Case Study
Lights, camera... Aegean!
By setting the scene creatively, Greek cuisine supremoes Mazi bring Mediterranean flavours centre stage
Cinema buffs, carnival chants and bustling bohemian boutiques - Notting Hill is the vibrant, trendy, flash-the-cash icon of affluent West London. Just a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace, it’s often cited for loudly flaunting its fashion and film credentials, hosting a number of star-studded residents in its labyrinth of streets. That’s perhaps what makes the story of Mazi so special. Quietly nestled in London’s sprawling metropolis sits the small, sun-soaked slice of the Hellenic coast that found its way to being London’s pioneering Taverna - revolutionising the capital’s Greek food scene forever.
Authentic & Simple
Keep it fresh and uncomplicated to get that rustic look
Founded in 2012 by Christina Mouratogou and Adrien Carré, it was a heartfelt knowledge of traditional Greek simplicity and community that became Mazi’s defining strength. Christina explains the inspiration behind Mazi: "I started from a small deli in Chelsea 9 years ago. Then, on meeting my business partner, we both felt that the Greek food scene in London was very poor. That’s how the idea of Mazi was born."
"We both felt that the Greek food scene in London was very poor."Christina Mouratogou, Mazi
Its name taken from the Greek for “together”, Mazi’s passion to revive the intimate sharing traditions of Greek dining can be found in every aspect of its business. From the brushed white-brick stylings of its walls, to the light wooden paddles and platters of colourful meze, to its jar-centric menus of Tzatziki, Tiropita and Tarama. It’s these touches of authenticity that allow Mazi to capture the see-breeze feel of the Med.
Ride the Wave
Adapting to changing customer wants is key
Christina has seen a lot of change in the years since Mazi opened, and open mindedness is what has kept her restaurant thriving. "In order to keep relevant, you have to evolve with the times," she explains. "You have to consider current eating habits (gluten free, vegan etc), and you have to offer diners a really special experience."
"In order to keep relevant, you have to evolve with the times."Christina Mouratogou, Mazi
Of course, ‘special’ does not have to mean costly, and Mazi brings something fresh and unique to the table without splurging on over-the-top tableware. Alongside their legendary jar menu, they offer an assorted collection of pots, pans and crockery, and use earthy tones and sea-inspired designs to frame their food. From natural clays that accentuate the calamari, to the simple wooden boxes for bread, every dish has its own character.
Shop now >
Inspiration
Seeing is believing
But is Mazi’s iconic look entirely self-conceived, or does inspiration come from other sources? “The dishes definitely drive our imagination," Christina says. "Once we have perfected a dish, we start looking for the perfect plate to match it."
“Sometimes we visit a showroom and see a plate and get inspired. Every trip to a trusted supplier can end up in a whole new direction.” Christina Mouratogou, Mazi
And, as Christina explains, it can sometimes be the range offered by the restaurant supplier that can help influence their vision.
"Sometimes we visit a showroom and get inspired. Every trip to a trusted supplier can end up in a whole new direction. We just opened another restaurant, Suzi Tros, and Nisbets have been really supportive in helping us define our front of house proposition."
With Notting Hill as their set, bold simplicity, inspired flavours and traditional ethos keeps Mazi forever playing the starring role for London’s Mediterranean scene.
“One of our regular customers is a local, famous British film director,” Christina adds. “And he told me once that what we do here is like a theatrical show,” Christina adds. “Whenever it’s 6pm, we dim the lights, light the candles and open the doors.”
Shop now >"What we do here is like a theatrical show - whenever it’s 6pm, we dim the lights, light the candles and open the doors "
Christina Mouratogou, Mazi