The spiel? "Obika is, at the moment, the only mozzarella bar in the world. It combines the quality of Italian food with design which looks pretty Japanese,"
says Stefano Potorti, Obika Managing Director.
Which means? Italian ingredients, including, of course, mozzarella, or more specifi cally the DOP Buffalo Mozzarella from the Campania area, are delivered from Italy three times a week and served as part of a menu that also features salads, pasta and gnocchi, as well as coffee and cakes and an impressive Italian wine list.
Who's behind it? Obika is the brainchild of Silvio Ursini, who opened the fi rst bar in Rome in 2005, closely followed by Milan and then London (in Selfridges).
Would like to fi nd? More captive markets where "the population has enough money and wants to spend it on good food".
Would suit? Anyone who "likes real Italian food and is prepared to spend £22–26 per head at lunchtime and £35–40 in the evening".
Ideal site? "Somewhere with space for no more than 60 covers, as any more than that and it's hard to maintain the standard."
Future plans? The fi rst Obika site in the US will be opening in New York in September and the second London Obika will open near Trafalgar Square in October.
Potorti says he would also like to open another two New York sites and possibly another one in Windsor.
Why will this concept work?
The Italian answer to the sushi bar is unique as well as being the real deal in terms of ingredients, says Potorti.
Where? Second fl oor, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1 020 7318 3620 obika.it/en