Pelican Alley Restaurant — Restaurant in Venice

First time here. The new building, staff, and ambience are wonderful. We were greeted and seated promptly. The waitress took our drink and appetizer order almost right away. She was very attentive without being overbearing. They had changed up which beers they keep on tap but had not updated their drink menu. We ordered their most popular appetizer of baked mushroom/ crab/ artichoke, "taps and caps" I think it was called. It came out hot and fast. It was put together in a soup bowl, half pile of crab/Ritz cracker blend and half a pile of portobello pieces with artichoke hearts, all topped with a very thick layer of asiago cheese. Asiago cheese does not get very soft or gooey when melted so there was nothing to hold the ingredients together and we had to use a knife to cut thru the cheese layer. I also found it odd that the ingredients weren't mixed together under the cheese. Anyways, the flavor was ok, so we ate it and moved onto the main course. We ordered the twin bacon wrapped filets with a baked potato($29) and the cajun seasoned grouper with the veggie medley($22). The fish was very fresh and baked to perfection and they were generous with the portion. The veggie medley was just as delicious. The files were cooked medium rare like I ordered. They were wrapped in a very overbearing (hickory?) bacon that permeated the entire dish. The filet, demi glaze, and mushrooms all tasted like bacon and were only lukewarm. There was a disc of melted/fried parmesan standing up in the middle of the plate that wasn't quite crispy and a small bed of arugula on the side sitting in the gravy. I'm assuming these things were for decoration.

Although we really enjoyed the establishment as a whole, the food needs some tweaking. We felt that they need to make a decision, either be a burger and fries place or a fine dining establishment. We will be back to try the burger and fries half of the menu and would definitely eat...

Aww to bad. This was our favorite place when we're in the area, & the seafood nachos were our favorite dish. So we REALLY looked forward to going again. SOOO many things just were such a disappointment. We made a reservation for 8 & were put in the front right corner right by the door that leads out to the dock. So much traffic. Our waitress was not to friendly, had better things to be doing than serving us. When asked for recommendations, she curtly said "we've put the popular items in boxes". Sorry i asked!

The food was SO EXPENSIVE for what we got!! We spent about $30 person, with tip it was more than $250! The fried grouper was tiny for $25. The salmon was tiny. The grouper sandwich was so poorly constructed & tasteless, we should have sent it back. You can see in the picture that the purple onion was RIDICULOUSLY cut. How did that leave the kitchen?! (Yes the little things matter!) This is the only thing i thought to take a pic of. The seafood saute was actually promising, except it wasn't saucy but watery which took away from the appeal of the dish for sure. To top it off, the seafood nachos were subpar, with hardly any of the sauce that makes it so good. We split 2 of them between the 8 of us & there was absolutely no need for the small plates that were brought. That was the whole reason we were there!

Honestly, this restaurant is leaning HEAVILY on being "historic" (there was a novel of their story on the table). It's hard to imagine that they won't be history if they don't fix the food. We had gone to Sharkey's the night before & the view & food & service was 100% better! At Pelican Alley we could hardly see out of the window at the intercoastal. It's going to be a while before we try again, if at...

I'm delighted to share my experiences at Pelican Alley in Nokomis, Florida. This charming restaurant has won me over with its consistently delightful offerings. While the food is very good, there is potential for it to be even better. The menu offers a variety of options, though I find the broiled dishes and daily specials to be the true standouts.

What truly sets Pelican Alley apart is its impeccable service and welcoming ambiance. The staff's warm and friendly demeanor creates an inviting atmosphere that ensures each visit is memorable. The restaurant's attention to detail is evident, from the flavorful broiled dishes to the thoughtfully curated specials.

A commendable highlight is Pelican Alley's dedication to environmental preservation, demonstrated by their addition of an artificial reef, showcasing their commitment to the local ecosystem.

Whether you arrive by car or by boat, the experience is equally enjoyable. Additionally, the restaurant's location offers stunning views and the chance to witness breathtaking sunsets, elevating the overall dining experience.

In a world where exceptional dining experiences are cherished, Pelican Alley shines as a gem. While the food's quality is evident, particularly in the broiled items and house specials, there's room for even greater culinary excellence. With exceptional service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a dedication to both great dining and environmental responsibility, Pelican Alley in Nokomis, Florida, deserves its place on the list of those who value outstanding cuisine and a captivating environment.

I have great pictures to post, but apparently I haven’t figured out how to...