While in southern California last month, I had the pleasure of doing the Tam O’Shanter Walt’s Table 31 Experience! Since I didn’t see many reviews on it, I thought I would post one.
Tam O’Shanter
For those who don’t know, Tam O’Shanter is one of Los Angeles’s oldest family owned restaurants! Having been a local favorite for over 100 years, many famous folks have dined here. In fact, Walt Disney was known to eat here with animators and Imagineers prior the the studios having a commissary! Knowing that many Disney fans eat here, a special Walt’s Table 31 Experience was created! Booking this experience is the only way to guarantee you will be able to eat at the specially designated table that Walt Disney supposedly ate at! Plus, you get to eat from a special menu and get a few special keepsakes.
The Ambiance
The Tam is a Scottish themed steakhouse! If you enjoy themed dining, this is a great place to check out in LA. Just eating here, you know you are surrounded by history. Supposedly, the cottage exterior inspired the Disney animators when working on Snow White’s cottage! Not only that, many TV shows have been filmed here! The restaurant appears in The Office’s series finale and in the show Mad Men!
To add to the atmosphere, the restaurant got napkins from the Disney Company with drawings and notes taken at the Tam. Then, they had those messages and pictures etched into this table! So, it was nice to look at the various images and messages while thinking what discussions may have taken place in this very restaurant! For instance, they claim Imagineers worked on the dinosaurs for the Disneyland Railroad here!
The Food
A restaurant wouldn’t stay in business for 100 years if it wasn’t good! Just for the experience, they have created a special menu! Everyone starts out with Deviled Eggs & Pickled Vegetables plus Bacon-Wrapped Dates! The deviled eggs were good, but pickled vegetables aren’t my thing. I don’t even like regular pickles though. Ha! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the bacon-wrapped dates! I enjoyed the combinations of flavors (salty and sweet).
For my first course, I went with The Tam’s Famous Chili. Even though it had been in the 80’s that day, I had to try it. I would say it’s a pretty good chili. The addition of the cheese and onions took it up a notch. Had I had more stomach space and had it been a cooler day, I would have eaten way more of it.
As for the entree, I had to get the Prime Rib! I’d never had prime rib, so I can’t say that I’m a good judge of such things. However, I will admit that it was good. A little salty, but really tasty. Then again, I typically eat turkey or chicken for my protein. I also enjoyed the accompanying mashed potatoes and creamed corn. The Yorkshire pudding was ok. A little dry, but good.
Lastly, for dessert, I ordered the English Trifle. It reminded me of a fancy strawberry shortcake. It was sweet and a great way to end the meal!
The Experience
Throughout the meal, my waiter shared lots of little tidbits about the restaurant as well as stories about Walt Disney. It was surreal to hear stories that had taken place in this very space. It really felt like I was eating in a place of history.
Additionally, at the end of the meal, my waiter brought me some special keepsakes! I got a Tam pin, a re-print of the special drawing from the Disney Company of the restaurant, and a postcard! I also received a punch card for the experience and was told that the gifts change each time you do it. So, I guess that increases repeatability for the experience.
Is the Tam O’Shanter Walt’s Table 31 Experience worth it?
I booked this meal about 2 months in advance. I prepaid $89 for the meal plus tax and a 20% gratuity. So, it ended up being a really expensive meal. However, I reasoned that it’s more than just a meal. It’s an experience. You are getting to dine at a table in a restaurant filled with history! It’s a unique event that you can’t do anywhere else. Plus, the food is plentiful and tasty! I would say this is worth it for any Disney fan. However, if you aren’t a big Disney fan or don’t enjoy history, you can probably just book a regular table here and enjoy the good food!
Have you ever eaten at Tam O’Shanter? What about Walt’s table?
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