Maison Pourcel: Tapas and cocktails from two French twins

Back from a long hiatus after closing their original Shanghai venue, Sens and Bund, the Michelin-star twin chefs Jaques and Laurent Pourcel are back and heating up local kitchens, first with 6SENS, the official restaurant of the French Pavilion, and now with the opening of their off-Expo venue Maison Pourcel.

Opened in the historic Red House building, a restored mansion that once was the home of French cuisine in 1930s Shanghai, Maison Pourcel offers Mediterranean-inspired French fine dining, with a contemporary twist, of course. The food has a special meaning for the chefs as they grew up in the Mediterranean region. 

The Pourcel twins were award their Michelin star for their efforts in their first restaurant Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. Soon after, their business expanded overseas to Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Fine dining area with a view of the city at Maison Pourcel.

Maison Pourcel venue 

The classic art deco venue will be home to Maison Pourcel’s fine dining restaurant, a tapas bar (an al fresco dining area with a view of the French Concession) and VIP rooms. Those who’d like a smoke after their meal should request the room with the adjacent cigar room.

Art deco paintings and geometric designs cover the sixth floor tapas bar while Maison Pourcel’s drinks menu features a comprehensive cocktail list that even Constellation-goers would be impressed with, as well as playful modern interpretations of those classic drinks. There's also an extensive wine list featuring more than 200 bottles (coming from a 3,000 bottle capacity wine cellar).

The twins explain their motivations behind their new space: “Shanghai has always been a favored challenge for restaurateurs from around the world for its diversity and cosmopolitan people. And it certainly is our latest and biggest ambition to present the best and most authentic French culinary experience to people here,” says Jacques Pourcel.

“The success of 6Sens we currently run in the French Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo proves that the city is well prepared for fine French dining. Coupled with the special Red House location, which holds significant emotional ties with the local community, we are confident that Maison Pourcel will become one of the favorite dining destinations for people in Shanghai to experience not only authentic French culinary dishes but also the very unique Pourcel cuisine.”

The food

With the motto “Good food can’t be created without good produce,” the Pourcel serves the best of local and international produce creating a menu that combines hot and cold, soft and crispy, savory and sweet. See SmartShanghai for the full list of dishes.

An average dinner at the Maison Pourcel main restaurant (excluding drinks) starts from RMB 600 a person while the tapas dishes at the bar are priced from RMB 60 to RMB 289. 

getting there

Maison Pourcel
6-8/F, 35 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Changle Lu
陕西南路35号6-8楼, 近长乐路
tel +86 21 6215 8777