The heat in Mexico City is almost palpable. Every now and then, dark clouds sweep across the sky, momentarily shading the sun, as Maura Milia invites everyone to gather in the enchanting courtyard of Huset.
Draped in climbing plants, the venue boasts a retractable roof that provides shelter from unexpected rain showers. Radiant and full of life, her face glowing from strolls through the sun-drenched streets of Roma Norte, the former Bar Manager of London’s prestigious Connaught Bar takes her seat, ready to pour a glass of wine and share the story of her move to the Mexican capital.
Maura Milia, a New Beginning in Mexico City
In this vibrant city, alongside her husband Alex Lawrence, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Mr Lyan group, and their business partner Walter Meyenberg, an entrepreneur with a portfolio of restaurants and cocktail bars across Mexico, she is on the brink of opening three new venues under their newly formed company. «It’s called MWA, and Alex likes to say it stands for Maura with Attitude», Milia quips.
Indeed, it took a great deal of attitude and bravery to make such a life-changing decision, moving thousands of miles away from the place where she had grown both personally and professionally for a decade, under the guidance of her mentor, Agostino Perrone.
«I couldn’t sleep for two weeks before telling Ago. He was the first to know, I needed his blessing; I was looking for reassurance that moving to Mexico City was the right choice. We had a special spot at Mount Street Gardens for our debriefs, because he likes to walk, but this was such an important topic that we ended up circling Berkeley Square. We were so emotional that we couldn’t even look each other in the eye. After we got past the sadness of parting, he told me I had to seize this opportunity because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance».
Maura and the Connaught Bar
Maura was swept up in a torrent of emotions. She had joined the luxury hotel in Mayfair as a young girl and left just a few months ago as a confident woman and seasoned professional, sure of her decisions.
«I always thought I would leave the Connaught Bar only to open something of my own. After marrying Alex, our perspectives on the future transformed. We initially considered opening a place in London, but the initial investments were daunting. Skyrocketing prices, endless hours spent commuting, and the cramped confines of our apartment quickly wore us down», Maura reflects as the roof of Huset closes, providing shelter from the sudden downpour.
«It was during a conversation with Walter — whom I bonded with during my first guest shift at his cocktail bar, Brujas, and who attended my wedding in Sardinia — that the idea of collaborating and moving halfway across the globe took shape. By the end of last summer, our discussions turned serious, and we started exploring potential ventures». Thus, the plan to open three venues was born: two in Mexico City and one in Oaxaca, all set to debut in the summer of 2024.
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