Shula’s 347

Restaurant Review

SHULA’S 347 Sheraton Gateway Hotel 6101 Century Boulevard Los Angeles 642-4820 Shula’s 347’Hall of Fame football coach Don Shula’s first west coast restaurant’opened recently at the newly renovated Sheraton Gateway Hotel just outside of LAX. Los Angeles-based Kor Hotel Group, renowned for its boutique hotel image, has put $14 million into the 802-room hotel. The new Shula’s 347 restaurant fits right into the new sophisticated urban design of the hotel. Shula owns two dozen successful steak houses located primarily in the South and the East. Part of Coach Shula’s restaurant success can be attributed to the custom center cuts of certified Angus beef and the particular aging process. I can attest that this is a terrific piece of beef. Furthermore, the restaurant is most attractive with black ebony furnishings and red faux ostrich print embossed leather, along with plasma televisions and state-of-the-art audio/video system. A starter sampler gave us a taste of both east and west with Chinese five spice seared ahi tuna served with a bit of avocado and an excellent cilantro-ginger vinaigrette; a Maryland-style crab cake with a fine cajun remoulade; and barbecued shrimp wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon and stuffed with basil. Each was well executed and full of flavor. Filet mignon with sauteed mixed peppers and button mushrooms was superb. Not only was the beef delicious, but the vegetables were flavorful and perfectly cooked. These same vegetables accompany all of the steaks from the 10-ounce filet mignon, to the 16-ounce bone-in cowboy steak, or 16-ounce New York strip steak, or the 24-ounce slow roasted prime rib. For non-beef lovers, there is a seared ahi tuna steak, or French cut chicken breast, as well as an Australian lobster tail. A true vegetarian will find Mediterranean linguine with tomatoes, basil, garlic, kalamata olives, capers, olive oil and crispy fried feta cheese. We tried two of the sides; tasty creamed spinach and smashed potatoes (all of which are whimsically priced at $3.47). Other sides include roasted vegetables, cole slaw, jumbo baked potato, French fries and more. Freshly made coffee and an apple cobbler made a fine finish to our dinner. This is a first-rate destination restaurant despite being near the airport. Because this is still a hotel restaurant, you may get a hickory burger, chicken or fish sandwich, or French dip composed of thinly sliced prime rib on a toasted ciabatta roll, at dinner time, along with the dozen entree listings. Prices are just as you would expect. Starters are $9 to $14, salads are $8, and entrees start at $17 for the linguine; the chicken breast is $19, and steaks range from $29 to $34. Desserts are $8. Wine prices are moderate and a number are served by the glass. Shula’s 347 is so named as a tribute to Coach Shula’s 347 game-winning record. Naturally, the restaurant bar features a special variety of pre-game and post game cocktails. The restaurant opens daily at 11:30 a.m. and serves until 10 p.m. except on Friday and Saturday when they remain open until 11 p.m. Parking is validated for diners.