Trivet

Trivet, informal fine dining in Bermondsey

Trivet is an informal, high-quality restaurant located in the London neighbourhood of Bermondsey. It opened in 2019, shortly before the pandemic, and was founded by its two main owners, Isa Bal and Jonny Lake. The name comes from the age-old cooking utensil: an iron tripod placed over fire to hold a pot or kettle, and alludes to the warmth and balance that both partners consider values of the restaurant and their working relationship.

The concept is built around the relationship between food and drink. From the very beginning of the creative process, Jonny and Isa think about how dishes and wines work together, start from a simple idea and explore flavour and texture combinations with the team until they arrive at something new. The menu reflects that exploration of ingredients, dishes and drinks from regions around the world, inspired by the culinary history and international diversity of the surroundings.

Kitchen and front of house

The restaurant operates as a team effort: Isa and Jonny lead a small but dedicated group, alongside Head Chef Adam Tooby-Desmond and Head Sommelier Sofia Crepaz. The kitchen offers an à la carte menu available for both lunch and dinner service.

A wine list of more than 350 references

The wine list is arranged chronologically and traces the history of winemaking from its beginnings to the present day. It brings together more than 350 wines from classic producing countries such as Italy and France, and also includes references from Georgia, Armenia and Turkey in recognition of the origins of viticulture.

The founders

Jonny Lake began cooking as a volunteer at the meals-on-wheels charity Santropol Roulant in Montreal, Quebec, while studying for a university degree in physics and biology. His growing interest in cooking led him to train as a chef at the Institut de Tourisme et d'Hôtellerie du Québec. He then moved to Italy, where he worked at the Michelin-starred restaurants A Spurcacciun-a and Quintilio, both in Liguria, and with Italian chef Gualtiero Marchesi at L'Albereta in Lombardy. In 2005 he settled in the UK to join The Fat Duck, where he was Head Chef from 2009 and later Executive Head Chef of The Fat Duck Group. He left the restaurant in 2018 to develop personal projects and collaborate with Isa Bal at Trivet, where he has led the team to Michelin recognition: one star in 2022 and 2023, and two stars in 2024.

Isa Bal began his career in hospitality more than twenty years ago as a commis sommelier at The Vineyard at Stockcross, near Newbury. He is recognised as one of the world's leading sommeliers and won the title of Best Sommelier of Europe in 2008. He worked for more than twelve years as Head Sommelier of The Fat Duck Group, where he collaborated closely with the kitchen team and developed new ways of pairing food and drink with highly inventive combinations. He passed his Master Sommelier exams in 2009 and is a respected member of the international sommelier community. In 2024 he received the LEGEND award from Top100Sommeliers, was featured in the Top 50 Sommeliers list by Harpers Wine and Spirits and received the Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award at the Catey's, recognition linked to his work in driving, nurturing and mentoring the training of new generations of sommeliers at Trivet and beyond.

Spaces and experiences

In addition to the restaurant, Trivet has a wine bar and a terrace. The establishment offers a tasting club, the Trivet Tasting Club, with memberships available for purchase, and private dining service for events or group bookings. It also offers experiences and gift vouchers, and a shop where wines and accessories can be purchased, as well as Trivet products to enjoy at home.

Reservations and contact

Online reservations are accepted for groups of up to six guests. For bookings of more than six people, the restaurant asks that you contact them directly by email. Enquiries are directed to specific addresses depending on the subject: press, private events, commercial opportunities and recruitment.

Location and contact

36 Snowsfields, London. SE1 3SU · Phone: 0203 141 8670 · Email: info@trivetrestaurant.co.uk · Opening times: Lunch: Wednesday to Saturday, 12.00 – 14.00. Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, 18.00 – 21.00 (terrace closes at 22.00). Wine bar: Tuesday, 17.00 – 23.00; Wednesday to Saturday, 12.00 – 23.00