Where were you last weekend? If you live in Los Angeles, or if you are the kind of dedicated food enthusiast who willingly travels across states for a truly exceptional dining party, chances are you joined the bustling crowds at Eater Off Menu. Held in partnership with Cathay Pacific, the annual celebration brought together the chefs, dishes, food trends, and cocktail crazes that food media has been eating, drinking, and writing about all year long. This year, organizers decided to elevate the experience by hosting a one-of-a-kind party at the legendary Tam O’Shanter, an Old Hollywood haunt nestled in Atwater Village.
The venue itself provided an extraordinary backdrop for the culinary festivities. With an interior aesthetic that falls squarely between a 19th-century Scottish tavern and Snow White’s house—fittingly, as it was famously Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant—the historic space was transformed into a winding wonderland of food creations. Inside and across the sprawling grounds, event organizers gathered a remarkably ambitious lineup of local favorites and out-of-town talent. The roster included celebrated establishments like Holbox, Thunderbolt, Night on Earth, Pasjoli, Café Telegrama, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Quarter Sheets, Ji Rong, Kidori, and Mister’s ice cream sandwiches in collaboration with Molly Baz. They were joined by flown-in out-of-towners, including New York City hotspot Dean’s and chef Gregory Gourdet of Portland’s acclaimed restaurant Kann, delivering a food party unlike any the city had seen before.
Upon entering the historic grounds, attendees were immediately greeted by a sensory overload of exceptional cooking and imaginative presentation. A 40-foot-long, snaking sheet cake crafted by pastry chef Hannah Ziskin of Quarter Sheets stretched through the space, while a tabletop-sized stargazy pie from Dean’s drew gasps from onlookers. The rich, savory aroma of juicy roast meat filled the air as Ji Rong expertly carved Peking duck. Nearby, a Cathay Pacific flight attendant moved through the crowd passing out flutes of champagne, perfectly complementing the atmosphere of indulgence and celebration.
Guests eagerly slurped fresh scallops straight from the shell at the counter hosted by Holbox, highlighting the restaurant’s award-winning Mexican seafood. Meanwhile, the culinary crossover continued as Pasjoli carved French dip sandwiches smothered in a delectable poivre sauce, utilizing Lawry’s The Prime Rib’s iconic carving carts. Just steps away, the legendary prime rib establishment prepared its famous spinning salad completely to order, maintaining a beloved tradition while delighting long-time fans and first-time tasters alike.
Beverages played an equally prominent role in the evening’s programming. At the central bar, the teams behind Thunderbolt and Night on Earth dreamed up innovative drinks that exemplified the top beverage trends of the year. Highlights included inventive uses of banana, showcased in a banana-miso carajillo, the nostalgic return of Hpnotiq served in a neon passion fruit refresher, and an array of miniature "tinis," featuring both classic variations and the trendy Gilda. Overseeing the game room was a striking, conceptual ice sculpture embedded with whole fish, radishes, beets, and tinned provisions, serving as a conversation piece for curious guests.
Out on the patio, Café Telegrama operated a pop-up outdoor diner, serving both sweet and savory versions of its cult-favorite ricotta pancakes. Just a few steps away, a lively line formed for the Majestic photobooth, where attendees clamored to capture memories of the night. Lively chatter continually flowed from the cozy Cathay Pacific outdoor lounge, where guests enjoyed exquisite yakitori supplied by Arcadia’s Sumibiyakitori Kidori. Those who lingered long enough were rewarded with freshly passed salt bread from Out of Ordi, generously stuffed with sweet corn or ube cream. For guests looking to cool off or satisfy a demanding sweet tooth, founder Molly Baz herself handed out Mister’s ice cream sandwiches, topped with sweet-salty crunchy brittle.
As the evening wound down, every departing guest received a generously packed gift bag featuring treats from some of the culinary world’s most popular and buzzed-about brands. The takeaways included Luxardo’s beloved cocktail cherries, Unreal’s better-for-you chocolate candies, Giadzy’s celebrity-chef-approved gluten-free pasta, and noodles from Fly By Jing seasoned with their cult-favorite chile crisp and signature sauces. Attendees also received a coupon to pick up their favorite flavor of Molly Baz’s signature mayonnaise line, Ayoh, with the dill pickle variety standing out as a particular fan favorite.
Organizers have already begun looking ahead to future gatherings, encouraging food lovers to download the Eater app and create a profile to secure first access to upcoming events. Meanwhile, attendees who participated in the festivities were invited to share their feedback through a dedicated experience survey, with respondents entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
