You’ll find Socca in a quiet corner of Mayfair, a hop and a skip from Scott’s and the Connaught.
Step inside, however, and you’ll feel like you’re very much a hop and a skip from the southern coast of France.
The place comes to us from Claude Bosi (who seems to collect Michelin Stars like it was a hobby) and restaurateur Samyukta Nair (she’s the driving force behind places like Koyn, Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, and MiMi Mei Fair). And the place they’ve created, both gastronomically and design-wise, very much takes its cues from the laid back towns lining the coast, like Nice, Cannes, and Marseille.
Thus when you step inside you’ll find a summery space that’s plush yet not pretentious. It’s got a kind of airy charm to it, with natural light beaming through the large windows, almost winking at the well-spaced tables dressed in white linens. The furniture is a mix of classic wood and modern touches, with comfy booth seating ready to hug you into a food coma, and on the walls the eclectic artwork is hemmed with frames that look like they’ve been sketched on with a giant blue Sharpie.
The menu-fillers drawn from “fond childhood memories” that Claude has of his own family holidays spent on the Riviera. Expect the likes of scallops dressed lightly in orange and smoked pike roe; some brightly coloured baked Atlantic prawns with tomato & harissa; a plate of succulently tasty grilled confit lamb chops; and an utterly lovely bowl of rigatoni in octopus bolognese. Oh, and the name of the restaurant itself – Socca – is the French word for chickpea flour, so make sure to order some of their creamily delicious panisse (chickpea flour chips). And for dessert? You cannot go wrong with freshly baked orange blossom madeleines. They’re near perfect.
Like the menu, the wine list naturally leans toward the Med, but there are bottles from as far afield as Hungary and California, so they’re not dogmatic about it. Plus, there are cocktails and Provencal aperitifs too, in case you should fancy one. And in case you’re wondering…
…yes, you do.
NOTE: Socca is open now. You can find out more and make a booking at their website right HERE.
Socca | 41 S Audley St, W1K 2PS
Feeling peckish? Head to one of these excellent Mayfair restaurants.