A retro-inspired Athenian taverna lands in Mayfair

When a Greek recommends a Greek restaurant in London, you understand you’re onto one thing good. That’s definitely the case with Notting Hill favourites Mazi and Suzi Tros, the steadfast neighbourhood establishments based by Christina Mouratoglou and Adrien Carré and beloved by everybody from loyal locals to the Greek royal household. Subsequent for the duo is a restaurant tethered to Mayfair but rooted within the transportive spirit of a Nineteen Eighties Athenian taverna.

Wallpaper* dines at Maza, London

The temper: Mediterranean summer season reverie

Situated on the charming mews of Bruton Place, reverse Grosvenor Sq., Maza borrows the convivial spirit of its siblings – the din, the chatter – translating it right into a barely extra theatrical, larger-scale setting suited to a West Finish clientele. London-based Archer Humphryes Architects – lately behind the redesign of the first-floor room at Ronnie Scott’s – averted pretension, as a substitute shaping a retro-chic 90-seat venue with the type of consideration to element that vies with a desk laden with vibrant, freshly ready meze.

‘Christina and Adrien’s household background in Athens has strongly formed the restaurant’s expression. It displays the energetic informal eating scene that has emerged throughout neighbourhoods equivalent to Syntagma, Pagrati, Monastiraki and Exarchia,’ say studio founders David Archer and Julie Humphryes. They proceed: ‘Their imprint runs via each menu and design, with the kitchen partitions lined with framed recipes from Christina’s grandmother’s handwritten cookbook.’

Visitors enter via a cocktail bar with a woven wicker ceiling by Somerset Willow, centred on a DJ station with turntables and a classic sound system. A liquor show and banquette seating lead in direction of the open kitchen, anchored by a central chargrill and counter eating, framed by a pressed-glass gantry by Tony Sandles, with a wine show above. Lighting designer Tim Henderson launched bespoke pendants all through the eating and bar areas.

Wealthy colors, mirrored surfaces and polished brass run throughout two eating ranges. The principle room connects to an out of doors area lined with Mediterranean planting, whereas an higher tier presents group seating on a raised dais with banquettes overlooking the restaurant. Quarry tiles from Ketley in Yorkshire present a sturdy flooring, layered with bespoke rugs from Nordic Knots, whose showroom sits simply across the nook.

The meals: A slice of Athens in Mayfair

The menu, concocted by the founders alongside govt chef Sofoklis Maragoudakis, leans towards trendy Athenian Greek delicacies. ‘We’re all in regards to the components,’ says Maragoudakis. ‘Recent fish arrives day by day from the boats, and we serve regardless of the fishermen have caught. Some greens additionally come straight from Greece, together with the spicy peppers.’

The chef provides: ‘It’s laborious to decide on a favorite, but when I needed to decide one dish, it will be the grilled vine-leaf dolmades with rice and mint yoghurt. It takes me straight again to childhood and my grandmother’s kitchen.’

Begin with spicy feta and heat do-it-yourself flatbread, paired with a crisp glass of white wine. The catch of the day, ready bianco with lemon and olive oil, highlights the pure collagen of the fish, whereas crispy pork stomach gyros presents a richer observe. To complete, Greek yogurt and bergamot ice cream – produced from the citrus fruit discovered throughout Athens – supplies a vibrant, aromatic near a night soundtracked by Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties Greek tunes.