Contemporary French brasserie Clos Pasoh is ringing in the season this year by showcasing new menus and a slew of festive offerings for a year-end celebration to remember.
It’s the perfect spot to bring 2022 to a stylish close as co-owners chef Louis Pacquelin and Jean-Christophe (JC) Cadoret have created a lush indoor oasis nestled in an 1840s-era heritage building where contemporary French fare is finely matched with a handsome wine list.
Seasonality sits at the heart of French cuisine and as temperatures in France start to dip, diners at Clos Pasoh too can look forward to a new autumn menu that expresses the best of the season. Chef Louis combines the home cooking that he grew up with in La Rochelle — north of Bordeaux — and couples it with his professional training in French brasserie classics. These dishes are then interpreted in a light, modern style meant to reflect the taste preferences of Singapore’s diners.
Each meal begins with the Cervelle de Canut, where fromage blanc — made by a Singapore-based French cheesemaker who only goes by the name Laurent — is served in a glass bowl and seasoned with a medley of freshly chopped herbs, shallots, salt, pepper, aged red wine vinegar and olive oil.
Aside from supporting a local business, the collaboration allows Chef Louis to tailor the taste according to the preference of his diners while serving up an optimal version of the dish thanks to its freshness.
The Crème Dubarry, oursins & algues nori (market price) served in a martini glass is a highlight. Reposing on traditional French recipes but updating them for local diners, Chef Louis lightens up the classic Velouté Dubarry, a soup made from a cauliflower base and turns it into a foam brightened with the infusion of lemongrass and ginger. The glass is topped with bits of sea urchin then dusted with dry nori seaweed so guests can take in the briny perfume as they enjoy the ensemble.
Another new autumn dish, the Aile de raie, artichaut en tempura, réduction d’une soupe de poisson ($40) is created with Singaporean favourite sambal stingray in mind while remaining true to the essence of the Provençale classic. Here, a whole North Atlantic skate wing is served atop a fish soup reduced to a thick, sauce-like viscosity with a crispy artichoke heart and a sour herb salad on the side.
The Tartare de boeuf ($23) is another new and inspired creation. Far from being the Parisian brasserie classic we know and love, chef Louis hand cuts the beef and spices it up with a green curry base toned down with a house made cashew nut butter. This combo is then slotted into a mantou bun, served warm.
Complementing the experience, diners can look forward to the addition of a new cheese trolley presented tableside featuring a range of affinated farmed cheeses ($9 each). This will be wheeled out just before dessert and guests can choose to pair it with a curated selection of wines.
Finish off the meal with a range of seasonal desserts and the Soufflé noisette ($20) is always an excellent choice. Diners can expect a light hazelnut souffle that’s as soft as clouds, elevated with a Gianduja sauce made with chocolate and hazelnuts drizzled over the top. To truly savour the taste of autumn, order up the Mont blanc poire & poivre de Kampot ($18) — its creamy autumnal flavour is enlivened with the sharpness of kampot pepper, well-loved for its subtle citrus and floral notes.
These new dishes are served a-la-carte but are also reflected in the lunch sets, priced affordably at $42++ and $49++ for the two-course and three-course options, respectively.
Whether it’s lunch or dinner, a key element to a meal at Clos Pasoh is the wines. Wine lovers can look forward to a cellar dedicated to Clos Pasoh’s exceptional selection of vino — over 1,100 of them — ranging from a choice of well-known classics as well as artisanal gems, curated by the team. It’s one of Singapore’s most valuable collections of wines made possible by tapping on relationships nurtured over close to a decade in the wine business.
If diners are in the mood for a tipple before the meal, enjoy one for one Martinis at Martini Hour out on the brasserie’s gorgeous terrace from 5pm to 6pm, Tuesdays to Fridays. The house signature is its popular Espresso Martini ($22++) featuring a heady, freshly pulled espresso made with Cafes Richard’s Massaya blend of 70% Arabica coffee bean.
Patrons of Clos Pasoh looking for an elegant space this festive season will be pleased to know that the restaurant is well-appointed with multiple spaces that can serve groups of varying sizes.
The 70-seater Dining Room (46 indoors and 24 outdoors) offers circular banquettes for privacy and lush indoor foliage as well high bar stools from which guests can mingle and work the room. For a more intimate space where guests can get as close to the kitchen action as possible, the Chef’s Table (seats up to 12) is adjacent to the kitchen to witness Chef Louis and his team at work. For absolute privacy, book out the Private Room with its own entrance that seats up to 10 guests.
The autumn dishes and wine selection is not the only way diners can look forward to being well fed this time of year. The magic of the season descends on Clos Pasoh with a slew of special menus on Christmas Eve and brunch on Christmas Day.
Delight in a 10-course dinner ($328++) on Christmas Eve where dishes such as Omelette soufflée à la truffe noire (souffle omelette with black truffle) will be served up alongside a Vol-au-Vent géant — a supersized version of the puff pastry classic filled with sweet bread, succulent pieces of poultry and foie gras. It’s large enough to be shared with four diners and bound to be the centrepiece of any guest’s merry-making.
On Christmas Day, round up your loved ones with a Christmas Brunch ($278++) which starts with a cold buffet followed by hot sharing plates served directly at the table. Dishes like Bar en colère where crumbed sea bass is served with a sauce diable, as well as the Pommes Mont d’Or truffées (truffled potato gratin) will be a welcome way to spend Christmas.
Making your Christmas jollier, corporations looking for a space with delicious food can look forward to Clos Pasoh’s special Christmas corporate menus. Available from 6 Dec onwards, the lunch menu starts from $78++ while dinner is at $148++.
As the year draws to a close, the restaurant has a New Year's Eve in Clos Pasoh ($328++ ) menu in store that’s set to make your fête one to remember. The evening begins with cocktails – free flow Champagne from 8pm to 8:30pm – served with a selection of canapes like Mini Sando Foie Gras, Blinis, cœur de saumon fumé & caviar, and more.
As the night progresses, guests can look forward to a dinner, served communal style with hearty sharing plates comprising the likes of Dans l’esprit d’une soupe de poisson, bar de Méditerranée, homard & seiche (fish soup, with mediterranean sea bass, lobster and cuttlefish) as well as the Fricassée de volaille au vin jaune & aux Morilles, sauce foie gras (guinea fowl, morel, Vin Jaune and foie gras sauce).
As the clock strikes 12 and the year falls away, revel in another round of free flow champagne from midnight to 12:30am for 2022 is a year truly worth celebrating.
Embrace 2023 and start the year on a luxurious note with truffles at Clos Pasoh. Discover daily specials topped with truffles sold by the gram at market price in January, so you can enjoy truffles to your heart’s content.
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