Restaurant Review: Pelican Bend in Isles of Capri, Florida

Looking for some good food in the Isles of Capri? Look no further, Pelican Bend on 219 Capri Boulevard in Isles of Capri Florida has seafood that will capture your taste buds. The Pelican Bend is located snuggled on the Isles of Capri main strip and parking is limited and tight. The Pelican Bend is owned and runned by Mickey and Annie Cooper since the 1980's. If the owners are not present there is always a relative that is making you feel welcome. The restaurant has a nautical decor and an open floor plan yet cozy. The restaurant is open all year long. High season in this area is November thru April so be prepared to arrive an hour early and wait in line until they open doors for dinner from 5:00-9:00 p.m. No reservations taken but the wait is well worth standing in line.

The prices are reasonable and range from 3.95-6.75 for appetizers and 7.00-15.00 for main entree.
Diners: Myself Zsa Zsa, Chet and guest Craigers.

Craigers is a regular client and suggested a few of his favorites. We started with Captain Bride Seafood Chowder. The chowder was full of spices that only accented the delicious flavor of the seafood. I asked for a cup of chowder and it was packet with clam and potato enough to fill you up if you are on a diet. The second item we ordered was the wedge of lettuce. At first I was hesitant to order this item. It is just one-fourth of a head of lettuce. The presentation was nonexistent but the taste was wonderful. The house dressing is a creamy honey garlic that made that wedge of lettuce more than just a salad. Plain and simple yet delicious and aromatic.

Chet ordered the steamed shrimp basket. There were also other basket of seafood like fried shrimp, fried fish or oysters. Chet chose the steamed basket even though he had to peel the shrimp. The shrimps were a good size and about fifteen shrimps came in the basket. There was cocktail sauce as well as lemon. The shrimps had a nice fresh taste with the perfect amount of boiling seasonings.

The place is well known for its grouper dish. And this is the dish I ordered. The grouper is lightly breaded with a lemon/garlic sauce and served with sweet potato. The sauce balanced the flavor of the grouper and didn't over power the fish. The sweet potato complemented the grouper and gave the dish a fresh taste. This dish is only served for dinner. If you cannot make it for dinner then the grouper sandwich I highly recommend. The grouper is just plain good any way it is prepared you will not be disappointed.

Pelican Bend has other dishes from chip and fries to hamburgers also. The restaurant has a very friendly atmosphere and great seafood for casual dining.

The rating: Out of "Must Bite"(Excellent), "Bite this"(must try), "Take a Bite"(hit or miss),"little bites"(go at your own risk),and "This bites"(sucks)....we give The Pelican Bend an overall rating of Bite This.