New in town: Clos Pasoh, Bukit Pasoh — Authentically French cuisine that doesn’t break the bank

Authentically French cuisine is hard to come by in Singapore, we know, so we’re all counting on the newly-opened Clos Pasoh along Bukit Pasoh Road to boost our French scene here on this little red dot. With the restaurant still in the works, we can only get sneak peeks of the exciting menu to come, and I’ve already got my eye on some mouth-watering dishes.

To start, perhaps Rillettes (S$18) might tickle your fancy, which sees duck rillettes with foie gras and chargrilled sourdough, maybe a dainty Tête de veau (S$12) will do just the trick. It’s a calf head fried wonton in wasabi ravigote sauce that already whets my appetite just thinking about it.

The Gratin de macaroni aux truffes (S$18), comprising of macaroni gratin and black truffle, is an opulent vegetarian side dish. And it doesn’t get any more French than the Escargots et Cresson (S$23), which is essentially snails, bone marrow, and cold watercress chlorophyll.

Yes, I think by now it’s clear that the menu is largely in French, but rest assured there are English descriptions below each dish listing, so you won’t have to embarrassingly Google the name of every dish under the table before your date notices. Clos Pasoh’s got you, fam.

What’s particularly arresting is their Set Lunch Menu (S$38 for 2 courses, S$45 for 3 courses), from which you’ll be able to pick the likes of Maigre de Méditerranée (chargrilled meagre fish, Jerusalem artichokes, fish soup reduction, and hollandaise), Bisque Coco-homard (coconut & lobster bisque and steamed lobster dumpling, additional S$8), and a rich Mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse with Guanaja dark chocolate) for a sweet finish.

And if you’re up for it, Clos Pasoh’s got a 23-page wine list for whatever you’re in the mood for. Anything from a rose like the Chateau du Seuil (S$15, 120ml) to a bordeaux like the 2010 Chateau Margaux (Magnum) (S$4010, per bottle), and everything else in between. Okay, so maybe you’re not willing to go like four-grand-level hard, understandable. Though I’m confident that you’ll find some just right for your budget, occasion, and palate.