Samyukta Nair, the restaurateur behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina in London, has described the experience of opening the latter as a “valuable learning curve”.
In May, Nair will launch Miko Mei Fair in the space below MiMi Mei Fair in London’s Mayfair. Her last opening was Nipotina, in November 2024, which saw Nair take a first step into the world of Italian cuisine.
A month after opening Nipotina, Nair took the decision to close Socca, the upmarket bistro that she opened with chef Claude Bossi in 2023.
“Socca was very much a product of its time,” she said. “It resonated strongly with the pre-Brexit audience – a largely international, free-flowing diaspora of people who frequented Mayfair for power lunches and leisure lunches.”
Because of “the realities of the market” Nair and Bossi decided to “close it with clarity”.
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.