I visited Trinity with my partner for a special occasion. We booked the 4-course lunch menu (£90pp) months in advance, excited by the glowing reviews, and timed it as part of a special trip to London to see Coldplay. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations, and we both left feeling that the £267 bill was difficult to justify
For the first course I had the tuna ceviche which was very fresh but I found the flavours very underwhelming, while my partners galantine of guinea hen was better but nothing outstanding.
The second course was stronger. My rabbit dumplings were the highlight of the meal and were flavourful, and well executed. My partner had the veal sweetbread, which he enjoyed, but admitted my dish was the standout of the two.
For the mains things dipped again. My monkfish was well cooked, but the accompanying ingredients felt mismatched. My partner’s lamb dish was serviceable but entirely forgettable; we both had to check our photos later in the evening to recall what we had.
Dessert was the biggest disappointment and left us finishing on a low note. My salted caramel custard tart was overly bitter, more reminiscent of a poorly balanced crème brûlée, and I left most of it untouched. Despite this, the plate was cleared without so much as a polite check-in. My partner’s honey soufflé was pleasant but flavour-wise closer to rice pudding than the kind of show-stopping finale you might expect at a Michelin starred restaurant.
The most enjoyable bites were the complimentary elements. The biscuits, bread, and the amuse-bouche were all exceptionally good which raised our expectations early on but were unfortunately overshadowed by later disappointments.
We were excited to try Trinity’s house gins which have been created to reflect each season. I ordered the spring gin, but what arrived was overwhelmingly smoky and bore no resemblance to the description on the menu. I left half untouched and asked to see the cocktail list again. Whilst reading the menu I noticed my drink tasted identical to the description of the winter gin instead. After pointing this out to the server, I was brought the correct spring gin which was delicious. However, the way the situation was handled left much to be desired. The incorrect gin was taken away half full, nobody checked whether the replacement was an improvement, and to my surprise two spring drinks appeared on the final bill. I had reassured the server at the time that the mix-up wasn’t a problem, but I hadn’t expected to be charged for something I hadn’t ordered and barely drank. While perhaps it could have been removed if I had pressed the issue, at a Michelin-starred restaurant I would have expected this to be proactively resolved.
The servers were attentive in the technical sense, napkins were frequently folded, crumbs cleared and we were asked if we have any questions about the menu a lot, but the service lacked the warmth and genuine engagement I’ve experienced at other restaurants.
Trinity clearly has a reputation for excellence, and perhaps our expectations were too high, but our experience was inconsistent and underwhelming. While there were glimpses of quality, notably the rabbit dumplings, complimentary bread and biscuits, and the corrected spring gin, the overall meal lacked any wow factor. We had hoped for a memorable Michelin-starred experience, but sadly left feeling that Trinity did not deliver. Unfortunately, it’s not somewhere I’d return to...
Read moreUnfortunately it’s been a while since we’ve been able to make a return visit to Trinity but honestly it was worth the wait. The food here is simply amazing and when you combine this with excellent friendly service in a lovely relaxing atmosphere you will just want to keep coming back. Well that’s personally how this place has made us feel.
We decided to take advantage of our holiday being cancelled by choosing to have a bit of a foodie week so therefore with no hesitation booked a lunchtime slot at Trinity. We arrived on a tuesday and was given a great welcome back by manager Ashley before he escorted us to our table. Once settled we were shown the menus where you had the choice of a Tasting Menu or the Lunch Menu where you choose a dish from each of the four sections. We chose to have the lunch menu and once we had made our choices we then met the sommelier and with his help chose a fabulous Francois Chidaine Le Chenin d’Ailleurs 2016 that complimented the majority of the dishes perfectly.
FIRST COURSE
We decided to start with the Tuna Ceviche , BBQ Gazpacho Consommé , Tomatoes & Basil that according to my wife was absolutely delicious. I chose the Tartlet of English Peas & Truffle which started nice and fresh but when got deeper into the the tart the richness from the truffle sent my palate dancing with delight.
SECOND COURSE
Next to come was a fabulous Sardine Bolognese Raviolo with a Tomato Butter Sauce & Basil. My choice was the Crispy Pork Jowl with Girolles , Summer Squash & Courgette Blossom which was another flavour sensation.
THIRD COURSE
It was at this point that we saw chef/owner Adam Byatt arrive in the restaurant and before the arrival of our third course he came over to our table for firstly an informal chat then to check that everything was ok. We told him that the food was amazing and how this restaurant has become a big favourite of ours so were looking forward to many more visits in the future. So now to the next dishes themselves and yes they were as delightful as the first two. The Norfolk Quail ‘jardiniere’ with Summer Butter & Lovage was just fabulous. I opted for the Turbot on the Bone with Coco Beans & Provençal Tomatoes which was absolutely sublime.
CHEESE & DESSERT
Before moving onto dessert we decided to have an additional Cheese Course consisting of six cheeses , crackers , chutney & salad. Now it was time for dessert where my wife chose the Cherry Soft Serve with Amaretti & Kirsch that as a cherry lover she absolutely loved. I decided on the Tartlet of Yellow Peaches , Syllabub & Pistachio that was not only delicious but artistry on a plate.
We finished with tea , coffee & madeleines to bring to an end a truly fabulous lunch. I can’t recommend a visit to this restaurant highly enough and personally will be returning sooner rather than later. The food , wine & service here is first class so get booking a table now.
Thank You Adam , Ashley and all your team for a fantastic lunch and look forward to seeing you...
Read moreI must extend my sincerest commendations to Adam Byatt for an extraordinary evening at Trinity, nestled in the heart of Clapham Old Town. Before delving into the remarkable banquet that unfolded over four unforgettable hours, it is only fitting to acknowledge the meticulous attention to detail that sets Trinity apart from its Michelin-starred contemporaries.
The impeccable service began well before our arrival, with a seamless and accommodating response to my inquiry regarding corkage for a £140 Meursault and a 1996 Château La Louvière. Upon entering the restaurant, these wines were promptly entrusted to the expert care of Trinity’s master sommelier, ensuring they would be enjoyed at their absolute best. From that moment, it became evident that the level of service at Trinity operates with an almost imperceptible precision—new cutlery appearing effortlessly with each course, tables discreetly refreshed, and the doors to an immaculate restroom (complete with Trinity-branded toilet paper) held open with unwavering attentiveness. The experience exuded a regal elegance, reminiscent of the meticulous orchestration one might associate with Champions League-level fine dining.
As for the food, it was nothing short of a symphony of powerful and harmonious flavors that left our table in moments of awed silence. Standout dishes included the exquisitely prepared pork jowl and a Châteaubriand, cooked with such precision that it seemed calibrated to the very second. However, it would be remiss of me not to dedicate special praise to the tarte Tatin—a dessert of almost mythical reverence. I was informed that the apples underwent a meticulous 24-hour poaching and maceration process, resulting in what was, quite simply, the finest dessert I have had the pleasure of experiencing in my adult life. To call it “biblical” would not be an exaggeration. The mystique surrounding this dish was only heightened by the discreet pre-arrival call from the restaurant, inviting us to order this delicacy in advance—an understated yet masterful touch that added to the sense of occasion.
Will I return to Trinity? Without hesitation. Yes, the final bill approached four figures for our party of four, but every single penny was justified. An evening of such extraordinary culinary artistry and impeccable service is a rare treasure....
Read more