Melody Adams, the restaurateur behind Lurra and Donostia, redefines French food with Maset
Maset opens its doors this November, inviting Londoners to dive into French coastal cuisine from the Occitania region. Set on the buzzy, sophisticated Chiltern Street, Maset brings French food with a modern difference. Offering a lighter, brighter style of cooking, synonymous with the region and gently influenced by North Africa, Italy and Spain.
The menu offers a distinct change from traditional French restaurants, reflecting Melody’s time spent in the Occitan region and celebrating seasonality and British locality. Dishes unfold over five sections: Merenda, to start, les plats, sides and desserts, menu highlights include:
– Bouillabaisse croquettas – Maset’s take on the famous Marseille dish.
– Pâtes au Pistou – light and fresh spinach linguine, made each day, with a regional basil-based sauce, typical of Nice.
– Monkfish – whole tail, marinated in preserved lemons, cooked on the bone and served sliced, with a lardo veil and sea beets.
– Camargue rice – nutty whole rice from the salt flats south of Arles where the flamingos live, mixed with capers, olives, seasonal herbs – and dressed with fruity olive oil and verjus.
– Preserved Lemon Martini and wines are sourced primarily from small vineyards in France, Italy and Spain curated to be different from the usual wines.
Melody Adams, Founder of Maset, said: “We wanted to create a space that takes our guests on a journey through the South of France, where each dish tells a story, reimagined with a modern Maset touch. We’re delighted to see our vision take shape, blending warmth, style and authenticity.”
Cuisine de Sud is rooted in the history, the land and culture of the Occitan region. Maset takes inspiration from the region’s rich cuisine and heritage. The founders have spent years travelling through the South of France and bring to London their passion and unique interpretation of the region’s cuisine. Their vision stays authentic, celebrating the flavours and community of French food.
Maset is set to be a calm influence amongst the vibrancy of Chiltern Street, with a design-led, yet comforting and relaxed decor. The up-and-coming Parisian studio Haddou-Dufourcq has designed the space, crafting a pared-back yet characterful interior that feels like a welcoming home-away-from-home for both community regulars and first-time visitors.
