October at Oru: Trinco Takeover
Where it all began, the story behind Trinco
Hello from Vibushan, Let’s make vegetarianism great again.
For too long, vegetarianism has been a compromise… growing plants to feed livestock of the meat industry is an insanely stupid thing to do. It’s incredibly polluting, wasteful and is the prime driver behind deforestation.
There is a better way, an exciting way… it requires more innovation, more cheffing time per dish, but it results in a healthier lifestyle AND kinder relationship to the environment. What we are trying to do with Trinco is to bring people from as many backgrounds as possible together. Trinco is sustainable in its sourcing of supplies. We are pursuing being single-use plastic-free, and have eliminated it from our customers and are working on doing the same with supplies. built with sustainable materials, using the majority of organic produce, whilst remaining as accessible in price point as possible.
Trinco is short for Trincomallee. In Tamil, this is pronounced Thirovonamallay. It’s my birthplace, which we had to flee aged two. I returned with Paul (cofounder) to try and launch an eco hotel, this was two weeks of complete anarchy and chaos, we were not meant to be there, we returned home - London.
When we floated the idea of a SriLankan-influenced vegetarian restaurant and cafe to a few people we wanted to partner with, they literally thought we were insane… or laughed in our faces. “Dulwich, no, no, no, not in Dulwich, don’t do it this will be painful. Your chances of success are low.” And I now understand what they meant, the Dulwich customer is discerning, they seem to understand value better than most areas, when you deliver it, they appreciate it, when you don’t…you find out. Lordship Lane used to be known as the home of the independents. I hope we can somehow reclaim this title.
The Sutton story took a bold new direction, as the weather cooled, the all-singing, all dancing rooftop closed. We took the Trinco evenings indoors and launched a hifi bar/restaurant, collaborating with some incredible DJs. We hosted 2 weddings already, too. And the partnership between Trinco and the 150-seat Town Hall is going to be a fascinating one to watch. Especially as events are truly taking off. Check out this video to see the footage from Ground Provisions, a Trinco Night held with Lord Mic & Ebu Blackitude last month…what a night!
If you want to get in contact and discuss anything I’ve mentioned in this newsletter, please email me at vib@oruspace.co
There’s so much to share about Trinco from our favourite dishes and the culture that inspires our menu, to our rooftop garden and the homegrown produce from Sutton that now features on our plates! That’s why we’ve created a newsletter dedicated entirely to all things Trinco.
If you’re passionate about food, curious about the stories behind our dishes, or love everything Oru, we’d love for you to join us. Subscribe to our Tuck into Trinco newsletter, see you there ;)
Trinco, Off the Eaten Track
We’re delighted to share that Trinco has been featured in OpenTable’s Off the Eaten Track series, a celebration of the flavours shaping London’s dining scene right now.
They explored the bold, vibrant food at Trinco and our culinary traditions of Sri Lanka, spotlighting Vib as he spoke about reimagining Tamil Sri Lankan classics into plant-based dishes that still taste like home, such as the famous Mutton-less roll! This was a lovely opportunity to showcase the food at Trinco and delve deeper into the significance of certain dishes, as well as explore the story behind the origin of Trinco.
Thanks for visiting us, OpenTable!
Delicious Food, Special Cocktails and…GREAT Music
After a summer of partying on the rooftop, we knew we didn’t want that feeling to end. So we brought it downstairs, into the Trinco restaurant. And from that, the Trinco Listening Lounge was born. An opportunity to celebrate great food, great cocktails and great music…
We launched a new menu, with dishes inspired by rich, vibrant flavours and made to be shared. We have a selection of delicious and exciting pizzas, from the Chickpea Curry Pizza to the Seeni Sambol…we’d love to know which is your favourite! Our cocktail list has evolved; there are so many to choose from, whether you enjoy a sweet, sour or smoky cocktail.
Every week from Thursday to Saturday, join us for food and cocktails accompanied by our great vinyl selection (vlogs with Kat coming soon on how she sourced the vinyls locally!).
Trinco Nights!
Trinco Nights are the place to be at the weekend in Sutton! A place where music, community, and great food come together. Trinco Nights are off to an exciting start, from our Ground Provisions takeover two weeks ago to last week’s Halloween party with 0181 and Magni, which was a huge success (footage coming soon). And we’re only just warming up.
Coming up, we’ll be leaning into jazz night atmospheres, funk and soul selections, and a dose of Brazilian rhythm with London Soul Sound on the 6th of December, with more curated nights and guest selectors in the works. Stay tuned…
Celebrate the festive season with us at Trinco!
Celebrate this festive season with us at Trinco! From cosy catch-ups to full-on festive feasts, we have the space, flavours, and atmosphere to make your gathering truly memorable. Whether you’re planning a staff Christmas party, a family get-together, or a celebration with friends, we’d be delighted to host you. Enjoy a festive sharing menu, prosecco, and optional extras such as DJs and sustainably sourced decorations, all curated to create a seasonal experience you’ll remember!
For our full Christmas menu and more details on festive bookings, check out our Christmas Linktree, where you can explore everything from menus to pricing and event hire information. For bookings of 20 people or fewer, please use OpenTable to reserve your table via OpenTable. For groups of 20 or more, our Linktree provides full details and an enquiry form to secure your festive event.
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you at Trinco. With delicious food, carefully curated drinks, and a warm, festive atmosphere, this year’s Christmas celebrations are set to be something truly special.
From our rooftop garden, to your plate!
Above the high street, in the heart of Sutton, our rooftop garden continues to flourish, even as the colder months draw in. The beds are still vibrant with late-season growth, and we’ve been able to harvest a generous selection of produce.
Recently, we gathered three varieties of pumpkins and squash, alongside spring
Onions, Celery, Garlic, and Beetroots, with Brussels sprouts soon to come as winter settles in. The garden is more than just a food-growing space; it’s a living part of our community.
Our three resident chickens, Shanti, Chickpea & Rashmi, also play their role, helping us create a more sustainable, circular ecosystem on the roof. As we head further into the season, we’re excited to continue weaving these homegrown ingredients into dishes that reflect our environment, our neighbourhood, and our commitment to responsible, local produce.
From Coffee to Wine!
This month, we’re inviting you to deepen your love of Coffee and Wine with two very special events at Trinco Dulwich.
On the 19th November, we are teaming up with Assembly, our house roastery, to explore the vibrant flavours of their Coffee. The afternoon event will be an interactive cupping experience, where guests will have the opportunity to explore how we taste, perceive flavours, and why we enjoy the coffees we do. You’ll sample a wide selection of coffees and use an Assembly flavour wheel to connect flavour perceptions with colours and textures, a fun and sensory way to deepen your appreciation of coffee. You’ll leave with a bag of beans to brew at home, included with your ticket!
Then later on in the month, on the 27th of November, we are really excited to be unveiling our brand new wine menu and to announce our partnership with Dynamic Vines! Dynamic Vines is the UK’s leading importer of premium biodynamic wines, whose producers craft expressive, sustainable wines that reflect their terroir and the character of their makers. They are based just a few doors down from Trinco Dulwich, on Lordship Lane. Join us for a cosy, candlelit evening of discovery and indulgence as we welcome Lucy Rosedale from Dynamic Vines for a special festive wine tasting. Explore a handpicked selection of exceptional organic and biodynamic wines. Guests will enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on all bottles purchased on the night, making it the perfect opportunity to stock up for the season.
Two evenings, two incredible experiences come taste, learn, and celebrate the flavours of the season with us!
