Member Column-Revisiting the Tam O’ Shanter

by Jon Michaels

LW contributor

When I first moved to Los Angeles, almost 40 years ago, some new friends and I went out drinking one Saturday night. And one place we went to was this charming Scottish restaurant. And naturally, it was dark. So, I hardly noticed the century old, thatched roof. But I retained this vague memory that Walt Disney had something to do with the place.

I didn’t even know where we were. At the time, I didn’t know Irvine from Santa Clarita. Basically, all I knew was Santa Monica and Venice. Heck, I’d only been here a couple weeks!

Well, after I hit my 60s, I got a little nostalgic and wanted to revisit some of the places in southern Cal that really affected me. So I soon drove to the Self-Realization Lake Shrine off of Sunset near the ocean where the Yogananda used to live.

That place was thankfully spared by the recent fires. And if you haven’t been there, it’s amazing.

Then, I went back to this landmark Country General Store on Van Nuys. You’d swear you were in Durango, Colorado, not Southern Cal. Then I drove over to Barris’ Kustom Cars in Toluca Lake. And surprisingly there was George Barris himself out-front, hosing down the sidewalk. In case you don’t know, he was the one who designed the Batman car and the Munsters hearse. We spoke for a minute, and he generously allowed me to walk around his showroom even though he hadn’t opened yet.

But for the life of me, I couldn’t remember the name of that Scottish restaurant/bar that I wanted to visit again.

And then I moved to Leisure World. And the second day here, I found myself driving down St. Andrews on the way to the library, and I passed a street called “Tam O’ Shanter.” And I blurted out, “That's it!” And it all came back. That’s the name of the restaurant in Atwater Village with the thatched roof, and the famous Walt Disney table.

Incidentally, a Tam O’ Shanter or “tammie” is the word for the traditional plaid cap with a ball on the top that Scotts often wear, particularly guys who play bagpipes. Tam O’ Shanter was the hero in a classic poem by Robert Burns.

Isn’t that a crazy coincidence? I mean, there aren’t any streets here called “Musso and Frank.” Or “Lawry’s.”

This nostalgia spree I’ve been on is actually one reason I enjoy writing these pieces. To relive and chronicle some of the most memorable moments from my life.

Within a week, I drove up to Tam O’Shanter’s restaurant. It was like a trip to the Scottish Highlands. I got fish ‘n chips for lunch. And it was great.