Claude Bosi and Samyukta (Sam) Nair have today announced their partnership with the opening of Socca, in summer 2022.
Located on South Audley Street, London W1, Socca will pay homage to the coastal towns of Cannes, Marseille and Nice, with an emphasis on French-Mediterranean style dishes and wines by the glass.
Nair and designer Tom Strother from Fabled Studio will breathe new life into the former Richoux site, an institution which has been serving diners since 1909.
Having survived World War II, this iconic building will be transformed, in keeping with Nair and Bosi’s vision, into a modern bistro drawing inspiration from French establishments such as La Columbe d’Or.
Bosi has curated a menu with delicate simplicity and seasonality at its core. In keeping with this ethos, Bosi and his team have nurtured relationships with growers and producers, establishing their patronage to their suppliers.
Socca, named after both chickpea flour, the staple ingredient of panisse, and the elegant pea flower, will be a marriage of comforting dishes elevated with refined skill. Bosi will draw upon fond childhood memories spent in the South of France with his family to create nostalgic, sharing plates enriched with the flavours of the French Riviera.
Stepping off South Audley Street, behind sky blue awnings, guests will be led through the charming hallway entrance into the elegant dining room, inspired by the whimsical stylings of Villa Santo Sospir.
In a room warmly lit with scallop shell lights, banquette seating upholstered in deep navy leather separated with warm timber paneling will create a cosy and intimate dining space.
Bosi said, ‘It has been a dream of mine to open a bistro in Mayfair for as long as I can remember. It is such a pleasure to be fulfilling this with my dear friend Sam.’
Nair added, ‘My family and I have known Claude since we exchanged hands at the former Hibiscus site five years ago and since then have remained firm friends. I am so excited to open our restaurant together, and share our love for beautifully prepared home comforts in the heart of Mayfair.’
This new opening marks the fourth restaurant from LSL Capital, following Jamavar, Bombay Bustle and MiMi Mei Fair, and continues Samyukta and her father Dinesh Nair’s love for hospitality and creatively conceptualising bespoke culinary experiences.