Tam O'Shanter

Review summary

1. M

   Monica

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   For almost 25 years we’ve come here in December to celebrate the holidays. The decor is still lovely and the carolers are great, but sadly the food is very inconsistent. Tonight’s prime rib was tough and overdone, the creamed corn was rubbery, and the normally delicious sourdough bread was stale. The worst was that the amazing chocolate soufflé has been removed (yet again!) from the menu. These days we have to make a 160+ mile round trip for this experience, so this is probably the last time. If you’re local and looking for a festive place for a drink and an appetizer, this is the place to go, but if you’re looking for a delicious holiday feast, you’re rolling the dice. Hope this once-great place bounces back.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. S

   Suzanne

   Los Angeles

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   LOVE coming to the Tam during the holidays! The Christmas Carolers are the BEST and so great!!! We Love the tableside singing!!!! Please keep hiring them!!!! Our server was absolutely lovely and attentive and my filet mignon was perfectly cooked to order. Chef’s kiss! Happy Holidays!!!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. G

   Gary

   VIP

   San Diego

   7 reviews

   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Three of us were there for a pre-Christmas lunch. There was all also a table of eight or ten, They were rawkishly loud! None of the three of us at our table could hear anything the other two of us were saying. Another group that was in the same room demanded they be mov d to a different area.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. H

   Holly

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   I love Tam O Shanter for the Holidays. The roaming Carolers are so much fun. I book several dates in December. I was just here last week and brought a friend that enjoyed it. Last night was sad. They sat me in the Outdoor gravel pit. The table was not set like the other tables around. The server didn’t even notice no salt, pepper, silverware on the table. I had to ask for everything. I thought maybe they changed to self serve and I needed to put on an apron to get some food. It was past 6:30 and where were the Carolers? I had bread and salad. I do not like to fill up on bread. Waiting I broke out my phone. So much for dinner and the Carolers. I thought I could have gotten a Turkey dinner for 1/2 the price and not paid for parking and the food would have been hot. The Carolers sang one song and we’re off. Food finally came. Took most of it home. So much for dining and Christmas cheers. Empty.
   

   Tam O'ShanterResponded 2 days ago

   Holly, thank you for sharing your experience, as it helps us improve our service. We strive to create a memorable dining atmosphere for the holidays, and we're concerned about your recent visit. Please know that we take your feedback seriously. For further assistance, kindly reach out by calling the restaurant so we can address your concerns directly. Thank you.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. A

   Anna Lee

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Really just the most festive place to go during the holiday season.
   

   Tam O'ShanterResponded 3 days ago

   Anna, thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to provide a festive experience during the holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming you back to create more joyful memories!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. D

   Denise

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   19 reviews

   3.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was bad always problems and excuses from server.
   

   Tam O'ShanterResponded 3 days ago

   Denise, it's concerning to hear about your service experience, as providing exceptional service is our team's priority. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us enhance our training and service standards. Thank you.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. M

   Myla

   Los Angeles

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Our first time to this iconic 102 year old LA restaurant. We were excited to go for the holidays as they have carolers and it feels like you are transported. We were seated in the garden, which is nice, but not as festive as inside. The service was horrible for the price point. It felt like we were at an upscale Cracker Barrel. They never refilled our waters, the waitress came by maybe twice during our 1.5 hour time. We were largely ignored. She could have made more money as we wanted more drinks and a dessert. By the time the end of the meal came, we just wanted to leave. Lots of screaming kids outside, not their fault, but just a tip if you are looking for another type of ambiance. Maybe I would come back at the bar and have their cocktails (which the one I did get was good) and their homemade bread. The beef brisket was pretty good as well, but the sides could be skipped, one of the worst Yorkshire Puddings I’ve ever had too- cold and hard like a rock. Maybe we will try to go when they aren’t packed, but the original Lawry’s is always good and worth the experience. So we probably won’t for that money.
   

   Tam O'ShanterResponded 3 days ago

   Myla, we value your first visit and appreciate your thoughts. We're dedicated to offering an exceptional experience in both atmosphere and service, and your feedback is invaluable to that goal. Should you wish to discuss service concerns in more detail, please call the restaurant directly. Thank you for sharing your insights, which assist us in continually enhancing our guests' experiences.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. d

   dorothy

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   20 reviews

   4.0

   20 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The Tam is a classic, well loved restaurant. We’ve been coming here for years enjoying the festive holiday atmosphere and old world charm. Today’s holiday lunch was a disappointment, unfortunately. The service was good, our server was cheerful, friendly and attentive. No issues there. The food however, was not good. The Christmas Turkey was dry and not tender, and the portion was surprisingly small. Three thinly sliced less than two inches wide portions that wouldn’t even fit a sandwich. The stuffing was extremely salty and just not good. It was bad. The vegetables on the side were over cooked and looked like they were thrown on the plate instead of carefully prepared on the plate. I was surprised at the low quality of the food and presentation. My lunch partner was pleased with his meal, the brisket plate, which saved our lunch from being a complete disappointment.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. M

   Melissa

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I've always loved this restaurant, and yesterday we anticipated a great experience, but it was not quite the result. The hostess walked us to our table and didnt provide us with any menus. We had to wait about 10-12 minutes for the waitress to come to our table and order our drinks. The wait to get our meals was well over an hour without any kind of notice why it was taking so long. We asked the waitress the ETA on our meals and she never returned to give us an answer. We had to get up and go ask the hostess. We were seated outside which was ok but the heaters were running low on propane and when we asked if they could change the propane tank they never returned. It wasnt one of our good experiences lastnight. The presentation of the food looked like it was quickly put together. I understand it's the busy season but we chose to go there for the great ambiance and quality of food, which lastnight didn't meet our standards.
   

   Tam O'ShanterResponded 4 days ago

   Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, Melissa. It's concerning to hear about the delays you faced, as our team strives to deliver prompt and attentive service. We greatly value your feedback during this busy season and regret that your visit didn’t meet expectations. Guest comfort and dining satisfaction are our priorities. Please contact the restaurant directly so we can address these concerns more personally.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. I

    Isabel

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    While you compromise a little on the food and definitely on the service, nothing beats the carolers at Christmastime. I love our tradition of dinner there during the holidays.
    

    Tam O'ShanterResponded 3 days ago

    Isabel, we're thrilled to hear that our carolers add a special touch to your holiday tradition. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to make each visit memorable. Happy holidays!
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report