lathany | Trinity - second year

We usually go out for a meal in the summer when the twins are away. We tend to choose a new restaurant each year. However, last year's, Trinity, was so good that we returned this year.

Olive sticks and radishes with a fish dip and freshly baked sour dough rolls with butter - This was the main part of the meal that was the same as last year. These were served when we arrived as a small extra course. We were recommended to eat the leaves as well as the more "normal" part of the radish and they went beautifully with the fish dip. The rolls were gorgeous and arrived fresh out of the oven; this year I remembered to wait and eat them with my soup (also, they were too hot to split at first). We were also asked if we wanted an aperitif, but we turned it down on the grounds we would be drinking five wines anyway.
Chilled English Pea and Mint Soup with Fresh Curd (Levin Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, France, 2010) - If you had asked me whether I liked chilled soups the answer would have been no. However, this one was simply amazing. Also it went really well with the fresh curd. The wine was also gorgeous (crisp, not too dry); I would buy more Sauvignon Blanc if I could be certain that this was what I would get. Plus, as promised, it went well with the food. Overall, my third favourite course and fourth favourite wine.
Poached Rock Oysters, Champagne Sauce, Pickled Cucumber, Squid Ink (Chablis, Domaine Gilbert Picq, Chichee, 2011) - I had not eaten oysters before, so this was something of a first for me. Turns out that I like oysters (although bateleur has pointed out that this just means I like good oysters), but I wasn't as big a fan of the rest of the course. It was all a bit salty and I wasn't that taken with the Squid Ink. The wine was fine (we were told it was pure Chardonnay), but neither of us particularly rated it. Overall my least favourite course and least favourite wine.
Roast Cornish Plaice, Steamed Sea Vegetables, Lemon and Croutons (Vermentino di Gallura, Cantina di Gallura, Sardinia, Italy, 2012) - I liked this much better. The plaice was beautifully cooked and the lemon, sea vegetables and croutons went very well indeed. I also enjoyed the wine (not too dry, also, I'm generally fond of whites from Italy) and thought it was a good match for the food. Overall my third favourite wine and fourth favourite course.
Breast of Duck, Potato and Confit Duck Terrine, Apricot Granola, Creamed Spinach (Foxglove Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2012) - This was simply the best course of the lot. The best food and the best wine. The duck was absolutely gorgeous and perfectly cooked. The apricot granola just worked (yes, apricot muesli) and the terrine and creamed spinach matched beautifully. The wine was a lovely rich red that tasted strong and was gorgeous. Favourite food and favourite wine.
Poached Squat Peach, White Chocolate Parfait and Hibiscus (Moscato d'Asti Vietti Cascinetta, Piedmont, Italy, 2012) - A really excellent course which would have won first place if not for the duck. The parfait was lovely and went well with the peach. Sadly, neither of us could particularly taste the hibiscus (little flowers that we ate), but this wasn't really an issue. The wine was a sweet dessert white. Overall my second favourite course and second favourite wine.
Coffee and lemon macaroons - Similar to last year, but a lemon macaroon rather than a caramel one. As ever, bateleur passed on the coffee (although he tried a small sip), but I got two cups out of the pot and my macaroon was lovely.

As for last year, almost everything was part of the menu price; the exceptions were the coffee course (£4.00 for two cups and macaroons) and the water (unlimited sparkling or still water for £1.50 per person), which we considered a good deal; plus the service charge (12.5%). The radishes and dip/rolls and butter were not separately charged for.

We walked to and from Clapham Junction which meant we got slightly rained on for the journey there, but it was good for the journey back.