Ah, the not-so-humble lobster. This marine crustacean is a real treat for those who can’t get enough of its sweet, succulent flesh. At The Pelican, the lobster takes centre stage in this restaurant’s new back-to-basics special menu.
SINGAPORE (March 20): The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill has long been a firm favourite with the seafood-loving crowd for its good food and fantastic location by the Marina Bay waterfront. But as with any restaurant that has relied on its regulars, sometimes it needs a little pep in its step to draw in new diners, and this is what The Pelican is doing.
New to their menu are two lobster dishes — the Lobster Mac and Cheese, and Spicy Lobster Pasta — Rockefeller Oysters, and Catch of the Day (which changes according to availability), all of which we had the chance to sample recently. We kicked off the meal with Rockefeller Oysters ($10++ per piece, minimum order of three pieces), which are fresh oysters on the half-shell, usually topped with a butter and herb sauce, and breadcrumbs. The Pelican’s version adds a little twist with a butter and spinach sauce, and a topping of parmesan cheese crumbs, which lends itself well to the brininess of fresh oysters.
Now, I am a big fan of mac and cheese, because there is something very comforting about a big heap of carbohydrates smothered in cheese. It’s also ridiculously easy to eat and to cook, and because it has simple ingredients, it’s foolproof and will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The Pelican’s Lobster Mac and Cheese ($88++) is bad news for the lactose-intolerant, but great news for cheese-lovers — rich, creamy, and indulgent, this is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, although the subtle and delicate lobster can be a little overwhelmed by the parmesan.
Perhaps a little kinder on the waistline is the Spicy Lobster Pasta ($68++), which is spaghetti cooked with tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s also got a little bit of a kick to it from the chillies; not enough to blow your face off, but enough for a gentle heat, so that’s good news for those who can’t take the spice. Then, we sampled The Pelican Lobster Burger ($68++). This one is my personal favourite, although it’s not a new item. It comes with a chunky, satisfyingly firm and sweet lobster patty, fries and the usual bit of salad on the side — nothing outstandingly innovative, but it’s just plain good.
Last but not least, the Catch of the Day (price changes according to market prices), which is usually fish, but could be lobster, or any seafood which has been locally sourced. Personally, I have found that some places tend to mask their seafood’s lack of freshness with strong herbs, spices and even chillies — but not The Pelican, which confidently showcases the fish (we had the barramundi) with the simplicity of its presentation, just grilled with lemon and herbs. It was perfectly cooked; moist, tender and flaky as good, fresh fish should be, although do watch out for bones, since the fish comes whole.
After all that rich lobster, surely something is needed to cleanse the palate and cut through all that indulgence — for this, The Pelican offers up their Fruit Sorbet ($18++). There are three flavours on rotation: watermelon, pineapple and coconut. We sampled the pineapple sorbet and it was fantastic. Sweet, slightly tart, and refreshing, my only criticism is only that I wished I had a pint of it, instead of just one serving, although perhaps that’s just my sweet tooth talking. If lobster feels like a bit too much of an indulgence, price-wise, perhaps their Lobster Fiesta promotion could tempt you.
From now until April 30, they’re offering a special price of $128++ for two lobster mains out of a choice of three: the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Spicy Lobster Pasta and The Pelican Lobster Burger. All in all, The Pelican is a great place for a special meal, and weather permitting, great al fresco dining.
