By Amy Glasgow
I don’t know about you, but when I heard the news that Shucks had shut quite suddenly and was due to be replaced by a new concept, The Clarence, I was quite aghast. Having visited Shucks twice since it opened, I loved the menu, the vibe and the array of fresh, quality seafood on offer. For reasons unbenownst to me though, it closed its doors, and earlier this year reopened as The Clarence, so naturally I had to go along and see how it had been transformed.
The good news is the restaurant has the same chic feel to it that Shucks had, and while there is less seafood, the menu still feels special and exciting. With nostalgic puddings, oyster happy hour, Sunday roasts, and an exceptional drinks menu, there’s something for everyone.
For Starters
To kick things off, I decided to opt for the Classic beef tartare with beef fat hash brown, and it did not disappoint. The beef was beautifully fresh and tender with the perfect zing, and the rich, crispy hash brown was the ideal vessel – I could have eaten a whole plateful of those hash bornws.
Moving onto the mains, there are an array of cuts from the grill to choose from, from classic steaks to more unique options like pork chop on the bone, tuna loin and monkfish tail.
The Main Event
I decided however to go for the Sole ‘Grenobloise’, served on the bone and topped with crisp croutons, brown butter, shrimp, lemon and capers. The fish was perfectly cooked, delicately flaking away from the bone at the lightest touch, my only critique is it could have used an extra squeeze of lemon juice to cut through the richness of the butter.
I would say that while all the staff were helpful and friendly, the service was on the slower side, with our dining party waiting a while to have our drinks order taken, and quite long waits between courses, however this did mean we never felt rushed and were able to enjoy our meal over a relaxed few hours.
The prices here are on the steeper side, but it is reflected in the quality of the food. You can still grab a good deal though if you choose to dine on their Early Menu, which offers two courses for £28 or three for £35.
While I will miss Shucks, it is clear to see that The Clarence is a great addition to this Hyndland neighbourhood – in fact I am quite keen to go back soon and sample their Sunday roast.
168 Hyndland Road
G12 9HZ
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