Restaurant

Jeannine Hoverson of Burbank was honored with a retirement party Thursday after serving as a waitress for 44 years at the Tam O'Shanter Inn the Tudor-style restaurant on Los Feliz Boulevard in Los Angeles. "I've fed the multitude long enough," she said. "It's time to move down the highway of life." She was 25 in 1961 when she started working at the restaurant, which is owned by Lawry's. "Lawry's is a great family-owned company and the Tam is a great place to work," she said.

Jackson Bell The Outback Steakhouse at the Empire Center, open less than a year-and-a-half, is already outpacing every other franchise in the corporation. With $4.7 million generated in 2002 and its weekly intake about $117,000, the Australian-themed restaurant is the top seller of all the 657 Outback Steakhouses, nationally and internationally. Sixto Rodriguez, one of the restaurant's managers, said the most crucial reason for such success is its high community visibility.

Smoke House celebrates 63 years of serving food The Smoke House restaurant in Burbank is celebrating its 63rd anniversary in October. The eatery opened its doors in 1946 and is famous for its garlic cheese bread and other menu items. The Smoke House is considered a landmark and a popular spot for the Hollywood Studio crowd. The restaurant will thank all its loyal guests by offering a $19.46 menu that includes 12 classic entrees. On Tuesday and Oct. 14, the restaurant will offer its lunch and dinner menu at 50% off, and its award-winning Sunday Brunch will be priced $19.46 all month.

The fine, delicate flavors of Mediterranean and Persian cuisine are the focus at Cafe Elegante in Burbank. Chef Varouj Greg Gharibian owns the restaurant, which guarantees a flavorful and exciting menu. For Gharibian, the restaurant's name captures its essence: fine dining, all in a relaxed, elegant environment. Serving both lunch and dinner seven days a week, Cafe Elegante's menu offers delicately marinated filet mignon, chicken, lamb, pork, and mahi mahi.

The new Minx restaurant and nightclub opened in Glendale last week with glittering fanfare. Waiters toted platters of hors d'oeuvres while heart-pounding dance music blared over the chit-chat of the guests decked out in their finest garb. Glendale's Zoning Administrator Edith Fuentes brought her friends Monet Lu, of Studio City; Diva Salano, of Glendale; Chary Dumon, of Los Angeles; Elinor Benitez, of Los Angeles; and Chris Lu, of North Hills.

Molly Shore MAGNOLIA PARK -- When Kathryn and Edward "Barney" Matheson opened Full O' Life Foods in 1959, the couple was well ahead of the curve on health food trends. Forty-two years later, their pioneering efforts in nutrition have become the standard for many people who live and eat healthy. Before health food chain markets became popular, customers arrived at Full O' Life from all over the San Fernando Valley, even as far away as Thousand Oaks, recalled 80-year-old Kathryn Matheson, the family matriarch who oversees the daily operation of the business since Barney's death 10 years ago. The market and restaurant, 2515 W. Magnolia Blvd.

Irma Lemus MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- It's a typical story of the American dream, but with an Italian twist. Piero Biondi was 17 when his family left Italy for the United States in search of a better life. He found one, but it hasn't always been easy. 'I didn't know the language, so the only job I could get was washing dishes, and from that I moved up," said Biondi, who lived in Washington, D.C., before moving to Southern California in 1962. For the past 38 years, Biondi has run Piero's Seafood House on Olive Avenue.

Burbank, known mostly for its entertainment studios and the airport, is also home to a bundle of intriguing restaurants. On Friday nights, one restaurant in particular transforms from your typical ?home away from home? family restaurant into a swank, hip, fun and cool dining experience for those looking to start their weekend right. From 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Theresa?s Family Restaurant on West Olive Avenue plays host to incomparable pianist Rob Correll. The evening is suited for all ages or anyone who enjoys good music, good food and good people.

DeBell restaurant is definitely up to par My husband and I recently discovered what must be the best-kept secret in Burbank: the clubhouse restaurant at DeBell Golf Course (“DeBell opens house,” Jan. 7). We are not golfers, but we decided to drive up to the top of Walnut to see the new clubhouse building. While we were there, we stopped to eat in the restaurant and were totally surprised by the gourmet meal we enjoyed for regular coffee shop prices. It was a totally unexpected but very much appreciated surprise.

There has been contention — and there may be more in the coming months — over whether Burbank’s recent $9.4-million upgrade of the DeBell Golf Club was worth it during tough economic times. Whether the project, which the City Council greenlighted in 2007, was worth it financially may be up to debate, but one thing is certain: The remodeled Craftsman-style DeBell clubhouse is a marked improvement. What was once a windowless, dark, dingy clubhouse circled by several dozen sloppily parked golf carts is now a handsome, modern structure featuring a slick mix of glass, rock and wood.