USC’s Webster’s Defines Four-Star Lunch

Webster’s Restaurant is a work of art--literally.

The chic, post-modern interior of the restaurant and bar--soft, quilted and embroidered pink columns and pseudo-ancient Greek-style pediments--was designed by renowned Texas-based architect Charles Moore, formerly a professor of architecture at UCLA. Interesting, actually, since the trendy Webster’s is owned and operated by USC.

But this is no typical college bar.

Located on the ground floor of the historic Embassy Hotel--which, since being purchased by USC a year ago, has been renamed the Embassy Residential College (the upstairs is a dormitory for postgraduate students)--Webster’s was originally named for the son of one of the hotel’s former owners. The hotel’s Embassy Auditorium hosted the premiere performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1919.

Moore has created a spacious, airy atmosphere in which to enjoy dining or cocktails: Seating 260, the restaurant has high ceilings, and numerous potted trees and hanging plants provide plenty of verdure. There is also plenty of room for dancing should the mood occur. The black-and-white tile floors are original and could not be changed because of the building’s status as a state Historic Landmark.

A Youthful Atmosphere

To be sure, there are lots of students who frequent the bar on any given evening, but they mingle with business people from the downtown area and other patrons who find the youthful atmosphere stimulating. And, on warm evenings, the wall facing 9th Street rolls up and away and the tables are moved out-of-doors to create a sidewalk cafe.

Said general manager Mike Stroud: “The university has given me a healthy budget with which to develop this into a bona-fide four-star restaurant.” To that end, Stroud brought in award-winning British chef Harry C. Finch to create the luncheon menu and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres for Happy Hours. From 5 to 8 p.m., pianist Bob Luna provides entertainment.

At present, Webster’s only serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but Stroud assures us that before long, it will be open weekends too.

The menu features such tasties as daily-fresh pasta dishes, fresh catch-of-the-day seafood and Cobb and Nicoise salads. There is also a special, more basic sandwich menu for students and others on a budget. In the best four-star tradition, Finch sees to it that great care is taken with the presentation as well as the preparation of entrees, so that the menu may be considered artistic too, in keeping with the restaurant’s decor.

Bob Chodak, Webster’s nighttime bartender for 3 1/2 years, says he enjoys the way it has changed since the university purchased it last year.

Stroud says he plans to start showcasing university musical groups perhaps as early as next year, adding yet another dimension to Webster’s.

Webster’s Restaurant is at 851 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, in the Embassy Residential College. Restaurant hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bar hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Information or reservations: (213) 612-6307.