Maza restaurant evaluation: a slice of Athens lands in Mayfair

When a Greek recommends a Greek restaurant in London, you already know you’re onto one thing good. That’s actually 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 Eighties Athenian taverna.

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 – not too long ago behind the redesign of the first-floor room at Ronnie Scott’s – prevented pretension, as an alternative 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 comparable to Syntagma, Pagrati, Monastiraki and Exarchia,’ say studio founders David Archer and Julie Humphryes. They proceed: ‘Their imprint runs by means of each menu and design, with the kitchen partitions lined with framed recipes from Christina’s grandmother’s handwritten cookbook.’

Friends enter by means of 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 primary room connects to an outside house lined with Mediterranean planting, whereas an higher tier affords group seating on a raised dais with banquettes overlooking the restaurant. Quarry tiles from Ketley in Yorkshire present a sturdy ground, 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 fashionable Athenian Greek delicacies. ‘We’re all in regards to the elements,’ says Maragoudakis. ‘Recent fish arrives each day from the boats, and we serve regardless of the fishermen have caught. Some greens additionally come instantly from Greece, together with the spicy peppers.’

The chef provides: ‘It’s laborious to decide on a favorite, but when I needed to choose one dish, it could 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 home made 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 affords a richer word. To complete, Greek yogurt and bergamot ice cream – created from the citrus fruit discovered throughout Athens – gives a shiny, aromatic near a night soundtracked by Nineteen Seventies and Eighties Greek tunes.