Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

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charlotte_admin
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Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby charlotte_admin » Thu Sep 19, 2019 3:42 pm

What better way to celebrate ‘hump day’ than lunch with a great friend at Upstairs at Trinity, now open lunchtimes from Wednesday to Saturday..
 
I hopped on my bike and pedalled across Clapham Common into the Old Town, parking up in that fresh new space opposite The Omnibus known as The Polygon.
 
Trinity is looking stunning; its contemporary makeover some time ago still fresh and inviting; downstairs we were greeted by pretty flowers on each table, fresh white linen, green hues and light wood. We were welcomed and shown ‘Upstairs’ where we chose seats at the window, opened wide on a warm autumn day. All the tables, and so the chairs, are high, not ideal you might think for those with a buggy, but there was somebody there with a happy baby who dozed quietly for the duration (I marvelled - not sure mine ever did that!). 

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A glance at the menu confirmed it was one of those where I could have happily ordered and devoured the lot. There are several choices of starters, mains and puddings, all generous ‘tapas’ size, ideal for sharing.
 
We overcame indecision and started with the Cep arancini – earthy, spiced, incredibly moreish, topped with a dusting of parmesan, slightly crunchy on the outside and soft and completely delicious on the inside. I have thought of them daily ever since.
 
Next came the Roasted Delica Pumpkin with fresh goat’s cheese, sage leaves and quinoa. It almost pipped the arancini to the post, but I’m declaring it a dead heat, all the gold medals, joint first place. The pumpkin was lightly charred on the skin to give it a tasty crunch, while inside was soft and packed with flavour, the plate dotted with crispy sage leaves, smooth and creamy goat’s cheese and crispy quinoa – original in itself. Every mouthful heavenly.

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The Stem Broccoli, hazelnuts, bagna cauda and parmesan – crunchy, nutty, creamy, and as good as ever (I confess to having been to Upstairs at Trinity in the evenings and can never resist this plateful of iron-filled goodness) – arrived, along with the crispy, fresh and oh so light Fritto Misto with monkfish, meaty whitebait and squid, plus a small bowl of aioli to go with it and a zesty lemon to squeeze on top.
 
In the interest of tasting as much of the menu as possible we went for a pudding of Lemon Verbena Sorbet, Limoncello, which looked stunning when it arrived and tasted just as good. We were also given a cheeky taste of the day's special which involved ice cream, salted caramel and chocolate. Enough said.

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As well great food, Upstairs at Trinity is quietly expert at the aesthetics. The plates, the cutlery, the bottles of water, a nod to autumn with leaves hanging in muted colours from the ceiling. The lunchtime atmosphere is perfect - light, bright and airy, with music in the background and friendly service. And the prices are really reasonable. At just £15 for two plates rising to £25 for four (that’s £12.50 per head for four delicious, clever sharing plates), it’s a brilliant spot for lunch with a meticulous modern menu which puts excellent food within easy reach. I’d go so far as to say it’s a steal and I, for one, will be going back for seconds.

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Upstairs at Trinity
4 The Polygon, SW4
http://trinity-upstairs.co.uk
Open for lunch Weds-Sat 12pm-2pm
Dinner Tues-Sat 6.30pm-10pm
Sunday lunch 2pm (set menu) 
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Kirstie’s Mom
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Re: Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby Kirstie’s Mom » Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:33 am

Seriously don’t get this place .been a few times and whilst the food is ok the service was awful . Last time we went , after we ordered coffee , the waitress came over 5 minutes later and told us that since the next diners had arrived we could no longer have it since they needed the table back . I asked if we could drink it somewhere else and they said no . We didn’t doddle during the meal and were at the mercy of their serving . So despite spending £900 for 4 we weren’t allowed to finish our meal . Thank but no thanks - chez Bruce is far better.
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Moonlightdawn
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Re: Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby Moonlightdawn » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:05 pm

This restaurant review blatantly sounds like an advert: “all the gold medals”, “every mouthful heavenly”, “a brilliant spot for lunch”, “excellent food within easy reach” etc etc.

As opposed to an independent and objective piece of journalism. A bit off-putting.
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dudette
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Re: Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby dudette » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:49 pm

I went there with the kids for our wedding anniversary a couple of years ago. All the veggie options (there weren’t many) were cold so I ended up having a cold meal. Not been back. I don’t think it’s very veggie friendly. I went to the downstairs one years ago for my birthday and it was truly terrible. It’s obviously improved since then as it now has a Michelin star but I agree - if you’re going to be splashing out on a high end dining experience it’s hard to beat Chez Bruce!
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charlotte_admin
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Re: Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby charlotte_admin » Mon Sep 23, 2019 4:52 pm

Hi Kirstie's Mom,

Sorry to read that your experience was so different to mine. We found the staff to be friendly and helpful and the prices you describe suggest you perhaps visited the main restaurant rather than Upstairs at Trinity.

Lunch was so delicious and reasonable that I actually booked to return under my own steam (rather than in a work capacity) and my husband and I were there on Friday evening with friends. When I made the booking they made it clear that an early table (say 6.30 or 7pm) would be until 9pm or thereabouts, but we booked for 8.45pm so that wasn't relevant. The evening was more expensive than lunch but we all agreed it was still good value - four of us ate plenty of delicious food, shared two bottles of good wine and it was £50 per head, including service. 

Moonlightdawn, I'm sorry you don't like the tone of my review but it was written in good faith following an excellent lunch. Yes, Upstairs at Trinity did invite me along to review their new lunchtime offering, but the views are all my own. I'm a long-time foodie and an optimistic person. If my review seemed overly enthusiastic, that's because I really did enjoy it. 
 
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charlietheangel
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Re: Review: Lunch at Upstairs at Trinity

Postby charlietheangel » Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:16 am

I always find it sad to read negative reviews of somewhere we've really enjoyed over the years. 
We've dined at 'Upstairs' as a couple and with friends and each time have found the food delicious, interesting and the place itself to be fun - I love the sharing platter concept and the staff have always been polite and friendly.  I prefer the atmosphere in the 'Upstairs' restaurant over the more formal restaurant downstairs and often recommend it to friends.   

Most restaurants have a 2 hr time setting these days that you have to agree to when making the booking.  I agree that I'd be upset if I was told our time was up and we hadn't been pre-warned but if we knew our booking was only until 2100 then it's only fair to the restaurant not to blame them when they stick to it.
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