Where were you last weekend? If you live in the greater Los Angeles area or are the kind of dedicated culinary traveler willing to board a flight just for a phenomenal food party, the place to be was the historic Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village. Eater Off Menu returned for its annual celebration, bringing together the visionary chefs, standout dishes, major food trends, and cocktail crazes that food enthusiasts have been reading, eating, and drinking all year long. Produced in partnership with Cathay Pacific, this year’s iteration of the flagship event proved to be an unforgettable extravaganza, transforming a legendary Old Hollywood haunt into a winding wonderland of high-end bites, innovative drinks, and unmatched community energy.
Choosing the venue was half the magic. The Tam O’Shanter, famously known as Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant, offers an interior aesthetic that falls squarely between a 19th-century Scottish tavern and a whimsical storybook cottage straight out of Snow White’s house. Inside these storied walls, the event organizers assembled a staggering lineup of local favorites and out-of-town heavyweights. The roster included beloved culinary institutions and rising stars alike, featuring Holbox, Thunderbolt, Night on Earth, Pasjoli, Café Telegrama, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Quarter Sheets, Ji Rong Peking Duck, and Sumibiyakitori Kidori from Arcadia. To elevate the experience even further, the event welcomed flown-in culinary stars from across the country, such as the team behind New York City hot spot Dean’s and acclaimed chef Gregory Gourdet of Portland’s renowned restaurant Kann. Food industry heavyweights and enthusiastic locals alike agreed that there had truly never been a food party quite like this in Los Angeles.
As attendees stepped past the threshold, they immediately entered a winding wonderland of imaginative food creations designed to overwhelm the senses in the best possible way. The visual and culinary spectacles were everywhere you looked. Pastry chef Hannah Ziskin of Quarter Sheets commanded attention with a 40-foot-long, snaking sheet cake that stretched through the space, while a tabletop-sized stargazy pie from Dean’s drew gasps and cell phone cameras from passing crowds. The rich, savory aroma of juicy roast meat filled the air as the culinary team at Ji Rong expertly carved Peking duck. Amidst the bustling crowd, a Cathay Pacific flight attendant circulated seamlessly, passing out crisp flutes of champagne to thirsty guests.
Moving deeper into the historic venue, seafood lovers found themselves slurping fresh scallops straight from the shell at Holbox’s counter, which showcased the restaurant’s celebrated award-winning Mexican seafood. Meanwhile, the French-American bistro Pasjoli put a brilliant spin on tradition by serving classic French dip sandwiches smothered in a delectable poivre sauce straight from Lawry’s The Prime Rib’s iconic, heavy-duty carving carts. Just steps away, the legendary Lawry’s team was hard at work preparing their famous spinning salad completely to order, maintaining the timeless theatricality that has made the restaurant a Los Angeles icon for generations.
At the bar, the creative minds behind Thunderbolt and Night on Earth crafted an ambitious drink menu that brought Punch’s top cocktail trends of the year to vivid life. Guests could sample forward-thinking libations centered around banana, highlighted by a rich banana-miso carajillo, or celebrate the nostalgic return of Hpnotiq through a vibrant, neon passion-fruit refresher. For traditionalists and trend-followers alike, tiny martinis—offered in both classic variations and the popular Gilda style—flowed continuously. Overhead, hanging near the bustling game room, loomed a truly conceptual ice sculpture that was intricately embedded with whole fish, radishes, beets, and preserved food tins, serving as a stunning artistic centerpiece for the evening.
Venturing out onto the patio, guests discovered a pop-up outdoor diner hosted by Café Telegrama, where the kitchen served both sweet and savory versions of its cult-favorite ricotta pancakes. Just a few steps away, a lively line snaked toward the Majestic photobooth, allowing attendees to capture frame-worthy memories of their evening out. Conversation flowed effortlessly in the cozy Cathay Pacific outdoor lounge, where guests relaxed while enjoying authentic yakitori courtesy of Sumibiyakitori Kidori. Those who lingered in the courtyard were periodically rewarded with unexpected delights, such as passed salt bread from Out of Ordi stuffed with fillings like sweet corn or velvety ube cream. For anyone looking to cool off from the California warmth or simply indulge a fierce sweet tooth, founder Molly Baz was on hand personally serving her signature Mister’s ice-cream sandwiches, featuring rich ice cream topped with a sweet-salty, crunchy brittle.
As the evening wound down and attendees prepared to head back into the real world, no one left empty-handed. Every guest was treated to a parting gift bag packed with a curated selection of gourmet treats from some of Eater’s favorite partner brands. The takeaway bags included beloved Luxardo maraschino cherries, Unreal’s better-for-you chocolate candies, Giadzy’s celebrity-chef-approved gluten-free pasta, and packs of noodles from Fly By Jing paired with their cult-favorite chile crisp and rich sauces. Additionally, guests received a coupon to pick up their favorite flavor of Molly Baz’s signature mayo, Ayoh, with the dill pickle variety standing out as an early favorite among the crowd.
The success of this year’s gathering leaves many wondering just how grand and ambitious the celebration will become when it returns. For those eager to secure a spot at future events, downloading the Eater app and setting up a user profile remains the best way to gain early access when tickets eventually go on sale. Attendees who joined the festivities are encouraged to complete the official experience survey online, providing feedback on the event while entering for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
