Birds Cafe Chicken Pot Pie

Birds Cafe Chicken Pot Pie, originally uploaded by ~db~.

A friend and I had spent a long day together and were both tired and hungry. He suggested Birds Cafe in Hollywood, across from the Scientology Celebrity Centre on Franklin. He told me how had be going for years and was a regular when he lived nearby. As anyone familiar with the area knows, parking is never easy. If you drive by most weeknights, you'll find the block full of people, with several cars waiting in line for the valets. So be prepared.

But it was a weekday afternoon and it took only one trip around the block to find an open spot. The cafe itself was far from empty, but there was no difficulty finding a couple stools at the end of the bar. Michelle, the lovely bartender brought us each a Stella beer and I took a look at the menu. From the name, it shouldn't be a surprise that Birds specializes in chicken. The "Comfort Food" section looked appealing, with chicken meatloaf, chili, and my ultimate choice, chicken pot pie, which comes with a slice of cornbread.

I asked my friend about my order and he said he wouldn't know. "The only thing I ever get is the chicken chili." And indeed that's what he got, with cheese, onions, and the requisite slice of cornbread. Michelle concurred. "That's the only way to get it."

I had been warned that the pot pie isn't always a favorite of those who try it, so I wasn't sure about what to expect. When it arrived, I wasn't disappointed. The crust was very nice. Toasty, flakey and buttery. Breaking it open I saw what may have disappointed others. Rather than a filling, it was more of a soup. Lots of broth with shredded chicken and vegetables floating about. For me, this wasn't a problem because it gave purpose to that excellent slice of cornbread. Indeed, if I had an issue, it was I wished the broth were a bit more rich, with a bit more chicken. That all said, it was exactly what I wanted after a long day on my feet.

As for my friend's chili. Well, I know what I'll be ordering next time.

Chicken pot pie, about $9.