Joseph P. Kennedy had been a patron of '' Le Pavillon '' , but after Decré and Meyzen opened their new restaurant , Kennedy switched his patronage to '' La Caravelle '' , dining there regularly when in New York . It became a popular place for the Kennedy family to visit . Fessaguet chose and trained René Verdon to be chef at the White House when John F. Kennedy was elected president the year after opening . Verdon spent some weeks working with Fessaquet on the Kennedy family 's favorite dishes . President Kennedy was especially fond of '' La Caravelle '' s vichyssoise and chicken in champagne sauce . He often requested them as " take out " orders and would have them heated up on the plane as he traveled . Decré and Meyzen renamed the dish on their menu ; Poularde Maison Blanch then became " White House Chicken " . In 1964 , the Kennedys held a family reunion at La Caravelle ; one of the subjects of discussion at the reunion was said to be whether Robert F. Kennedy should ask to be nominated as vice president at the upcoming 1964 Democratic National Convention . Joseph P. Kennedy was in attendance and walked into the restaurant with the aid of a cane
1964 Democratic National Convention
1964 Democratic National Convention
La Caravelle (New York City)