Last weekend, food enthusiasts, culinary professionals, and eager epicureans gathered in Los Angeles for Eater Off Menu, the publication’s annual celebration highlighting the chefs, boundary-pushing dishes, emerging food trends, and cocktail crazes that have defined the culinary conversation throughout the year. Hosted in partnership with Cathay Pacific, this year’s installment transformed one of the city’s most storied historical landmarks into an immersive wonderland of food and drink, offering an experience unlike any previous iteration of the event.
The setting itself provided a heavy dose of historical charm and Hollywood nostalgia. The festivities took place at the legendary Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village, an Old Hollywood haunt whose interior aesthetic bridges the gap between a 19th-century Scottish tavern and a storybook cottage straight out of Snow White’s house. Operating as Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant, the venue offered a uniquely atmospheric backdrop for what organizers described as a one-of-a-kind party celebrating the best of contemporary gastronomy.
Inside the sprawling venue, attendees were greeted by an impressive and diverse lineup of local favorites alongside celebrated out-of-town talent. The roster of participating culinary visionaries included renowned establishments such as Holbox, Thunderbolt, Night on Earth, Pasjoli, Café Telegrama, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Quarter Sheets, Ji Rong, and Kidori. Adding national star power to the mix, the event also welcomed flown-in culinary talents from across the country, including the prominent New York City British pub Dean’s and Chef Gregory Gourdet of Portland’s acclaimed restaurant Kann. Additionally, personality Molly Baz brought her signature flair to the proceedings with Mister’s ice cream sandwiches, rounding out a lineup that organizers noted has rarely, if ever, been replicated under a single roof.
Guests stepping into the venue immediately encountered a winding path of extraordinary culinary creations. Among the most striking visuals was a 40-foot-long, snaking sheet cake crafted by pastry chef Hannah Ziskin of Quarter Sheets, which stretched out alongside a tabletop-sized stargazy pie brought in by Dean’s. The air was rich with the savory aromas of roasting meats as Ji Rong’s team expertly carved Peking duck, while Cathay Pacific flight attendants circulated through the crowd, passing out flutes of chilled champagne.
The culinary exploration continued as guests slurped fresh scallops straight from the shell at Holbox’s counter, showcasing the restaurant’s celebrated Mexican seafood. Nearby, Pasjoli put a creative twist on classics by carving French dip sandwiches smothered in a rich poivre sauce, utilizing Lawry’s The Prime Rib’s iconic carving carts. True to tradition, Lawry’s also prepared its famous spinning salad to order, maintaining the restaurant’s legacy of tableside hospitality.
Beverage programs were equally ambitious, with bars curated by Thunderbolt and Night on Earth to showcase the top drink trends of the year as identified by Punch. Standout offerings included innovative takes on banana, highlighted by a banana-miso carajillo, the nostalgic return of Hpnotiq featured in a neon passion fruit refresher, and an assortment of tiny martinis spanning classic preparations and Gilda styles. Looming over the venue’s game room was a conceptual ice sculpture frozen with fish, radishes, beets, and tinned provisions, drawing admiring glances from the crowd.
Out on the patio, the atmosphere shifted to resemble a bustling retro diner courtesy of Café Telegrama, which served both sweet and savory versions of its cult-favorite ricotta pancakes. Just steps away, guests formed a steady line at the Majestic photobooth to capture memories of the afternoon, while conversation hummed inside the cozy Cathay Pacific outdoor lounge. In that relaxed space, attendees enjoyed freshly grilled yakitori provided by Arcadia’s Sumibiyakitori Kidori. Those who lingered long enough were treated to passed salt bread from Out of Ordi, stuffed with sweet corn or ube cream fillings, before cooling down with an ice cream sandwich handed out personally by Molly Baz, complete with sweet-salty crunchy brittle toppings.
As the event concluded, every attendee departed with a heavily packed gift bag featuring products from some of Eater’s favorite brands. The parting tokens included Luxardo’s popular 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 signature chile crisp and sauces. Guests also received a coupon to redeem a jar of Molly Baz’s signature mayo brand, Ayoh, with the dill pickle variety proving to be an early favorite among the crowd.
Organizers noted that planning for future gatherings is already underway, encouraging food enthusiasts to utilize the Eater app and establish profiles to secure early access to upcoming events. Attendees looking back on the weekend have been invited to complete an experience survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card, ensuring that feedback from the community continues to shape the future of these culinary celebrations.
