I’m not entirely sure how or why or what we were thinking but one Saturday about a month ago, with my brother in town, we somehow decided to visit Clapham, just for the sheer fact that it was easy to get to with the Overground. Now, I’m quite in love with the Overground with its air conditioning and, well, general over-groundedness but to travel to Clapham Junction just because we could was, in hindsight, absolute madness. Still, I managed to dig up the name of a restaurant I’d been meaning to try in Clapham for ages – Trinity. A phone call to them confirmed that their set lunch was available on a Saturday – £20 for three courses. Good, we had a place to eat.
This restaurant isn’t actually near Clapham Junction but rather Clapham Old Town, about a half hour walk through Clapham Common. That brisk autumn walk through the common was just what we needed to build up an appetite and at 1pm on the dot, we sat down, ravenous, in the restaurant.
We were first brought an amuse of fresh radishes and cod roe dip. We dipped and crunched our way through the plate and then when there were no more radishes, we kept the salty cod roe dip for our bread.
Sourdough buns were warm, crusty and deliciously chewy within – we snarfled down our first ones and they swiftly brought more over.
The radishes and the bread and butter and both still or sparkling water are all covered by a very reasonable cover charge in addition to the cost of the set lunch.
To start the menu proper, we had all opted for the Livers on Toast, Chanterelles, Fried Burford Brown (this was originally supposed to be a slow cooked egg but we were informed it was going to be fried). It was a generous serving and just a bit too much liver for me (I find it very very rich). Still, that’s just my own personal quibble – if you like liver, you’d love this.
Blai’s main course was a Hare Hot Pot, Bartlett Belle Carrots. The hare had been cooked and deboned and layered with breadcrumbs and nuts in the little pot – it was gorgeous.
My and my brother’s Grilled Plaice, Clams, Champ, Butter Sauce turned out to be a humongous portion of fresh seafood and mashed potatoes. That piece of fish in the photo was at least 4cm thick. I already feel full looking at the photo again!
Desserts were equally generous in size. Our Apple Crumble, Cinnamon Ice Cream was again a big serving of hot and nutty apple crumble. Like most apple crumbles I come across though, I just wish the apples were cooked longer for them to be softer.
Blai’s Plum Fool was the winner for me – all that “light” whipped cream and plum sauce went down a treat after the heavy meal.
We ordered tea and coffee to end the meal – needless to say, they were not included in the set lunch price. Jasmine was beautifully fragrant but oversteeped to bitterness.
Sadly, the espressos we had were also not very good, again too bitter. They came with generous pile of dark chocolate chunks though.
It’s a shame – these were a disappointment after the meal.
I still can’t believe it was £20 for three courses though and three very generous courses they were too. They may not have been the most refined dishes (gosh, did I mention the size of the portions?) but it was very good value for very good modern British food. It was a lovely long lunch and service was exemplary throughout. Definitely recommended when you’re in Clapham!
Trinity
4 The Polygon
Clapham
London SW4 0JG
Tue, 8 Nov, 2011 at 20:50
We had our wedding lunch at the Trinity, and it was really excellent. Such good value for 3 courses, being we could afford to feed 12 people. I really want to go back for an anniversary.
Tue, 8 Nov, 2011 at 20:59
It looks like such good food! I really like the idea of radishes and cod roe dip.
Tue, 8 Nov, 2011 at 21:02
I’ve heard great things about Trinity but not made it over there yet. It does seem good value for such lovely food and generous portions, especially on a Saturday. Gorgeous photos!
Tue, 8 Nov, 2011 at 23:12
Trinity I think is one of the most under rated places in London. We had an amazing dinner there and have been meaning to find an excuse to go back. But £20 for a 3 course lunch. A give away.
Wed, 9 Nov, 2011 at 00:11
ooh..I always wanted to try Trinity and their lunch course seems really reasonable.
Wed, 9 Nov, 2011 at 11:43
I have always wanted to try out Trinity!
Wed, 9 Nov, 2011 at 12:48
Oooh it looks lovely. I’ve been meaning to go for ages, but this might give me the push.
Wed, 9 Nov, 2011 at 15:46
I’ve been going to Trinity for years with my partner and 2 of our mates – it’s a little tradition we have going. I’ve seen them go through many phases with set lunches and menus and they’ve always been extraordinarily good value. The Sunday supper one was fantastic – a big, slow cooked piece of meat for the main course and a bucketload of chocolate pud spring to mind. I’ve also eaten the best snails ever at trinity – stuffed with oxtail ragu – the snails were actually really tender and the texture was amazing. It made me ‘get’ snails, finally. I’ve tried to re-create that cod roe thingy at home but sadly, it wasn’t as good.
Fri, 11 Nov, 2011 at 09:40
That plum pudding looks like the bees knees to me. Yum! I would go just for that
Mon, 14 Nov, 2011 at 18:17
deepa: How wonderful! Lunch really is a fabulous and affordable way to celebrate!
Alicia: It was a wonderfully fresh starter. I wonder what else they serve throughout the year!
The Ginger Gourmand:
Mzungu: Totally.
Kay: It’s such a good deal and there’s so much food.
mycookinghut: I’d say definitely go for lunch first if you’re nervous!
Lizzie: Definitely one for the list, I’d say!
Helen: Thanks for the tip on Sunday lunch – sounds brilliant! Glad to hear the quality and value has been consistent over the years.
Jacqueline: Light and fluffy yet creamy. Oh yes, it was excellent!