October 12, 2012 03:52 PM
The Big Idea opened Seafood "The Pelican" at One Fullerton. Challenge to Fine Dining.
[Singapore]
By Masaaki Yasuda written on October 12, 2012
Keywords : Oyster Seafood Service The Big Idea The Pelican
The Big Idea is running 12 restaurants with various types like Japanese dining "Kinki", Bistro "Marmalade Pantry", Coffee shop "Oriole Cafe & Bar" and so on. It was founded in this September, merged by three F&B companies. Their new project is "The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill". I visited there at One Fullerton just opened at the end of September.
Signature drink is cocktail made by mixologist.
"The Pelican" has a good location in front of Marina Bay Sands. It was one of The Big Idea group. They have renovated it. At terrace there are colorful sofas attracted in a different spectacle from the restaurants which stands side by side.
Terrace seats
I was surprised by the luxury inside, although the door is wooden and casual one like Fisherman's Wharf. Round wine-red bench seats like once cabaret are located in two lines in the center, and bar counter is in the back side and normal square tables are in front side. It is high-ceiling and the brasswork of the geometrical pattern is embedded there. And lighting is a lamp of a fishing boat. Such a mismatch is unique.
Entrance
Inside
There are many female groups who enjoy cocktails.
Seafood is their major cooking. The Pelican Platter ($99) now has oysters, clams, crab, prawns, steamed whole Maine lobster and marinated conch salad is assigned in the center of the menu. Raw oyster is imported from France and is S$10 per piece. Expensive. When I requested their recommendation, it was "Snapper Pie" of S$36. When hot piecrust was broken, the cream stew of white-fleshed fish appeared. The taste was light-seasoned.
Oyster from France
"Snapper Pie"
Their signature drink is cocktail, such as Mojito which a mixologist, Mr. Richard Gilliam with many award makes. The highlight is a punch made with a huge glass. An order can be placed from five or more persons.
Regrettable one gives its service, having completed so far. I was discouraged by too casual service in spite of a fine dining which changes to S$150 at a dinner. Although I asked for Asahi Beer "Jukusen" of S$16, the server did not show me the bottle beforehand, poured out bottled beer into a glass in his/her hand, and placed on my table. The server said nothing about the beer and quickly went away with the empty bottle. To show the label to customers beforehand should be better.
Furthermore, having been discouraged was a time of placing an order for the white wine from New Zealand, Cluody Bay by glass. In spite of S$ 20, only a glass with wine was brought like cheap house wine. The bottle should be brought to the table and the label should be shown in the face of a customer.
The outlets of The Big Idea are casual and it is not used to service of fine dining. S$150 charge is severe now. Otherwise Singaporean may not ask for such service.
On leaving there, "How was that? " was heard by a manager. I answered "Service was not good". However it did not thrust in deeply. He just said "I'm sorry" only. Since the economic situation is good, it may be not necessary to make repeaters.
