Case Study: Pelican Grill

Client:

The Resort at Pelican Hill
22800 Pelican Hill Road South
Newport Coast, CA

Problem:

Pelican Grill, a restaurant at the Pelican Hill Resort was shut down for approximately 2 years for upgrades. They brought in Chef Thomas Ryan to raise the standard of the cuisine and atmosphere. He wanted to offer something very unique and different to attract a fine dining experience.

Solution:

A little about Chef Thomas Ryan:

Beginning with formal training at The Culinary Institute of America, Thomas Ryan has apprenticed at the Culinary Olympics, opened 7 luxury hotels and has worked in the latest discriminating resort cities including; Las Vegas, Aspen, New York, Miami, Washington DC, Seattle, Scottsdale, Santa Fe, Atlanta, Munich West Germany, and the British Virgin Islands. His work experience has been associated with Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood and Hilton Hotels.

The first meeting between Chef Ryan and Carving Ice was this past summer to discuss his vision for a sorbet dish. We provided him with several samples that we hand delivered. Together we narrowed down the selections and came up with a final version.

“The vision to have ‘Slow Food’, and continue to create fresh natural dishes with sustainable products and people comes from Carving Ice’s products. The single unit block of ice for our signature shrimp cocktail is the ultimate conversation piece in our dining room. Carving Ice supplies the most unique custom work I have ever been associated with!” Says Chef Ryan.

Success:

When the Pelican Grill opened their doors in September, the sorbets started selling at a rate of approximately 200 per week. These sorbets are used for a feature crab and shrimp appetizer.

With the success of the Carving Ice partnership in mind, the chef decided to take the relationship to the next level on New Year’s Eve. The AquaSermo was highlighted between the pillars of the front entrance that evening. An 8-foot ice bar served champagne in front of the AquaSermo. It made for a stunning entrance to the restaurant.

Spread throughout the inside of the restaurant were six ice menus displaying different selections, caviar, oyster ice bars and a Chopin vodka ice luge.

Carving Ice will continue to develop new ice products for Pelican Hills in the new year and we look forward to building on to a mutually beneficial partnership.

Aqua Sermo

The AquaSermo is Millions of tiny illuminated droplets cascading to the ground forming an image in mid-air – a name, a logo, a message, even a picture. Click on the image and see for yourself!