A pair of chefs with impressive kitchen credentials have teamed up to open a tiny venture in Mayfair inspired by the new wave of bistros in Paris.

Launching in May, Neo Bistro will accommodate just 25 diners, with banquette tables that can be reserved and counter seats for walk-ins. Following the Parisian lead, it will offer a daily changing menu of “moderately priced” dishes dictated by market availability, prepared simply but with classical kitchen skills in a casual environment.

Head chef Alex Harper (right in photo) has worked under such luminaries as Marc Wilkinson (now of Fraiche on Merseyside), Raymond Blanc and Brett Graham of the Ledbury, and has been head chef at Texture and, most recently, the Harwood Arms in Fulham. He is being guided by Mark Jarvis (centre), who last year opened Hatton Garden’s Anglo, praised in the latest Harden’s Survey as “a superb dining experience”. Front of house will be overseen by Anglo’s Nick Gilkinson (left).

Jarvis explains: “The Neo Bistro movement has totally transformed the cooking scene in Paris, bringing chefs, like Alex, who have trained in some of the country’s best kitchens, to a space where they can be freely creative with their skills and aren’t restricted by anything that they do. It results in a restaurant more attuned to the way people actually want to eat and the environment they want to be in.”

Neo Bistro, in Woodstock Street, will be open for dinner from Tuesday and lunch from Wednesday to Saturday.