The Witch's House

I live very close to a neighborhood that was built by a contractor of singular vision.  High-pitched rooflines, lava rock, decorative block, thatched roofs, bamboo thickets - this is a mid-60's explosion of tiki architecture.  Oddly enough, instead of vowel-filled Polynesian names, the streets of this wicky-wacky, tiki-tacky enclave have names with a distinctly brogue-ish lilt to them - Killybrooke, Killarney, Limerick, et al.  Odder still, is the fact that many of the residents, armed only with leaded-glass front doors, contemporary paver walkways, and Cape Cod color schemes, fight a losing battle against the existing architecture; it creates such a dissonance that it almost circles back around into wacky tacky territory...but not quite.

There is nothing I love more than when people truly embrace the beauty of their given architecture, especially when the architectural style is inherently wacky tacky.  There is no better example than the Witch's House in Beverly Hills, CA.

Spooky in the dappled afternoon sunlight, even if my name was
Hansel or Gretel, I don't think I'd be able to resist the charms of this house!

Built in 1921, in the early days of the Storybook craze, the Witch's House was transplanted to its current location in the mid-1930's.  Famously featured in the movie Clueless, the details of the home cut a distinctively-wacky tacky figure among the manicured lawns of lowland Beverly Hills.  Fortunately, the homeowners of this house have embraced the history of the structure.  Lovingly restoring its many brilliant details, they have maintained a true landmark in a city filled with more caricature than earnest historical character.

The ramshackle shingles and shutters, the paint,
and the cartoony, copper, chimney pots give every
indication that there is an actual witch on the premises.

"No Trespassing, Keep Out"
The signs are so charming that they're difficult to obey.

A mini moat, a foot bridge, and an overgrown cottage garden add so much depth and texture.
You see that tree?  Who says we don't have autumn in Southern California?!!?!

The stone walls/pillars are topped with pumpkins of equal character.

At the Witch's House, it is a Happy Halloween every day of the year!

History is a challenging word to apply to a part of the world that is so relatively young; for California, however, the Witch's House is a big part of our history in terms of industry, architecture, and culture.  Boo-ravo to the witch for keeping it so spooky!

"Trick or Treat" (1952)

Do you have any spooky houses in your neighborhood?  Is your house witchy or maybe even haunted?   Does it come alive during the Halloween season?  Here's hoping you have a Happy Halloween!

The Witch's House
516 Walden Dr
Beverly Hills, CA


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: The Tam O'Shanter Inn

It is time that I come to terms with my suppressed, yet abiding, love of themed restaurants.  For many years I have convinced myself that much like lactose (and now gluten) I had a severe theme intolerance.  After visiting the Tam O'Shanter Inn in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, I realized that mine was not an aversion to themes, mine was an aversion to themes done poorly.  The themed restaurants of the 1980's and 90's always seemed too contrived, too plastic, too precious, and too loud.  The Tam O'Shanter Inn (est. 1922) is a beautiful example of a themed restaurant done right and the fairy tale, half-timber, Tudor-revival styling of the exterior gives patrons a delicious hint of what lies inside.

The Tam O'Shanter Inn

While it has endured some cosmetic and structural changes, the integrity of the original concept and design theme is very much intact - praiseworthy in a region where themes come and go (mostly the latter) and where vernacular architecture is quickly torn down or repurposed beyond recognition.  While we secretly think it is kind of awesome, we live in a town where tamales turn into beauty parlors.  Is there no respect for history?!  Well, there is at The Tam O'Shanter; the original family of owner/operators has been serving high tone Hollywood types for over 90 years in the same helpful, hospitable Scottish style.

Given my druthers, I, of course, would prefer the Tam O'Shanter of the 20's
(Source)

Speaking of old-Hollywood, the roster of diners at Tam O'Shanter reads like a "Who's Who" of Hollywood royalty including one of our very favorites, Walt Disney.  The original Disney Studios were located a very short distance from The Tam O'Shanter and became a regular spot for Disney and his team of hungry animators.

Walt Disney, Tam O'Shanter owner Lawrence Frank, and
  Papa Hemingway architect  Harry Oliver.
(Source)

Fortunately, the Tam O'Shanter need not only be a place where the elite meet; plebeians and untalented riffraff of every ilk are welcomed.  Knowing this, we made our way there on a recent adventure day.

No, Mr. Tiny, telephone reservations are not
 necessary for an early lunch.

The hearth situated in the restaurant's entry recalls historic, roadside
taverns and inns that dot the countryside of the British Isles.

Wood-paneled nooks with gracious wingback chairs invite
 hungry guests to stay and chat awhile.

For lunch, the Ale & Sandwich Bar provides fresh, carvery sandwiches and pub food including homemade potato chips and macaroni and cheese.

I was a little too shy to ask for a photo of our server, but she
was clad in an outfit not too dissimilar from the one seen on
a Tam O'Shanter hostess circa 1970.
(Source)

The Tam O'Shanter is a Lawry's restaurant, famous
 for their prime rib and roasted meats of every kind.
Mary ordered her sandwich from one of the master carvers.

Mr. Tiny got the cobb salad - more Hollywood than Edinburgh - but
really quite tasty.

Because it was our first time at the Tam O'Shanter Inn,
 our kilt-clad hostess brought us free dessert!  Knowing I
wouldn't be able to eat any of it, Mary polished it off before I
even had a chance to say, "None for me, thanks."  From what
 I understand, it was delicious...

Sometimes the picture of the food getting its picture
taken is better than the picture of the food itself.

The Scottish theme is evident in every nook and cranny of the Tam O'Shanter's many dining rooms.  Having never been to the British Isles, I can only hope and imagine that, should I get the chance to go, I would be treated to a very similar experience - including the glaring omission of haggis from then menu offferings.  Again, "None for me , thanks."

Given its Scottish - empahasis on the "ish" - provenance and its show business ties, I couldn't help but think of the Scottish number from an under-appreciated Astaire and Rogers musical picture, The Barkleys of Broadway.

"My One and Only Highland Fling" - Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

Feeling fine after a bra bricht  lunch, Mr. Tiny took
part in that oldest of Scottish traditions, lion surfing.

Sadly, we missed last year's 90th anniversary as wonderfully documented by our pal, Patricia Lynn, over at "Lady by Choice."  But if you're ever in the neighborhood and have time to stop and smell the heather, I highly recommend The Tam O'Shanter Inn.  If its Hollywood history (John Wayne ate here) isn't enough to lure you, then come for the theme; I have truly been converted.



The Tam O'Shanter Inn
2980 Los Feliz Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(714)664-0228

www.lawrysonline.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny