18/06/2026
Clay's is 8 today.
Normally, I would be at the restaurant raising a glass with the team and celebrating. Instead, I am at home recovering from a broken back after pushing myself a little too hard over the last couple of months.
The good news is that while I am fuelled by painkillers, I am also working on a new menu. And honestly, I think it might be our best one yet. It feels more balanced, more exciting and more representative of what Clay's is all about than anything we have done before. If all goes to plan, you will be enjoying it by the end of this month.
Eight years ago, the world looked very different. Hospitality looked very different too. Running an independent restaurant today means thinking carefully about every decision and every penny. It is tougher than it has ever been, and like everyone else, we have felt the impact of rising costs and a world that seems to be changing at a crazy pace.
But I am not giving up.
Clay's still has an important place in this community and I still believe in what we do. Clay's still is a place where you can switch off from the noise for a few hours, eat food you love, spend time with people you care about and leave feeling a little happier than when you arrived, just like it always was.
I am also incredibly grateful to Sharat and our team. While I have been stuck at home the past couple of days, they have kept everything moving, looked after our guests and continued to care about Clay's as much as I do. We simply would not be here without them.
The future feels uncertain for a lot of people right now, but I am genuinely optimistic. Things will settle down. New opportunities will come. We just need to keep going long enough to see them.
So here is to the next chapter. For Clay's. For our team. And for all of us.
Thank you for supporting us over the last 8 years. We could not have done it without you.
And because it is our birthday, send us some love by telling me in the comments... what is your favourite dish you have eaten at Clay's over the last 8 years?
Nandana 💛
