Trullo in Islington

I've FINALLY managed to make it to Trullo, the little italian on St. Paul's Road. It's generated quite a buzz since it opened last year, and I've been dying to go.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so you will have to content yourself with this PR shot from outside the restaurant (and my humble words).


The decoration is understated, there are few tables and the kitchen is open. My kind of joint already. This is a joint venture between someone from the River Cafe and a graduate of Fifteen. So the unpretentious, friendly, italian theme would be de rigueur.

The food was outstanding. Really. Beautiful little steak tartare for starter, then pumpkin ravioli with a creamy gorgonzola sauce, set off by a judicious sprinkle of chili. The secondo, a baked seabream with lentils was impeccable.

Desert was rubbish, though. A quince and chocolate tart, boring, mousse topping over a pie crust. But the mousse was correct, and the pie crust impeccably crunchy. It was just boring and did not taste of quince. But desert is often rubbish in Italian joints, so points for authenticity.

We had a bottle of house wine (an unassuming little red from Sicily), a shared antipasto, two primi, a shared secondo a and a shared desert. The bill was £65 pounds, which is incredibly reasonable. Considering what you pay for rubbish food in this city, I will definitely be returning to Trullo on a regular basis.

The only criticism I would have, and it is unfortunately a rather grave one in my book, is that service was a bit of a mess. Granted, I arrived at 10pm, and they were just having an off night. That happens. They were extremely courteous and apologetic about screwing up my order, though. I won't hold it against them.

I've just found my new favourite local restaurant. Hurray. Adios Bistrotheque.

Infos
300 St Paul's Rd
London N1 2LH
020 7226 2733