Where were you last weekend? If you live in Los Angeles, or if you are the kind of dedicated culinary traveler willing to cross state lines for a truly exceptional food party, the place to be was the historic Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village. This was the setting for Eater Off Menu 2026, the publication’s annual celebration of the chefs, trailblazing dishes, evolving food trends, and cocktail crazes that have dominated food culture over the past year. Produced in partnership with Cathay Pacific, the event brought together an extraordinary roster of local luminaries, out-of-town sensations, and passionate food lovers for a night of indulgence that redefined the boundaries of a culinary festival.
The venue itself provided a backdrop that could not be replicated anywhere else. The Tam O’Shanter, a legendary Old Hollywood haunt, features an interior aesthetic that falls squarely between a 19th-century Scottish tavern and a storybook cottage reminiscent of Snow White’s house. As Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant, the space is steeped in local lore and architectural charm. Transforming this historic institution into a winding wonderland of contemporary food creations required a visionary approach, and the results lived up to the legendary venue. Attendees stepped inside to find an environment buzzing with energy, where the rich history of Los Angeles dining collided directly with the cutting edge of modern gastronomy.
This year’s event assembled what can only be described as an all-star lineup of Eater favorites and culinary trailblazers. Local icons such as Holbox, Thunderbolt, Night on Earth, Pasjoli, Café Telegrama, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Quarter Sheets, Ji Rong, and Kidori stood shoulder-to-shoulder with visiting talent. The festival even featured special collaborations, including Molly Baz for Mister’s ice cream sandwiches. Furthermore, the event drew flown-in out-of-towners, including prominent New York City hotspot Dean’s and Chef Gregory Gourdet of Portland’s celebrated restaurant Kann. The convergence of such distinct culinary voices created a party atmosphere unlike anything the local food scene had experienced before.
Upon entering, guests were immediately enveloped by a sensory explosion of sights, sounds, and aromas. The layout of the venue encouraged exploration, leading visitors through a winding wonderland of inventive food creations. One of the most striking visual spectacles was a 40-foot-long, snaking sheet cake crafted by pastry chef Hannah Ziskin of Quarter Sheets, which spanned an impressive distance and drew crowds eager for a slice of the sweet architecture. Nearby, a tabletop-sized stargazy pie from Dean’s offered an eye-popping nod to traditional British pub fare with a dramatic modern twist.
The air throughout the venue was thick with the rich, savory aromas of roasting meats. Ji Rong commanded attention as chefs expertly carved Peking duck, while Cathay Pacific flight attendants circulated through the crowd, passing out crisp flutes of champagne to keep the celebratory mood elevated. Inside the vibrant Holbox counter space, guests enthusiastically slurped fresh scallops straight from the shell, celebrating the acclaimed restaurant’s mastery of Mexican seafood. Not far away, the culinary worlds blended seamlessly as Pasjoli served French dip sandwiches smothered in a delectable poivre sauce straight from Lawry’s The Prime Rib’s iconic carving carts, while Lawry’s itself prepared its famous spinning salad to order right in front of eager diners.
Beverage culture played an equally vital role in the evening’s festivities, thanks to a thoughtful collaboration at the bar. Thunderbolt and Night on Earth teamed up to design a drink menu that exemplified the top cocktail trends of the year as highlighted by Punch. The beverage offerings embraced bold flavors and playful nostalgia, featuring innovations like a banana-miso carajillo that showcased the rising popularity of banana-forward profiles. Nostalgia also took center stage with the return of Hpnotiq, reimagined in a neon passion fruit refresher that lit up the room. For those who preferred classic profiles, a selection of tiny martinis, ranging from traditional builds to savory Gilda-garnished variations, kept glass-clinking continuous. Overhead, looming above the game room, was a truly conceptual ice sculpture embedded with fish, radishes, beets, and tinned delicacies, serving as a striking conversation piece for art and food enthusiasts alike.
Moving out to the patio, the atmosphere shifted to an energetic outdoor marketplace. Café Telegrama established a pop-up outdoor diner where they served both sweet and savory versions of their cult-favorite ricotta pancakes, drawing steady lines of devoted fans. Just a few steps away, guests queued up at the Majestic photobooth to capture memories of the night, while lively chatter drifted over from the cozy Cathay Pacific outdoor lounge. In this relaxed space, visitors enjoyed skewers of expertly prepared yakitori from Arcadia’s Sumibiyakitori Kidori. Those who lingered long enough were rewarded with a pleasant surprise: passed salt bread from Out of Ordi, stuffed with fillings of sweet corn or ube cream. To combat the warm evening air and satisfy dessert cravings, guests gravitated toward the Mister’s ice cream sandwich station, where founder Molly Baz herself handed out frozen treats finished with a sweet-salty crunchy brittle.
As the evening drew to a close, attendees were sent home with a tangible reminder of the celebration. Every guest departed with a heavily packed gift bag filled with curated products from some of Eater’s most beloved partner brands. The takeaways included Luxardo’s famous maraschino cherries, Unreal’s better-for-you chocolate candies, and Giadzy’s chef-approved gluten-free pasta. Also included were packages of Fly By Jing’s noodles, seasoned with the brand’s cult-favorite chile crisp and sumptuous sauces, along with a coupon to pick up a jar of Molly Baz’s signature Ayoh mayo, with the dill pickle variety standing out as a crowd favorite.
The success of Eater Off Menu 2026 has already raised questions about what the publication and its partners will conjure up for the next installment. Food enthusiasts looking to secure a spot at future iterations are encouraged to download the Eater app and establish a profile to gain early access to ticketing and event announcements. Attendees who experienced the celebration firsthand are also invited to share their feedback through a dedicated experience survey, which offers participants a chance to win a $100 gift card as a token of appreciation for joining the festivities.
