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Revitalizing a Hollywood Legend: The Tam O'Shanter Inn
Profile
The Tam O'Shanter is the oldest continuously operated family restaurant in Los Angeles, with eight decades of fine dining excellence. Once frequented by Hollywood celebrities such as Mary Pickford, John Wayne, and Walt Disney, the Tam, as it is called, is a true institution. The restaurant is best known for its warm and welcoming service and hearty menu, with an emphasis on Prime Rib.
Challenge
After eight decades of operation, the Tam was in need of evolution. While many of the older clientele were satisfied with the existing menu, some of the newer customers were looking for more contemporary menu options as well as lighter fare for lunch and dinner. With an average tenure in the kitchen of 16 years, the restaurant had been emphasizing consistency, at the expense of new ideas.
Solution
The Culinary Edge was brought on to bring the Tam's menu into the new millennium. First, the team conducted a thorough culinary assessment to provide a clear understanding of the Tam's value proposition and culinary style. After identifying specific opportunities in the menu, The Culinary Edge brainstormed new dinner and lunch choices, and developed them in their test kitchen in San Francisco . Next, menu options that were deemed a good fit for the rich culinary experience of the Tam were prepared in a series of tastings for the management team. The Culinary Edge then moved forward with the approved items, rescaling recipes, developing operations guidelines, and implementing the new menus with hands-on training and supervision throughout the week of the new menu launch.
Results
The redesigned menu reflects a successful integration of the Tam's history and traditions with a contemporary and satisfying dining experience for both the current and future clientele.