Pelican Grill — Restaurant in Newport Beach

I waited almost two months to write this review as I contemplated not writing a review given the critical nature of it. Eventually I decided the owner of this place may be willing to improve and other consumers may benefit from the information shared.

This review is about the visit my family and I made in late June 2021. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, my family and I ate here often. This latest visit, however, was the first time since late 2019. It appears, given the pandemic induced restrictions, the place was closed for quite a long period and had just reopened for indoor dining in May this year.

This latest visit was for a special occasion. The hostess was most gracious in helping my family secured a table in the first row on the patio. This particular aspect is worthy of five stars.

The scenery is one of the reasons for dining here and it certainly does not disappoint. It was quite windy that day so my family wanted to have the curtain drawn down after having been exposed to the wind for close to an hour. Unfortunately, within fifteen minutes we were asked to have the curtain drawn up because other guests who sat further away felt their view was blocked. Being nice people, we did not object but having to sit there with drafty wind while eating was no fun. It would have been better for the management to come up with a solution to meet the request of guests who desire views without subjecting guests who sit at the first row to drafty wind. As such, this aspect warrants two stars.

The place had replaced the menu since the ‘reopening’. Not only has the price gone up by 20 to 30 percent as compared to the pre-pandemic pricing, the quality of the food actually gone down. We ordered a variety of food to share family style. There was not one memorable dish. As much as I want to be generous, I cannot bring myself to give the food more than two stars.

With respect to service, our waiter was not quite up to par for an establishment of this caliber. As a case in point, we had to wait twenty minutes before he came by to take our orders.

With all that being said, I may still come here for the scenery but I will likely go for cocktails only. I will also bring a jacket even in summer and the sun is...

So obviously with its history you expect nothing but the best. Let's go on why it's a 4 not a 5.

Upon parking. I was able to have my car parked right in front with the other fellow exotic family. Already a good experience. Valet was VERY professional. Would expect nothing less at a place like this. Would not be acceptable if it wasn't.

Moving onto the food experience lol.

Upon walking in we were greeted immediately. They checked our table for the view and it was everything I expected. Thank you.

Ordered the special. That day it was a ribeye with mash potatoes, asparagus.

Lobster roll. Pretzel. And ceviche. WHOA let em go on about that.

The ceviche was the star of this whole experience with the food. Marinated perfectly. Amazing fresh taste with perfect amount of lime to cook that fish. I HIGHLY recommend this. It wasn't spicy at all. But it does have jalapeño minced. Just be aware if that isn't your thing.

The steak was cooked absolutely perfect. Medium rare. Didn't even need to ask. They just did it on their own. And what happened? Perfectly good. So here's why it's a 4 though instead of a 5. Steak had absolutely NO seasoning what so ever. Just braised in butter. Not acceptable. Needs at LEAST salt and pepper.

Moving onto the lobster roll. More of a fresh take. No butter ( fail ) another reason for a 4 star. Was Cooked perfectly though and garnished with basic greens. In a strange vinaigrette. You want to know how you always make a lobster roll perfectly and no one Will complain? Butter. And then just leave it alone. Simple with things like this will always win.

The pretzel? WOW perfectly made. Right amount of salt. The cheese sauce? Na not really a cheese sauce. WAY to thick as a roux. Barely tastes any cheese. More like butter flower sauce with a sprinkle of cheese. Do better.

Overall the view and staff makes the experience excellent. When I had been here a few years ago it was the same with the staff. Never been an issue.

Would I return? Without question. Great place for appetizers and...

WORST EXPERIENCE STAY AWAY!! This review is for our waiter, Arrmin, and the general manager, Sebastian French.

I made a reservation here to celebrate my mother’s special birthday. To start, we asked Arrmin if there was a drink that had less alcohol. I guess he found this to be funny, because right after we ordered the drink, he went to another waiter and whispered to him. They both looked at our table and started LAUGHING and SNICKERING at us. When they caught us staring at them, they quickly stopped laughing and awkwardly looked away. NEVER have we felt so DISRESPECTED. And for what? Asking for a drink with less alcohol in it?

Without even drinking the one drink we ordered, we said we wanted the check because we didn’t appreciate being laughed at, to which Arrmin said “Ok,” and gave a nasty look. As we were leaving, we explained to the general manager Sebastian French what had happened. His response? “I’m sure they weren’t laughing at you.” REALLY? Do you think we’re dumb and can’t recognize when we’re being talked about and laughed at?! You would think that after a customer explains having such an awful experience, that there would be some form of apology here. His unapologetic response and the way he handled the situation was absolutely ridiculous and unprofessional. Maybe you should apologize to your customers for having such a horrible experience and train your waiters to have more respect, rather than defending their rude behavior and invalidating a customer’s experience.

He emailed us after, still not to apologize, but rather to prompt us to dine with them again and that he would assist us next time. The email was completely ingenuine and unapologetic, and just seemed like an attempt to prevent us from writing a bad review, as we left the restaurant saying we would.

You would think a restaurant of this nature would have some class. Wrong.

We will never be coming back here again, and will be advising everyone we know to stay away as well — unless you enjoy feeling...