Letting off a sigh that signalled both contentment and resignation, this was me, right after I had taken a first bite of my burger at The Pelican. The bay front restaurant has been around for what seems like ages now, its menu recently making transition from being full fledged seafood focused to featuring a pleasant interweave of surf and turf. The list reads easy and offers nothing out of the ordinary as far as your regular mid-tier restaurant would go - however, what lies simmering below the seemingly tranquil surface is a conglomerate of stellar staples. Hear me out.
I find my unerring way back into my comfort zone, settling for the Pelican Burger ($35) and adding on a starter and a side after mild obligation sets in. No thanks to the lovely manager whose glib tongue elevated the status of the humble Old Fashioned Crab Cakes ($24). Arriving first at the the table, they did not disappoint. Jumbo lump Sri Lankan Crab meat is rounded with barely any other fillers; meaning that these mounds barely held together when targeted by the fork, crumbling at the slightest touch to reveal glorified sweet chunks that worked harmoniously with the homemade remoulade. To accompany that, we indulged in the Blue Cheese Creamed Spinach($14). Ominous chunks of funky blue cheese robs the lascivious gaze, sautéed spinach allows for the cloak of salacious cream mixture to adhere to it, coating it like a warm hug. Though the sheer amount of cream that had pooled in the serving vessel was a bit disconcerting, it did however serve as an excellent dip to the barrage plump cooked prawns that were dished out later.
I can hardly contain my excitement.
The Oyster and Prawn Platter ($89) is swoon-worthy in all its rights. Hailing from Ireland, these babies were sweet and plump, ending with just a teensie presence of salinity to engage the red wine vinaigrette it comes with. Those prawns, having gone through shock treatment after being boiled retained a delightful spring in its step. Perfect eaten on its own but even better with the obligatory cocktail sauce dip.
Mains draw a clear line between land and sea, each displaying an enchanting display of staples dotted with bits of ingenuity. Ocean side, we would recommend the Chilli Crab Linguine ($32) and the Snapper Pie ($40). Linguine tossed in homemade chilli crab sauce, none of that bottled nonsense carrying the perfect nuances of sweet and spicy in its wake. Perfect in juxtaposition to the sweet whispers of crab meat. The Snapper Pie on the other hand, is a dish that I would recommend for sharing. The unveiling of its ornately carved crisp pastry roof leading to a bevy of excited giggles as the server proceeded to remove the truffle butter basted roof with surgical procedure. He sets it aside for dipping into the luxurious cream sauce later. Trust me, it's worth the calories. Flaky snapper, asparagus and mushrooms form a solid stew that's allows for the generous chunks of fish to dominate.
From the land, there is The Pelican Burger ($35) which is a showstopper. One of the best burgers I've had recently; chopped steak patty, smoked ketchup and bacon warrants those silent moments of utter reverence. The right balance of sweetness and smokiness from the sauce meets salty bacon strips and patty, seasoned with so much finesse that it does a proper curtsey in your mouth. The buns should not be dismissed as calefare, providing just enough resistance to the juiced up amalgamation - I especially adore the addition of seeds and toasted rim which contributed to the textbook of textures in this epic package.
The NY strip steak ($48) also part of the 'land' menu is juicy and lean, with a nice smacking of char from time over the strongest flames.
Immaculate. If you think The Pelican is only known for their seafood... think again.
Then there was the Burnt Butter Banana Cake which as humble as it sounds was the pinnacle of the whole meal. First of all, it feeds the illusion. Here a golden block of soft moist cake is served alongside a hefty scoop of hokey pokey ice cream (and by hefty, I mean larger than golf ball size, the guys here don't stinge) drizzled with warm butterscotch sauce. It's not only eye candy, this sweet treat is therapeutic even, and well capable of converting non sweet lovers into banana cake devouring monsters.
I've tasted two different renditions of the Banana cake in my last two visits (read here); this new rendition being more superior than the former. And since the only constant in life is change, make sure to get there quickly to experience The Pelican of 2017 end, before it vanishes, trailing fairy dust in its wake.
The Pelican
1 Fullerton Road
#01-01
One Fullerton
S(049213)
t: 6438 0400
Operating Hours:
Mon - Sat: 12 - 3pm; 6pm - 11 30pm
Sun: 12 - 3pm; 6pm - 10pm
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