Tam O'Shanter Turns 90
Tam O'Shanter, the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles operated by the same family in the same location, kicks off its milestone 90th anniversary this Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight with a party that includes a prime rib dinner for $19.22 and $0.90 desserts.
The prime rib dinner includes a Tam salad and an eight-ounce cut of roasted prime rib of beef served with mashed potatoes and gravy, Yorkshire pudding, freshly prepared horseradish, and creamed spinach.
Tam O'Shanter's is located on Los Feliz Boulevard in Atwater Village, and a display of 1929 Model A vehicles and 1920s Tin Pan Alley music serve as the backdrop for the event.
Founded by Lawrence L. Frank and Water Van de Kamp in June 1922, The Tam O'Shanter remains owned and operated by the Frank and Van de Kamp families, who are also the dining dynasty behind the Van de Kamp's bakery and coffee shop chain and Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurants.
The star-studded supper includes three generations of Frank and Van de Kamp family members, including former California Attorney General John Van de Kamp, and actors Beverly D'Angelo, Erin Murphy, Kate Linder, and Barbara Van Orden.
Featuring the storybook-style architecture of Hollywood set designer Harry Oliver, The Tam was named after the famous Robert Burns poem and decorated throughout with Scottish décor. During the 1920s, The Tam was a popular hangout for Walt Disney, Rudolph Valentino, Fatty Arbuckle, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Theda Bara, and Gloria Swanson.
After the June 22 event, 90th anniversary food specials include a revival of classic dishes from past decades, such as country-style chicken from the 1920s, Scotch waffles and planked hamburger steak from the 1930s, baked chicken pie from the 1940s, prime rib steak Delmonico from the 1950s, and Cock of the North from the 1960s.