space," Laing said. "Everything we've been looking for."

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