Wine-centric French brasserie Le Clos at New Bahru boasts a stunning array of wines and wistful bistro classics that will have you yearning for a return to la République.
What was previously Clos Pasoh at Bukit Pasoh is now Le Clos Wine House & Restaurant. And in a different location, as well. Now situated in New Bahru, Le Clos brings some much-needed Gallic flair to that dynamic new F&B and lifestyle hub off River Valley.
Where Clos Pasoh was a chef-led restaurant that just so happens to be wrapped around a fantastic wine list, its new iteration sees it first and foremost as a wine bar. In fact the first thing you see when you enter its premises is its temperature-controlled wine cellar, standing pride of place on one flank of the entrance with racks upon racks of precious bottles totalling 800 labels stacked from floor to ceiling.
It’s oenophile heaven, particularly if you’re a huge fan of French wine, with labels upon labels running the gamut of prestigious appellations across many of the country’s most iconic winemaking regions.
If you’re not careful, you’ll be sucked into a morass of French AOCs. You’ll find representatives from, for example, the Left Bank of Bordeaux such as Margaux and Pauillac, or Saint-Émilion and Pomerol from the Right Bank.
Then there’s Burgundy. Of course there’s Burgundy. Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny from the Côte de Nuits, while Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet stamp their authority on behalf of Côte de Beaune. And Chablis, of course.
Other French regions are also well represented, particular Champagne (of the grower sort), and also the Loire and the Rhone.
You’ll certainly be spoilt for choice here when it comes to French wine. And to little surprise; Le Clos founder Jean-Christophe Cadoret is a serial F&B entrepreneur behind French dining concepts Gaston along Keong Saik Road and Napoleon Wine Bistro over at Telok Ayer Street.
More importantly, he’s also behind fine wine importer Galiena Fine Wines, which brings in all these wines for his venues and more.
Back to Les Clos.
Unlike the stark Brutalist architecture of what was once a high school that surrounds it, the interior of the French brasserie resembles some sort of contemporary tropical oasis with lashes of colonial French sensibility – and punctuated with splashes of colourful pop art – that wouldn’t be out of place in, say, Saigon’s Da Kao district. There’s even an alfresco terrasse for those who want to luxuriate in Singapore’s equatorial humidity while sipping on their Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
As for its food? Chef Louis Pacquelin, who previously helmed the kitchen at Clos Pasoh, has gone off to do his own thing over at Les Ducs. And rather than the Asian-accented French cuisine Pacquelin is known for, Le Clos instead leans back on classic French comfort food as well as its contemporaries across the Mediterranean.
Yes, our local French expatriate community can find gastronomic solace here. From Brittany Oysters and Garlic-Parsley Escargots to Tarte Flambée, that iconic signature of Alsace, it will be a taste of home. Not to forget the classic steak frites of Macka’s Grass Fed Ribeye served with Bordelaise, or its seafood equivalent of moules frites that is Morisseau Mussels, Vin Jaune Mariniere.
But you’ll also find the likes of Lamb Tenderloin Skewers that find its roots in the Levant, or the Croq’ Basque, a chorizo-laden take on the classic Croque Monsieur inspired by Basque country to France’s west. Then there’s Watermelon, Feta & Mint, which is definitely more Greek in nature.
While any self-respecting French establishment in town would feature wine in a big way, Le Clos puts wine up front and centre and then just so happens to serve good eats. If you’re a Francophile, you owe yourself a trip here. Especially if you’re the wine-loving, glass-swirling sort.
Le Clos Wine House & Restaurant
Address 46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-18 New Bahru, Singapore 239351 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 6pm to 12am on Mondays and Wednesdays, 12pm to 12am Thursdays to Sundays (restaurant); 2pm to 12am on Wednesdays to Mondays (wine bar); closed on Tuesdays
Tel (65) 9387 4969
Web leclos.sg
Facebook leclos.sg
Instagram @leclos.sg
Reservations book here
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