Socca Restaurant
The French Riviera in London
Photography by James McDonald.
The traditional cuisine of the South
Socca Restaurant derives its name from the traditional rustic flatbreads made with chickpea flour, which are served alongside aubergine tartinade. The culinary offering at Socca pays homage to the traditional cuisine of the South of France. Rooted in seasonal simplicity and hearty flavors, the menu features Chef Bosi's personal favorites, including Provençal beef cheek with sand carrot and his mother's Tripe and cuttlefish gratin. Classic dishes like Ratatouille Provençal, Garlic snails, and Salad Niçoise are also available. Complementing the delectable cuisine is an extensive selection of French wines and a tantalizing array of desserts, such as Orange blossom madeleines with olive oil
The Perfect Match
Socca Restaurant brings the nostalgic flavors of the French Riviera to London, creating a charming blend of culinary delights and aesthetic elegance. Nestled behind sun-drenched blue awnings within a magnificent Edwardian building listed as Grade II, this establishment is the result of a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi from Bibendum in Chelsea and restaurateur Samyukta Nair from LSL Capital. Drawing inspiration from Chef Claude Bosi's cherished memories of his childhood in the South of France, Socca offers a menu that combines French and Mediterranean influences with elevated comfort dishes. The interior design, crafted by Fable Studio, pays homage to the artistic legacy of renowned Côte d'Azur establishments like Villa Santo Sospir and the boutique hotel & restaurant La Columbe d'Or, both of which attracted luminaries such as Jean Cocteau, Matisse, Miró, and Chagall.
The Space
Working closely with Samyukta Nair, Tom Strother, the designer and co-founder of Fable Studio, has beautifully complemented the classical elegance of the historic building, characterized by high ceilings, parquet flooring, and intricate ceiling moldings. Strother has added a touch of Provençal charm by incorporating wooden paneling, pristine white table linens, and a vibrant palette of blue tones. To enhance the French Riviera ambiance, brass scallop-shell sconces, half-net curtains, and handcrafted ceramics adorn the space.
At the front of the restaurant, the luminous 'Grand Salon' features cozy dining booths upholstered in navy blue leather, banquette seating adorned with baby blue patterned fabric, and a Breccia Violetta marble bar accented with smooth leather and bronze details. The hand-painted stucco walls, adorned with blue and white motifs reminiscent of the style of French Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy, are complemented by artworks from the late Swiss artist Albert Chubac. These works are part of a rotational exhibit program in collaboration with A Space For Art.
In the rear of the space, 'Le Petit Salon' dominates with a palette of green hues. Hand-painted murals, featuring whimsical designs inspired by Jean Cocteau's famous wall paintings in Villa Santo Sospir, create a captivating atmosphere. These murals, which extend to nearly every room of the villa, depict a psychedelic fantasy of Greek and Roman myths, a project completed by Cocteau over several months in 1950 while staying as a guest of French socialite Francine Weisweiller. Adjacent to 'Le Petit Salon' is 'Le Bar,' an intimate nook immersed in warm, earthy tones. It showcases a charming timber-lined bar and oxblood leather bar stools, providing a perfect setting for patrons to savor pre-dinner cocktails infused with Mediterranean flavors such as sweet-apricot Muscat wine, thyme liqueur, and lavender-infused maraschino.
