The White House Restaurant

The White House Restaurant is an informal but elegant waterfront restaurant in Kalami Bay, on the north-east coast of Corfu in the Ionian Islands of Greece. It occupies the former home of the Durrell family, the house associated with the writer Lawrence Durrell and his family's years on the island, and that literary connection gives the venue a distinct place among Corfu's restaurants. Kalami is a small, picturesque bay, and the house stands directly on the water, so the terrace and tables have sea views and a private, village-like feel. The kitchen serves Mediterranean and Greek cooking, and the recorded signatures are fresh fish and Mediterranean dishes. As on much of the north-east coast, the fish of the day is the usual centrepiece, supported by grilled meats, salads and Greek starters. The atmosphere is relaxed but a notch more polished than a simple beach taverna, with a moderate noise level; the service style is attentive without being formal. There is no strict dress code, but smart casual is common at dinner, and swimwear with a cover-up is more typical at lunch. Prices are upper-moderate, at about €25-50 per person (roughly USD 29-57), depending on whether fresh fish and wine are ordered. Greek and Mediterranean wines complement the menu. Booking is advised for dinner, especially from June to September, when the bay's few restaurants are busy and waterside tables are the first to go. Lunch is generally easier to arrange. Visitors staying elsewhere on the coast can reach Kalami by car or taxi, and combining a meal with a swim from the bay's pebble beach makes a popular half day. A visit also appeals to readers of Durrell's Corfu writing.