FOOD + DRINK
THE BLUE PELICAN
A SPARKLING SEAFRONT TOWNHOUSE IN DEAL , THE BLUE PELICAN SITS RESPLENDENT ON THE OCEAN ’ S EDGE INVITING GUESTS TO DINE ON VIBRANT JAPANESE SMALL PLATES AND SOAK UP SOME OF THE QUIRKY TOWN ’ S COOLEST VIBES . BY OLIVIA RICCINI
Already a treasure chest bursting with gastronomic delights and staycation sanctuaries , day by day , Deal adds further jewels to its glittering hoard . Having boasted the gem that is The Rose for several years , this time , Deal welcomes a brand new sparkler to its collection , brought to the town by the same genius team that crafted The Rose . When it comes to character , this newbie is a cool aquamarine in comparison to its older sibling ’ s warm ruby . Based in a townhouse overlooking Deal ’ s stunning seafront , ocean vistas are brought inside through the glass windows , the blue serenity and shimmer of the sea scintillating around the venue so the entire place sparkles .
Appropriately named The Blue Pelican , I find myself standing inside , once again marvelling at the interior design talents of co-owner Alex Bagner . She ’ s done it again . Both an aesthetics and interior-design lover ’ s haven , Alex has made the most of that beautiful , flooding , bright ocean light - reflecting all its glory in an uplifting white and blue pastel colour scheme . A Hokusai-inspired wave print of Deal seafront ( Blue Pelican included ) takes centre stage , while cushioned benchstyle seating runs underneath and a handful of neat marble-topped tables are perfectly spaced around , achieving a balanced blend of intimate dining and a sociable atmosphere .
Taking our seats in a cosy corner backed by the window , I take in more of my surroundings . An open kitchen acts as the stage to this theatre , the chefs cooking up a spectacle - with high counter-top seating offering frontrow seats to the show . The main character today is head chef Luke Green who later tells us he learned most of his skills in Tokyo , where he lived and trained as a chef alongside his wife , Miaki . The Blue Pelican ’ s food concept is Japanese inspired , bringing to Deal a culinary experience the town has never before been blessed with before .
With all the hope of a pelican hoping to secure the tastiest catch , we dive into the menu and select a series of vibrant small plates that reflect all the coolness and ingenuity of everything we have seen so far . A culinary tradition named ‘ izakaya ’, these include the likes of smoked eel , tamogoyaki and sansho pepper ; crab croquettes ; raw sea bass with winter tomatoes and daikon ; delicia pumpkin tempura with fermented honey and seaweed ; and Jerusalem artichokes and kale tops with barley miso . Every little dish is a flavour sensation in the mouth . The delicacy and individuality of the fish in each brought to its full potential and heightened by the clever combination of the fresh veggie ingredients , intoxicating sauces and deft seasoning . Beautifully fresh , exquisite in texture and original tantalising flavours make these no less than hedonistic . Far from just a salty hit , the combination of flavours alongside the formation of being raw to perfectly cooked , makes these dishes a complex gastronomic experience to be savoured .
Although small plates are the thing here , larger dishes are also on the menu . We order the grilled squid with pork , pearl barley and chanterelles - yet another ingenious culinary combination concept . The pork - rich and hearty - is an exquisite partner to the grilled squid , with its satisfyingly dense but soft seafood texture .
In need of a sweet treat to round off the meal , I savour yet another totally original flavour that comes in the form of the creme caramel with kumquat and kinako . Simultaneously milky and citrus-sharp , this is the perfect palate-cleansing end to a meal I won ’ t be forgetting anytime soon .
The Blue Pelican 83 Beach St Deal CT14 6JA
01304 783162 thebluepelican . co . uk eat @ thebluepelican . co . uk thebluepelicandeal www . insidekent . co . uk • 99