In May 2026 my father will be 95 years old! We, your three children, want to organize a party for about 12 people. Some guests will be seniors with walkers and canes. We would love to host this on a budget and preferably in the San Fernando Valley or on the west side. If it really fits, we would consider other parts of Los Angeles as well. Maybe a beautiful patio or some kind of charming restaurant that listen Back to another moment my father would enjoy.
My dad is a retired TV game show producer. He loves the arts, writing, film, comedy, sports, television, and even continues to produce entertainment programs at his senior assisted living facility. We are very blessed to have him in our lives. — Amy Greenberg
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Happy early birthday to your dad! Ninety-five is a significant feat that is definitely worth celebrating. I've put together a list of four restaurants with patios that I think will fit the vibe you're looking for.
When I think of nostalgic restaurants, Casablanca in Venice is the first place that comes to mind. Open since 1980, this old-school Mexican restaurant also serves as a shrine to the 1943 film of the same name. It offers all the Mexican classics you'd expect (burritos, tacos, and quesadillas) and even has a margarita cart. There's an outdoor patio (which can be reserved for a fee on Thursdays or Sundays), but my colleague Amy King, creative director and deputy editor of the Times, says the atmosphere is much cooler inside. For special occasions, particularly birthdays, the restaurant gives the celebrant a padlock to place on a door outside the restaurant, a reference to Paris's Pont des Arts, a bridge where visitors used to place “love locks.”
Since your father worked in show business, you may already be familiar with the Smoke House in Burbank, which is just a few minutes from Warner Bros. Studios. With pictures of stars hanging on the walls and blood-red vinyl booths, the restaurant has been a draw for Hollywood types since the late 1940s. My colleague Christopher Reynolds, who recently went with his wife and friends visiting from out of town, tells me, “You really feel like the restaurant has been in that location since 1949.” He also says you have to try the garlic and cheese bread. If you prefer a semi-private room instead of a table in the main dining room, the minimum fee is $1,200, which will be applied to your order.
For a laid-back restaurant with a backyard barbecue atmosphere, consider Le Great Outdoor at the Bergamot Station complex in Santa Monica. The completely open-air restaurant is adorned with picnic tables spread over two levels and dreamy lighting. Le Great Outdoor's menu changes based on what's available at the local farmers market and everything is cooked over a live fire. Senior food editor Danielle Dorsey notes that the restaurant has a “casual and friendly” atmosphere, making it a fun place to host a birthday party, especially on a sunny day.
Another great option on the west side is Gilbert's El Indio in Santa Monica, which has “good food and a nice patio,” King also tells me. Even “Three by Three” star Jodie Sweetin has given her seal of approval to the family restaurant: “It's a great classic Californian-Mexican restaurant,” she said in her Sunday Funday article. A staff member told me that it is best to call the restaurant to make a reservation for your party.
Your dad seems like a very interesting and fun man, so I hope these recommendations help you plan a great birthday party for him. If you end up visiting any of these places, send us a photo. We would love to see it. Good luck with your planning and, most importantly, have a great time!
