Robert Burn's Night

After our trip to Scotland in September, Patrick has been dying to eat some more haggis. He searched for places in LA that have it on their menu and came across the Robert Burn's night celebration at the Tam O'Shanter. Still feeling rough from the flu, we dragged ourselves out for some haggis, whiskey and hopefully a kilt or two. Unfortunately, we were only to be disappointed by the lack of haggis. When we were seated, they brought us some lovely bread to the table and what can only be described as gruel. I'm not sure if it was a case of not being able to get hold of the real deal or if it was too outlandish for the American palate, but this was far from the traditional haggis I'm used to. Dry, unseasoned mince is all I can say. We weren't put off though, and when I saw yorkshire pudding on the menu I clapped hard with excitement like a demented seal. I opted for the "English cut" roast beef dinner. The beef was thinly sliced, tender and absolutely delicious. The mash potato was smooth and creamy and the yorkshire pudding was as you would find back home. They brought us two options of horseradish: one which was a mild creamed version and the other, a much stronger 'hit you between the eyes and the crook of the nose' punch. Coming from England, the sharper the better in my opinion (and watering eyes).

The organisers went to a really great effort to celebrate the memory of the poet Robert Burns. They had bagpipes, poem readings, the singing of Auld Lang Syne and a ceremony to address the (not so real) haggis.

For a traditional roast beef dinner, an open fire and a decent pint, we'll definitely be going back!