So Chic review of Les Ducs and Madame Claude

In the heart of buzzing Chinatown, on one of Ann Siang Hill’s most picturesque streets, you’ll find Les Ducs. This is Chef Louis Pacquelin’s take on what he calls “French fun dining”: generous, comforting food made with French precision, but with the playful touch of a chef who loves to surprise. Upstairs, his second concept, Madame Claude, picks up the story a cocktail and social club where music, glamour, and a sense of mischief set the tone for the night.

So Chic had the chance to explore both spaces, and what we discovered was not just good food and good drinks, but a whole French-inspired way of celebrating life in Singapore.

Louis Pacquelin belongs to a generation of French chefs who are reinventing what dining out can feel like in Asia. He’s passionate, down-to-earth, and he brings that energy to the table. Guests don’t just eat at Les Ducs: they’re welcomed into the story.

What struck us most is how simple the food looks on the plate, yet how much work goes into each element. Even the sauces, which feel so effortless, take days to prepare. It’s French cuisine stripped of pomp but never of detail giving a refreshing mix of precision and fun.

The menu balances French classics with clever twists. Here’s a glimpse of what we tasted:

Starters

• Croque Prata — imagine a croque-monsieur gone playful, with ham, Comté cheese, truffle, and prata standing in for bread.

• Hamachi in a green chili marinade — fresh and slightly fiery, a nod to local flavours.

Mains

• Bouillabaisse — a warm, generous fish stew with seabream, octopus, and clams. This main as classic as it can be was twisted and the way it was plated up would transport you directly in the south of France.

• Angus beef tenderloin with Kampot pepper sauce — served with crisp potato wedges that were impossible not to finish.

The beef was the star of the evening for us: perfectly cooked, full of flavour, and balanced by a pepper sauce that had just the right amount of kick. Comforting, elegant, and exactly the kind of dish that makes you want to come back.

After dinner, we headed upstairs to Madame Claude. The contrast was striking: while Les Ducs is bright and convivial, Madame Claude feels more mysterious, more glamorous. The name is a wink to the famous Parisian figure of the 60s, and the atmosphere plays with that same spirit: indulgent, a little cheeky, and very chic.

The drinks menu is wide and playful. We tried two favourites:

• The Espresso Martini — bold and smooth, a crowd-pleaser done right.

• The Vivienne — Hibiki whisky with banana and chocolate bitters, a grown-up version of the flavours of childhood.

What sets this duo apart is the constant sense of celebration. Beyond the everyday dining and cocktail experience, Les Ducs and Madame Claude have become a hub for themed nights and special events that bring people together.

At Les Ducs, one highlight is Jeudi des Copains: every third Thursday of the month, friends gather around a single generous French dish served free-flow style. It’s not just about eating; it’s about recreating the communal spirit of a French dinner table in the middle of Singapore. Past editions have featured classics like blanquette de veau, paired with starters and wine, the kind of evening where laughter grows louder as the plates keep coming.

Anniversaries and milestones are also celebrated in style. The restaurant’s 1st Anniversary Brunch turned the entire three-storey venue into one big party, complete with free-flow bubbles and beats from live DJs. It was less a brunch than a statement: Les Ducs is here to be part of the city’s social calendar.

Upstairs, Madame Claude keeps the rhythm going with its own lineup:

• Ladies’ Night Wednesdays: a glamorous midweek escape with free-flow wine and spirits.

• Happy Hour: 1-for-1 cocktails, spirits, and beers : a reason to slip in right after work.

• Groovy Fridays: the signature DJ night,  add a playful twist to the dance floor.

We had the chance to experience one of these themed nights ourselves during a “Back to School” Groovy Friday. The playlist was a throwback to the best of the 90s and early 2000s, and the energy was infectious. Between the cocktails, the music, and the crowd on their feet, the atmosphere was pure nostalgia with a chic twist, the kind of party that makes you forget you’re in Singapore and transports you straight into a Parisian soirée with friends.

What makes Les Ducs & Madame Claude special is the way the two concepts complete each other. Downstairs, you get the warmth of a French brasserie reimagined for Singapore. Upstairs, you step into a playground for grown-ups, where cocktails, music, and a hint of decadence take over.

For French expats, it’s a taste of home with a twist, from familiar classics like bouillabaisse to monthly communal dinners (Jeudi des Copains) that recreate the spirit of dining together in France. For locals and visitors, it’s an open invitation to discover French food and nightlife in a setting that feels both authentic and new.

Whether you’re coming for dinner, cocktails, or both, you’ll leave with the sense that you’ve stepped into a slice of France right in the middle of Ann Siang Hill: festive, welcoming, and unforgettable.

So Chic tip: book a table for Jeudi des Copains. A big dish, shared in true French style, paired with great wine and good company, it’s the essence of what makes this place shine.

Les Ducs – 8 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069788
Madame Claude – Upstairs at Les Ducs
Tuesday–Saturday