Le Pelican

I really wanted to like this place based on the reviews by it wasn’t worth more than 3 stars IMO.
The service was ok. But the food was hit and miss.
The hits were the special entrée of asparagus, egg and caviar. Very nice indeed. The lamb was melt in the mouth and flavours worked very well.
The misses were the duck breast was very tough (sharper knife needed perhaps). The snapper was bland and the broth just didn’t work.
Perhaps the pie and steak would have been better choices.

Stunning food, great service, all round a pleasure to dine at.

When the worst thing a restaurant has going for it is the fact it’s impossible to decide what’s better — the staff or the food — you’re onto a good thing. Authentic, delicious French food that is kind to the wallet (if not the waistline!), in a stylish heritage sandstone cottage, with friendly, knowledgable staff. Don’t leave without trying the soufflé.

Had a lovely night here a few weeks ago the food was great and the wine was fantastic. We sat outside in the back which was nice quiet and sheltered.

I think I died and went to heaven when I took a first bite of le fondant du chocolat. But wait, let me rewind to the beginning.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday a couple weeks ago because he knows I love everything french related. He asked a french coworker if she had any suggestions and she recommended Le Pelican. The restaurant is an intimate rustic french bistro nestled in Surry Hills. Get outdoor seating if you can — it’s decorated with lights and so charming.
For starters we ordered raw oysters, escargots (my first time!) and duck foie gras terrine. The escargots were served slightly different than usual. They were covered in a light crisp batter but the inside remained the same — tender and loaded with garlic and butter. Delicious. The terrine… well, it was the best homemade, french terrine either of us have ever had.
For mains we ordered le canard (duck) and le cochin (crispy suckling pig). They were both cooked to perfection.
For dessert we ordered Le gâteau Basque w prunes & Armagnac ice cream (YUM!) and Le chocolat (chocolate fondant with thyme). The dessert was the perfect ending to a magnificent meal. As soon as my spoon broke the shell of le chocolat, warm rich chocolate poured out. And I must say that the thyme gave it a very special touch. I was very impressed.
The portion sizes were generous especially for french cuisine. We left feeling very full and satisfied. The servers are all french and the food is authentic. I was swept off my feet. Merci beaucoup!

I visited Le Pelican for a company dinner, and the bill was inivisible to all of us, so this review won’t take into account the value aspect.
First up, like all decent restaurants, the waiter/​waitress service was impeccable. Most of the time I simply want a non-​Soup Nazi experience, so that already ticked it. But the staff felt extra friendly without being overpowering — got finesse. When we ordered spirits towards the end of the dinner. The waiter was very helpful with his recommendations. It probably helped that we were a little tipsy on a few beers and wines, and we had some French colleagues with us.
As for the food, our selection was a little different from the group menu shown on their web site, and in my view that cost them the 5^th star. The menu was a little Italian. There were ravioli (and I do acknowledge that a variation of ravioli is served in some regions of southern France) and risotto (that probably tipped me over). And yes I skipped them. I didn’t skip back into France, because I ordered a rib eye steak for my main. I’ll get into that a little later.
My entrée was scallops, served with a leek fondue and oyster butter. It was delicious but I was hoping to see more than three scallops on my plate! In fact I was hoping to see the Pâté maison on the menu, but sadly it wasn’t in the selection for the evening.
The steak was aged well and although I ordered blue (my favourite), there was not a single drop of blood. The cooking time was also to perfection — some places you go to, you order rare and it comes out with just a tiny bit of pink in the centre. It was well-​made, but I was again hoping to see something else, such as the duck breast.
The chocolate fondant was my choice of dessert, and it was marvellous! Put it this way, I don’t really care where it’s origin is, because the shell was thin and as soon as you break it, warm chocolate oozed everywhere! Delicious. What a way to end the evening (before the spirits).
I’d go back if only to try all the distinctly French items on the menu.

We went to Le Pelican for Bastille Day. Had a special menu which was an excellent value and terrific food. The owner came and chatted with us afterwards. The service was very attentive and warm. I eat in French restaurants all the time and this one was well worth a visit. I liked the combination of excellent food and lack of pretention. I am not from Sydney and was a little surprised at the neighborhood, not what I would have associated with a restaurant of its quality, but well worth the visit.

I have just returned from a Christmas lunch with a bunch of old work colleagues and friends at Le Pelican. It was chosen by one of these on the basis of a ‘friend-​of-​a-​friend’ so I was somewhat cautious when I arrived.
Initial impressions were positive. I imagine it’s hard to have a different look when there are so many other Surry Hills restaurants working hard to look interesting and stand out. Instead of trying to rise above it, Le Pelican’s décor leverages the original building and blends 100 year old Sydney with traditional French restaurant cues. I felt welcome and relaxed as soon as I walked in.
We had a table in the courtyard at the rear, which was perfect for the sunny weather. In order to cater for our group we had agreed a limited menu. Starters included a delicious looking scallop dish and my choice: one of the best homemade, French-​style terrines I’ve ever had. Mains included an awesome fish pie with the most exquisite, structured flavour including, I’m told, grated truffle. My ‘onglet’ steak was a simpler dish, but still first class. There was also some kind of vegetarian number which my vegetarian friend pronounced ‘delicious’ but I cannot comment further. Desserts included perfect stawberry souffles, a decadent, but sensibly sized choclate cake with a liquid centre, or a selection of cheeses. The souffles and chocolate were accompanied by a homemade Thyme ice cream which was not less than admirable.
Our wines were chosen by our group’s wine tragic, and were (and I’m aware this is becoming repetitive) terrific. Sorry I can’t list them here, I was too busy having a good time.
After an excellent coffee, the bill split out to $ 120 a head, including a moderate tip. This represents excellent value for a restaurant I’d match against the very best in Sydney.

A charming little French restaurant right behind Taylor Square. The interiors are warm and intimate, with beautiful sandstone throughout. Great for romantic anniversaries or just a fancy night out with fancy friends.

A great little bistro that deserves more recognition. It’s French but not the heavy cream in everything kind, more Mediterranean influenced. The courtyard is great for Summer afternoons too.

Let me start this review by saying that I am not a fan of French food. I find it heavy and rich and usually too fussy for my tastes.
I really really like Le Pelican. This contemporary french bistro is kicking major goals for me. From it’s sandstone cottage exterior and warm sandstone interior decorated it’s a rustic little haven you could almost walk straight by. Le Pelican is unassuming and from the front you would have no idea of the gorgeous little garden/​courtyard out the back. I went to Le Pelican on a sunny, warm day and eating lunch in the courtyard I thought I may well have been transported to France. I ate off the a la carte menu and enjoyed a starter of Beetroot, goat’s curd and avruga, which was light and full of flavour and for my main I enjoyed the Cowra spring lamb with peas and potato. I also jealously eyed off the Flathead pie with I think must be something of a signature judging by the amount of people eating it around me. Testiment to the light nature of the dish I had room for desert, which of course was superb, we shared the ice cream and sorbet selection and the cheese plate!
I had not heard much about Le Pelican before I went which made the experience so much more delightful. This restaurant is an absolute gem, a perfect place to enjoy a lunch on a sunny day or a romantic dinner with someone special. Le Pelican has changed the way I view French food, which gets a huge tick from me. This restaurant is a star — well five in fact.