Provençal bistro Socca in Mayfair has closed down suddenly, in what is an unusual backward step for its co-founders Samyukata Nair and Claude Bosi – separately, two of London’s most prolific restaurateurs in recent years.

The pair announced the move without any notice on Saturday (30 November), saying “It is with a very heavy heart that we have decided to close Socca, and tonight will be our last service… We want to say a huge thank you to all of those who have dined with us over the years, it has brought the team such joy to welcome so many. It has been an incredible journey.”

The indications are that the decision was relatively sudden. This week, the restaurant’s website was still advertising a new ‘festive fusion of art and culinary delight’ launched for the winter in November, a collaboration with online gallery Glassette under the title ‘Creators Canvas’.

The restaurant opened less than two years ago to a generally warm reception for its light and sunny cooking – although the new 2025 Harden’s guide notes criticism of prices that seemed “silly” – even for Mayfair.

Samyukta opened her latest restaurant, Nipotina, only four weeks ago and just a few doors along South Audley Street from Socca. It is understood she will retain the lease on Socca’s premises. She has opened a string of upmarket restaurants – all of them in Mayfair – since launching her UK career with Jamavar in 2016.

Claude, who also has Bibendum and Brooklands to his name, has scored a big hit with the Lyonnais-style bouchon Josephine he opened this spring with his wife Lucy in Chelsea. One of the most talked-about debuts in this year’s Harden’s survey, it will be followed by a second branch in Marylebone early next year.