Prolific Mayfair-based restaurateur Samyukta Nair is to open her first Italian restaurant next week – Nipotina, an all-day family-oriented neighbourhood venue in South Audley Street.
Turin-born chef Somaia Hammad (right in photograph) will lead the kitchen, while Luca Dusi (left), of Passione Vino in Shoreditch, has assembled a wine list featuring small and artisanal producers from across Italy. Samyukta describes them as a “passionate” pair – “they both know their disciplines, I think they’ve got along very well, with mutual respect. So it felt really collaborative.”
‘Nipotina’ is Italian for granddaughter, and represents Samyukta’s tribute to her grandfather, CP Krishnan Nair, the late founder of India’s Leela Palace hotel group.
She said: “My whole journey has been greatly inspired by my grandparents. Everything I know now, I know through them, so it felt a warm, comforting name.”
The founder of restaurants Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair, Socca and most recently Koyn (whose Thai dining room opened in June this year), Samyukta is pitching Nipotina as filling a gap in the Mayfair eating market.
“There are many good Italians nearby — and I think the Dover is spectacular — but most don’t aren’t for dropping in, they aren’t dip in, dip out kind of places open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“There isn’t really anywhere to go for breakfast in the area, or to go in at about three for a glass of wine with a friend. Where am I going? Apart from a hotel or members’ club, essentially — where can I go for an aperitivo, or just a slice of pizza?
“I wanted somewhere that felt a lot more relaxed. My friends have kids; where are they taking their kids to lunch? Or if my dad and I want to have a quick bite, and we want somewhere casual but still comforting— that’s what I want.
“It’s got a lot of natural light, and I quite like that you can really see out and take note of the world and know where you actually are. And it feels quite leisurely. It doesn’t feel transportive; you’re very much in the heart of Mayfair.
“In the evenings, we’ll be candle-lit and have ambient music, and it will feel very neighborhood-y. So it’s going to have its moods through the day, which any restaurant should.”
Nipotina launches next Monday, 4 November, and is open seven days a week.
