The Clan Restaurant - Fancy dining at Affordable Price

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Dining at those fancy restaurants have always been perceived as a formal affair that invokes images of smart casual dress code, high price tag and the need to make reservations. These factors do contribute to my recent infrequent visiting of such restaurants since my guy and I like to dress very casually and are impromptu in going to our favourite establishments for our weekend lunches. The clan is thus a good choice to enjoy cuisine of European influences without the frills and formality. The best part is, of course, the price. A set lunch can be $19 only, but take note that supplements of around $10 are required for certain main courses and appetizers.

The amuse bouche of Duck Rillette is a good indication of what are to come. The finely shredded duck meat has strong flavours that serve to excite. But the biscuit base is a meh since it does not have the aroma of wheat, and the texture is too hard and lacks the crunchiness.

The Snapper Carpaccio is very fresh, which is winning half the battle already. To top it off, those pretty thick slices of raw fish were drizzled with condiments of exciting tastes. Very tangy, slightly salty, a lace of clean spiciness, and doses of herbs—these complement the flavours of the fish so much. The fresh small tomatoes and dollops of avocado cream taste great on their own and add extra texture and dimension to the dish. The only minor gripe I have with this is the texture of the snapper is a bit chewier, but still, I like this appetizer a lot.

Angel Hair pasta features perfect springy texture that I love in all pasta and noodles. With olive oil and herbs added, and paired with tobiko for bursts of flavours of the sea, this appetizer is a crowd-pleaser.

Chicken Roulade is done right in the sense that the fats and the chicken flesh at the thighs are rolled together to be grilled to yield succulent and juicy meat. Most chicken dishes have the issue of being too dry, and the Chicken Roulade here impresses me by overcoming this. The sauce will appeal to Singaporeans' palates since it is the lighter and more exotic version of top notch sauces used in our Singapore Style Western Food. Though I have to admit that I prefer breast meat, so this dish did not blow me away.

Panna Cotta is quite a let-down after the oh-so-appetizing appetizers and nice mains. The consistency of the pudding is just that of a ... pudding. Nothing wrong with that, but I want to be surprised with something new when going to fancy restaurants. The berry compote is the one that ruins it all. It tastes like there is prune or preserved fruits inside, and I can't stand the smell and taste of either.

Service is decent, but not noteworthy. One thing the staff did very right is to open the door for us and bade farewell. This actually puts a great ending note on the dining experience. To me, this can negate quite a lot of minus points on the service side.

Ambience is posh and chic, great for dates or gathering in an upclass environment, without hurting the wallet.

For casual dining at a nice fancy restaurant, this place definitely is an excellent choice.

My Thoughts: Nice!

This restaurant is no longer in operation.