Trust by Modou
Secret tasting‑menu, 1132 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8TD
£75.66 for 2 x 5 course tasting menu, plus drinks and tip
Modou Diagne, famously rose from kitchen porter to head chef at Six by Nico and later took over to establish 111 by Modou. Trust by Modou is his latest adventure that ditches the traditional menu entirely. For a very fair £30 per person, you’re invited to surrender control, enjoy a five‑course tasting experience, and scribble down your guesses on what’s on your plate, until the reveal at the end .
Atmosphere & Service
The vibe is sleek and intimate, with a moody, stripped‑back décor that lets the food take centre stage. But, the ambience faltered not from the design, but from the seating layout and borderline “over‑sharing” among diners. Being seated too close to others in the restaurant meant overhearing their guesses and discussions, not ideal for a concept based entirely on mystery.
The service from staff seemed well intentioned, although they mishandled a kitchen mess up: stale sourdough that was returned and replaced with... stale sourdough that had been toasted. Worse, it remained on the bill, including tip and charity donation. That kind of oversight chips away at trust faster than any dish can redeem it.
The Food
Here’s how the courses stacked up:
Starter (Squash velouté with feta, pumpkin seeds, crispy sage)
A sharp, tangy kick from feta—more goat‑cheese‑like—and the sage added a lovely salty crunch. Great contrast and flavour, but portion size felt too modest for our palates.
Course Two (Beef ragout with tomato ragu, confit potato, Parmesan foam)
A comforting riff on mince and tatties accented by a cheeky salty Parmesan foam. Though the potato felt slightly elusive - something odd about its preparation, we wondered if there had been some salty tiny fish included - this was a solid plate with finesse.
Course Three (Brandade with Tom Yum, pickled and confit fennel, olive tapenade, dill oil)
Ambitious, but miss‑hit. Overcooked prawns turned rubbery, and the multitude of bold flavours felt competitive rather than collaborative—chaotic rather than chaotically inspired.
Course Four (Pork cheek with spiced raisin & tomato chutney, garlic aioli, char-grilled pepper)
Basil’s standout. Savoury pork cheek paired with sweet raisin chutney and gentle garlic aioli was comforting and rich, a dish with emotional texture and satisfying depth.
Dessert (Matcha panna cotta, crème fraîche sorbet, brown sugar crumb, lemon gel)
Elegantly balanced and creamy, with a palate‑cleansing smoothness from the sorbet and sharp lift from the lemon gel. One of the most successful and cohesive dishes of the night.
Final Thoughts
Trust by Modou is a bold concept, one that holds creativity, spontaneity, and storytelling through food at a genuinely accessible price point £30, a good price for a five-course experience in Glasgow .
But brilliance on paper needs follow-through in practice. The stale sourdough faux pas was a shaky start; encountering fellow diners’ guesses eroded the immersive hush that a “surprise” dinner deserves. Course execution was patchy—some dishes hit the mark, others less so.
Would we recommend it? Absolutely, for adventurous eaters, yes. The experience is inventive and worth a one-off jump into the unknown. But as a repeat venture? We remain unconvinced.
Three Things to Know
- The concept is king— Five-course mystery tasting with no menu for £30. Designed to be immersive, unpredictable, and perfectly made for curious palates.
- Execution matters - Clever ideas falter if foundational basics, like good bread and considerate table spacing, are overlooked.
- One-time thrill - If you’re game for a uniquely cheeky dining adventure, go. Just don’t expect to rush back.
Rating: 3 out of 5. Entertaining, creative, but uneven, and let’s be honest, a disappointing starter doesn’t forgive itself easily.