There are no shortage of French restaurants in Singapore and it certainly takes some expertise to open a new one and have it booked out for weeks on end. But that is exactly what the team at Clos Pasoh have managed to achieve since opening their doors in March.
Bought to you by the same team behind the highly successful Napoleon and Gaston establishments, Clos Pasoh is housed in the top floor of stunning heritage building in Bukit Pasoh (the former site of one of my favourite Italian restaurants, Oso).
Climbing the stairs to the second floor of this circa 1840 shop house, one begins to understand the name behind the space – “Clos” means “walled vineyard” in French and Pasoh is the Malay name for earthen water and rice pots. Entering the space is akin to entering a garden oasis, adorned with tropical plants and décor, lush green velvet booths and luxurious marble café tables. A effortlessly chic space just at ease for a business lunch as it is for a lively night out with friends.
We commence our evening with a Kir Royale cocktail (champagne and cassis) on the garden terrace before heading to our table inside. It’s a Wednesday night and the atmosphere is buzzing, lively customers, busy wait staff and vibrant music all give Clos Pasoh the feel of a good time.
Our meal begins with the Fois Gras Tartlet ($21++) served with passionfruit and Bonito flakes – the contrasting sweet, sour and salty flavours taking the foie gras to a new and delectable place. The Cervelle de Canut ($12++), a traditional dish from Lyon, is a fresh white cheese with herbs & shallots served with chargrilled sourdough.
For entrees we embrace the fusion of French fare adopting classic Asian cuisine and try the Champignons au vin Jaun ($23++), a mushroom, Comté cheese and vin Jaune dumpling drizzled in a walnut emulsion and the Bisque Coco-Homard ($29++), a steamed lobster dumpling immersed in a coconut and lobster bisque. As an avid dumpling fan, it is very pleasing to see them being used so successfully within modern French cuisine.
The mains reflect the restaurant’s reimagining of a classic French brasserie for today’s urbane foodies and we enjoy both the Maigre de Méditerranée ($42++) – chargrilled meagre fish with Jerusalem artichokes, fish soup reduction and hollandaise and the Canard à l’orange ($42++), duck breast à l’orange with rosebuds and baby turnips. Of course the Gratin de macaroni aux truffes ($19++), macaroni gratin with black truffle is a must try side dish.
Ending the meal on a highlight we indulge in the exquisite freshness of the Coupe fraise & citron ($15++), fresh Japanese strawberries, Italian lemon and coriander served in a delightful Champagne coupe and the impressive Mousse au chocolat ($14++), Guanaja dark chocolate mousse served in an oversized jar with biscotti on the side.
Clos Pasoh has thoughtfully crafted spaces for every occasion, from the relaxed outdoor terrace for an early evening apertivo, to the Chef’s Table for an in-kitchen foodie experience and the private dining room (behind a hidden door) for those more exclusive occasions.
It is most certainly a welcome addition to the Tanjong Pagar dining scene, providing a modern twist on a French brassiere perfect for those who love seriously good food and wine in an unpretentious, casually sophisticated space.
About Rebecca Assice
Rebecca Assice is the Founder and Director of Virtual Room in Asia Pacific. The future of entertainment is now here with Virtual Room – the world’s best team-based virtual reality experience located right in the heart of Chinatown, Singapore. Expat Choice readers enjoy a 15% discount when you book Virtual Room experiences with code EXPATCHOICE15 and receive a 15% automatic discount when booked online at HERE
