Gary I.
Yelp
Shirley Brasserie in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was the logical place to dine after seeing "La Cage" at the Cinegrill Theatre located just one floor below. Added bonus is 15% off at Shirley when showing tickets attending La Cage.
Given a warm welcome & led to our table by the friendly receptionist. Interior reminds me of 1930's classic Hollywood regency décor on a more spare, tasteful, understated style with a long bar.
Menu is short & concise. French bistro, raw bar, woodfire grill.
0) Ordered bread service with cultured butter & crunchy, warm baguette was a good start.
1) French Onion Soup was traditional beef broth, caramelized onions, slice of french bread, capped by oven melted gooey gruyère cheese.
2) Le Pâté en Croûte: Closer to a Terrine of rough minced pork, pistacchios, mushrooms that was underseasoned, covered by a tasteless, slightly spongy pâte brisée pastry that doesn't have a buttery, yeasty, bready perfume. It looks as though it took much time dedicated to producing a finished, forgetable product.
3) Cassoulet Toulousain is a mélange of Haricot Tarbais beans stewed in a hearty tomato sauce, stock, garlic, thyme, black pepper along with pork. Confit de Canard duck cooked in its own juices & fat was placed on top. Traditional Toulousian sausage was not included.
This is a stick to your ribs, heavy, winter dish that borders on hearty peasant food placed in a warm, cast iron poêle/skillet. It was appropriate for a late November evening.
0-3a) Verzier Syrah suggested by the waitress did the job. Dark fruits, juicy, sweet modulated by acidity & touch of tannins. But lacking vibrancy.
We didn't finish the 2nd baguette so our kind, table helper from Central America wrapped the bread in the shape of a peacock using aluminum foil. He added a pleasant, gentle charm to conclude our late night supper.
Skipped dessert since I wanted to try the Spiked Night Owl Shake at casual 25 Degrees, disguised as a diner, again in the Roosevelt.
Dining at Shirley is pleasing. Décor is posh enough. The food could use a little more fine tuning emphasizing more Umami & tighter grasp of how different ingredients can create more exciting taste contrasts. 3+ stars.