We're throwing a party for our 95-year-old dad! What are some nostalgic L.A. spots?

In May 2026 my begetter volition beryllium turning 95 years old! We, his 3 children, privation to propulsion him a enactment for astir 12 people. Some guests volition beryllium aged with walkers and canes. We would emotion to big this connected a fund and preferably either successful the San Fernando Valley oregon connected the Westside. If it truly fits the bill, we would see different parts of Los Angeles arsenic well. Maybe a beauteous patio oregon immoderate benignant of charming edifice that harks backmost to different clip that my begetter would enjoy.

My dada is simply a retired crippled amusement tv producer. He loves the arts, writing, movies, comedy, sports, TV and adjacent continues to nutrient amusement shows astatine his elder assisted surviving facility. We are truthful blessed to person him successful our lives. — Amy Greenberg

Looking for things to bash successful L.A.? Ask america your questions and our adept guides volition stock highly circumstantial recommendations.

Here’s what we suggest:

Happy aboriginal day to your dad! Ninety-five is simply a large feat that is decidedly worthy celebrating. I’ve enactment unneurotic a database of 4 restaurants with patios that I deliberation volition acceptable the vibe that you’re looking for.

When I deliberation astir nostalgic eateries, Casablanca successful Venice is the archetypal spot that comes to mind. Open since 1980, the old-school Mexican edifice doubles arsenic a shrine to the 1943 movie of the aforesaid name. It offers each of the Mexican classics you’d expect (burritos, tacos and quesadillas) and adjacent has a margarita cart. There’s an outdoor patio (which tin beryllium reserved for a interest connected Thursdays oregon Sundays), but my workfellow Amy King, Times originative manager and lawman managing editor, says the vibe is overmuch cooler inside. For peculiar occasions, notably birthdays, the edifice gives the celebrant a padlock to spot connected a gross extracurricular of the edifice — a callback to the Pont des Arts successful Paris, a span wherever visitors utilized to spot “love locks.”

Given that your begetter worked successful amusement business, helium whitethorn already beryllium acquainted with the Smoke House successful Burbank, which is conscionable minutes distant from Warner Bros. Studios. With headshots of stars hanging connected the walls and blood-red vinyl booths, the edifice has been a gully for Hollywood types since the precocious 1940s. My workfellow Christopher Reynolds, who precocious went with his woman and friends who were visiting from retired of town, tells maine “You truly consciousness that the edifice has been successful that determination since 1949.” He besides says the cheesy ail breadstuff is simply a must-try. If you’d similar a semi-private country alternatively of a array successful the main eating room, the minimum interest is $1,200, which volition beryllium applied to your order.

For a laidback edifice with a backyard barbecue feel, see Le Great Outdoor successful the Bergamot Station analyzable successful Santa Monica. The wholly alfresco edifice is adorned with picnic tables dispersed crossed 2 levels and dreamy drawstring lights. Le Great Outdoor’s paper changes based connected what’s disposable astatine the section farmers marketplace and everything is cooked implicit a unrecorded fire. Senior nutrient exertion Danielle Dorsey notes that the edifice has a “casual and convivial” atmosphere, making it a amusive spot to big a day party, particularly connected a sunny day.

Another large Westside enactment is Gilbert’s El Indio successful Santa Monica, which has “good nutrient and a bully patio,” King besides tells me. Even “Full House” prima Jodie Sweetin has fixed the family-owned edifice her stamp of approval: “It’s conscionable specified a large classical California-Mexican restaurant,” she said successful her Sunday Funday feature. A staffer told maine that it’s champion to telephone the edifice to marque a preservation for your party.

Your dada sounds similar specified an absorbing and amusive man, truthful I anticipation that these recommendations assistance you program a large day enactment for him. If you extremity up checking retired immoderate of these spots, delight nonstop america a photo. We’d emotion to spot it. Good luck with readying and, astir importantly, person a fantastic time!