The Artisan Inn exhibits the original artwork of various artists and the public are welcome to view and purchase these pieces.
FEATURED ARTISTS 2018
Kathleen Knowling
Kathleen was born in St. John’s, where she still resides. The Newfoundland land and seascapes never fail to inspire her.
“I love to paint. I love to look at paintings. I love to talk about painting. To me it is a delight to sit on a rock and try to translate the scene before me and my emotions about it into two dimensions.
Paints themselves, fat tubes of delicious colour that promise a masterpiece, brushes and pencils, paper and canvas, call me and invite me to buy. A visit to an art supply store is hazardous to my credit card. I always come away with something.
The very act of painting itself inspires me. The application of thick, juicy paint to canvas or the splash of brilliant watercolour onto white paper exhilarates me. Their excitement never fails.
Photo sourced from St. Michael’s Print Shop
Sylvia Bendzsa
Sylvia Bendzsa is a St. John’s painter and printmaker. Active in the arts since early in life she has contributed strongly to the arts organizations and St. Michael’s Printshop. She likes to divide her art practice between etching, printmaking, printing on canvas and watercolours. She has had many solo and group exhibitions and her work is collected widely.
Also Represented by
Red Ochre Gallery, St. John’s
Devon House Craft Shop, St. John’s
Hollander York Gallery, Toronto
Paul Dolk
“Paul Dolk’s work is his stretch. He reaches out with a mindful heart and captures the breadth and width of a single moment. And with each extension of his lens, the air is stilled, illuminating the graceful power of a whale or the relentless intent of an eagle. That these moments depict the relationship between himself, wildlife and the sea is clear and inseparable. As when the sea drapes over the nose of a surfacing orca, each one describes the other.“Some photographers take reality… and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation” -Ansel Adams-
Paul Dolk’s photographs embody his spirit of devotion towards the natural world of Newfoundland, the thrill of the photographer’s process and a heart that is oceans wide and deep. Framing the fluid nature of a whale’s descension or extension into the sky, the images are stretched beyond the normal and proper limits of our expectations”
Paul’s studio is located in Open Hall on Route 235. Once in Open Hall, pass the Church and take the second gravel road on your left. The studio features a mural with a large Sperm Whale painting. See the COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS page for directions to Open Hall.
The Twine Loft will operate Between May 8th 2026 – October 17th 2026
Upcoming Schedule
Dates will only appear once details are added. This calendar is meant to provide up to date schedules close to the day of service, however we may include longer term schedules if they are already set.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast at the Twine Loft Restaurant at the Artisan Inn is served from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The last available seating is 9:30 a.m.
Guests of the Inn
Guests staying at the Artisan Inn may reserve breakfast during these hours.
Visitors and Guests Staying in Our Vacation Homes
Visitors who are not staying at the Inn, including guests staying in our vacation homes, are welcome to join us for breakfast. However, advance reservations are required, or you must call ahead before arriving.
Because breakfast service is primarily designed for Artisan Inn guests, reservations for non-guests are typically accepted after 9:00 a.m., depending on the breakfast reservations of in-house guests.
Minimum Service Requirement
When no Inn guests are scheduled for breakfast, a minimum number of guests is required for us to operate breakfast service. If this minimum has not been reached, guests with reservations will be notified the day prior to their reservation.
LUNCH
The Twine Loft does not serve lunch.
Food service is not available between breakfast and dinner service.
Guests joining us for drinks on the waterside deck may occasionally enjoy light beer snacks, but a full lunch service is not offered.
EVENING DINNER
The Twine Loft serves a three-course set menu dinner at scheduled sitting times.
2026 price: approximately $75-$79 per person plus tax Beverages and gratuity are not included.
Dining Times
Our evening dining times vary depending on the season and local events taking place in the Trinity area.
We are currently finalizing our 2026 dining schedule, which will be posted by April 1, 2026.
Guests are still welcome to submit reservation requests for specific dates, and we will contact you once the dining schedule has been confirmed.
On nights we offer 2 sittings, they start at 5:15pm and 8:00pm
On nights we offer 1 sitting, the sitting will either be set for 5:15pm or 7:00pm
There are certain weeks in the season we may operate for 6 nights only, typically Wednesday night is the night we won’t serve.
How to Request a Reservation
Click the Book Now section
Select Twine Loft Reservation Requests
Choose your desired date
Available dining times will appear if they have already been scheduled
If dining times have not yet been set for that date, you may indicate your preferred time in the reservation request form.
This form is an inquiry only, dinner reservations are not confirmed until we contact you to confirm and request a credit card to hold the reservation.
Drinks On The Deck: No Reservations Required
The Twine Loft is one of the most beautiful places to relax outside with a drink. One does not need to be staying or dining with us to drop in for drinks on the deck during the afternoon.
On days with a 7pm sitting the deck is open for drink service from 5-7pm to the public.
On days that start with a 5:15 sitting the deck is open at 3pm to the public. Some days we may have extra staff on and will advertise on the day of if we plan to keep the deck open until 8pm. You can call on the day of to confirm if the deck will be open past 5pm. There is no indoor space to drink if you do not have an indoor table reserved for dinner.
Artisan Inn Guest Services
Registration Guests may register for their Artisan Inn room or vacation home between 11:00am and 7:00pm. Check-in for accommodations is officially at 4:00pm, however, our staff are available to provide you with a town orientation and accommodations information if you arrive earlier and if your room or house is ready we will check you in as soon as possible. If you plan to arrive after 7:00pm please notify us ahead of time so we can make appropriate arrangements.
• Menu Format: Choice of two appetizers, two main courses (typically fish or seafood and meat), and a house-made dessert
• Price Per Seat: Dinner at the Twine Loft for the 2026 season is approximately $75-$79 per person plus tax.
• Dietary Accommodations: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (celiac), and lactose-free menus available with advance notice
• Dining Experience Length: Approximately two hours
• Reservations: Due to the small size of the dining room, each seat is reserved for the full evening dining experience
• Who Can Dine: Reservations are available for Artisan Inn guests and visitors exploring Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula. If your party includes guests under 19+ please review our information on dining with minors.
What Is Included in the Twine Loft Three-Course Dinner
Each evening guests enjoy a three-course set menu (see sample menu at top of page)
Appetizer – Choose One
Choice of two appetizers, typically including:
• one soup option
• one salad option
Main Course – Choose One
Choice of two main courses, typically including:
• one fish or seafood option
• one meat option
Dessert
A house-made dessert
Why Guests Can Feel Confident Booking a Set Menu Experience
Because our menu is based on fresh ingredients and seasonal availability, the exact dinner menu is usually confirmed the day before service.
When booking dinner, guests complete a dinner information form where they can note allergies, dietary restrictions, and strong dislikes. This allows our kitchen to plan a menu that works well for the guests joining us that evening.
Once the menu is shared, there is still time to discuss the possiblity of substitutions or to cancel your reservation if the menu does not suit your preferences.
The cook aims to ensure there is at least one suitable option per course for each reserved guest.
Dietary Needs and Allergies
With advance notice we can prepare three-course menus that accommodate:
• Vegetarian diets
• Vegan diets
• Gluten-free / celiac diets (few of our appetizer or main course recipes include gluten)
• Lactose-free diets
Providing this information in advance helps our kitchen ensure that everyone in your party can enjoy the evening safely and comfortably.
Example of a 3 course Vegan Menu at the Twine Loft
Please note this may not be your option on the day of your meal
Appetizer
Carrot Orange Soup
Main Course
Zucchini Croquets with Cashew Cream Drizzle served with Sauteed Asparagus and Roasted Lemon Potatoes
Dessert
Apple Crumble with Vegan Banana Ice Cream
Dining With Minors at the Twine Loft
Dinner at the Twine Loft is served as a timed multi-course dining experience lasting approximately two hours in a small and acoustically intimate dining room.
The Twine Loft dining experience is best suited to guests who are comfortable enjoying a relaxed, two-hour multi-course meal in a quiet and intimate dining room setting.
For this reason, the experience is generally best suited to adults and older children who are comfortable remaining seated for the duration of the meal.
During the months when we offer two dinner sittings, guests under the age of 19 must attend the 5:15 p.m. seating.
This requirement relates to our lounge license, which allows us to serve drinks on the deck. Under Newfoundland and Labrador liquor regulations, minors may not remain in the restaurant after 8:30 p.m.
We generally recommend that children be 10 years of age or older to dine at the Twine Loft.
While the dining experience is generally best suited to adults and older children, we have certainly welcomed younger guests who are comfortable dining in quiet, multi-course restaurant settings and have enjoyed our set menu meal.
Families considering dining with children are encouraged to contact us in advance so we can help determine whether the setting and pacing of the evening will be appropriate for the child in your party.
Expectations for Younger Guests
Children dining at the Twine Loft must:
• Order from the regular menu at the advertised dining price
• Remain seated at the table during the meal
• Maintain a volume appropriate for an intimate dining room
If children are using devices with audio, headphones must be used.
Children may not leave the table between courses to play outside unsupervised.
Bringing Food for a Child
Families may choose to bring a meal for a child if preferred. Please note that because reservations at the Twine Loft are priced per seat rather than per meal due to our limited seating capacity, the regular dining price still applies to each person included in the reservation.
Why These Policies Exist
The Twine Loft kitchen operates with one cook working from two household stoves, and during a single seating we often accommodate multiple dietary menus such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian meals in addition to our regular offerings.
Because of this limited kitchen capacity and the small number of seats available each evening, we are not able to offer children’s menus or adjust the pacing of service once dinner has begun.
Accessibility
The first floor dining room of the Twine Loft is wheelchair accessible.
We also offer:
• one wheelchair-accessible washroom
• a wheelchair-accessible waterside deck
Guests using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers are encouraged to inform us when making their reservation so we can discuss parking and access options.
Because our property uses gravel surfaces for drainage during high tides and heavy rain, we recommend that guests using wheeled mobility aids be dropped off directly at the access ramp in the Twine Loft driveway.
Dress Code
There is no formal dress code at the Twine Loft.
Many guests choose smart casual attire, particularly when celebrating special occasions. At the same time, we understand that many visitors are travelling and packing light, so comfortable travel clothing is always welcome.
Seating and Table Requests
The Twine Loft dining room is designed as a small and intimate space, and many tables offer views of the harbour or historic Trinity.
If reservations are high on a particular evening, dinner may be served on both floors of the Twine Loft. When bookings are lighter, service will take place on the main floor only.
Our reservation form includes a section where guests may indicate mobility needs, which helps us plan the most appropriate table locations.
Because the dining room contains a mix of table sizes and layouts that change depending on the reservations for that evening, we are unfortunately unable to accept requests for specific tables or window seating. Tables suitable for your party size are assigned on a first-come basis.
Making a Reservation
Guests may contact the Twine Loft at 1-709-464-3377 to inquire about dinner reservations.
The easiest way to request a reservation is through our online booking system. Please click BOOK NOW and submit a reservation request through the Twine Loft reservation page.
If you reserve by telephone, you will still be sent a digital reservation form to complete. For this reason, many guests find it quicker to submit their request directly through the online booking system.
We do not accept dinner reservations by email, as important messages can sometimes be missed due to spam filters.
Please note that reservations submitted through the online system are requests only. We will contact you to confirm whether space is available.
You will only be asked to provide a credit card number to hold the reservation once we are confirming your request.
Confirming a Reservation & Credit Card Holds
The Twine Loft generally requires a minimum of six guests booked on a given evening to operate dinner service. Exceptions may occasionally be made for guests staying in Artisan Inn properties.
Once your reservation request has been confirmed, a credit card number is required to hold the reservation.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
• $25 plus tax cancellation fee per guest if the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours of the dining time
• Full meal price charged per guest if the reservation is cancelled within 4 hours of the scheduled dinner time
• For groups of five or more, the full meal price per guest will be charged if the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours
Whenever possible, we will make every effort to refill seats for last-minute cancellations so that charges do not need to be applied.
Credit card information is securely stored through our payment processing system, Stripe. Once entered, only the last four digits of the card are visible in our system.
If a charge is applied, it will appear on your statement as Artisan Inn Twine Loft.
Pricing Per Seat
Dinner at the Twine Loft for the 2026 season is approximately $75-$79 per person plus tax.
Because of our limited seating capacity and the structure of our set menu service, reservations are charged per seat occupied in the dining room rather than per guest ordering a meal.
This means that if guests choose to share a meal, opt out of a course, or request smaller portions, the price per seat remains the same.
Dining During Your Visit to Trinity
Many guests plan an evening at the Twine Loft Restaurant as part of a full day exploring Trinity, Newfoundland and the Bonavista Peninsula.
Visitors often join us for dinner when visiting Trinity to:
• Walk through the historic streets and visit the Trinity Historic Sites
• Attend a Rising Tide Theatre performance
• Whale, iceberg and bird watching in Trinity Harbour
• Explore coastal trails around Trinity Bight like Gun Hill and Skerwink Trail
• Explore the UNESCO Global Discovery Geopark
An evening at the Twine Loft offers a relaxed way to conclude a day of exploring the region.
Artisan Inn guests may reserve: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, or 9:30 AM
Non-guests may reserve: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, or 9:00 AM
9:30 AM is only available to non-guests if Artisan Inn guests are already booked at that time
Walk-ins: Accepted as space and staffing allow, but not guaranteed.
The Twine Loft will close for breakfast service once the final reservation is completed, even if that occurs before 9:30 AM.
Season Dates: The Twine Loft breakfast service operates from May 15 to October 20 annually.
Reservation Note for Non-Guests
If you’re not staying at the Artisan Inn, please note that your breakfast reservation request will only be confirmed on days when our own guests are already booked. If we are not currently planning to open that morning, you may be added to a contact list in case more reservations come in and we decide to open.
This situation is most common in early May and late October, when guest volume is lower.
The Twine Loft offers one of the best selections of wines and scotches on the peninsula. The Restaurant is one of only a few in the province to have a full time certified sommelier on staff available to consult with diners at their table in order to help with their selections.
Marieke Gow, the daughter of owners John and Tineke Gow is not only the Inn’s manager but is also the Twine Loft restaurant’s sommelier. She became passionate about wine as an undergrad studying in St. Pierre. Following graduation from Memorial (BA) her passion became her career path when she was accepted into Algonquin College’s Sommelier Program in 2008. The Algonquin Sommelier Program is an internationally-recognized program whose graduates include nationally celebrated wine writer Natalie Mclean as well as Stacey Metulynsky, host of the Food Network’s show “This Food That Wine”.
During her studies Marieke was one of a few chosen for an internship at Divino Wine Studio in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Antonio Mauriello, recently named “Wine Person of the Year” by the National Capital Sommelier Guild, personally trained Marieke during a 3 month program. After the internship she became the establishment’s sommelier and stayed on until graduating from the Sommelier Program with honours in 2009.
Since graduating Marieke has returned to Newfoundland and the family business as one of the province’s most highly trained sommeliers.
Her philosophy regarding her work is simple, create a list that works with the menu, pleases any type of palate and offer excellent choices no matter how much one wishes to spend or drink. Marieke can be found in the dining room on most nights, so don’t be shy to ask for her advice when you see her even if the only thing you know about wine is what you like and what you don’t!
During the six months the Inn is closed (Nov 1-May 1) Marieke takes time to visit and study wine regions of the world. During the winter of 2010-11 she visited the many great Canadian vineyards in Niagara, ON as well as wineries in New York State and Australia.
The Wine List
The list has been designed to offer a wide variety of wines from regions worldwide with bottle prices ranging from $28 to $295. White, red, rose, sparkling and dessert wines make their way onto the well considered list.
6 wines (3 whites and 3 reds) are available by the glass, each selected with the Twine Loft’s delicious menu items in mind. Smaller 350ml bottles of quality wines such as Bordeaux, premium Australian wines and sparkling wines such as Henkle Trochen and Veuve Cliquot are also found in our cellar, perfect for sharing between couples.
Unlike many other provinces in Canada, restaurants in Newfoundland may not re-cork unfinished wine bottles and allow diners to leave with them. However, our sommelier believes that one should enjoy their wine to the last drop while still consuming responsibly. As a result, a unique practice has been developed for couples and parties who wish to enjoy a wine only available by the bottle, but are unable to finish it. Guests may ask their server to hold and properly store their bottle for 24 hours so that they may return to enjoy it at a later time. This might mean returning on a sunny afternoon and enjoying the last glass on the deck or having it served at the dinner table if guests return for another meal. As there is no taxi service in the Trinity area this practice is especially helpful to diners who must drive back to surrounding communities at the end of the night.
The Newfoundland Liquor Cooperation does not allow for BYOB in restaurants. However, if you are planning a very special occasion and would like to enjoy a specific wine with your meal, please contact us ahead of time and ask for our sommelier. If it is not already on our list, but available in Eastern Newfoundland, our sommelier will do what she can to find it for you and have it ready to serve when you arrive for your meal! Please give at least two weeks notice for such requests as it might require sourcing from St. John’s.
Scotch
The Scotch list features over 10 fine scotches including 15yr Highland Park, 12yr Lagavulin and Johnny Walker Blue Label. Our most expensive scotches are served to guests in our whisky glasses made by the World Famous Ridle Glass Company, perfectly shaped to enhance aromas and flavours as you drink. Irish, Canadian and American whiskies are also listed.
Cocktails
There is nothing better than sitting on the deck with a Martini, Cosmopolitan or Caesar mixed with Newfoundland made Iceberg Vodka.
Beer
The Twine Loft is proud to support local product and offers 6 beers from the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company brewed right here in Newfoundland. These beers come in a variety of styles including lagers, traditional ales, and cream ales and are an excellent match to Newfoundland cuisine.
Specialty Coffees,Teas & Liqueurs
Dinner shouldn’t end with dessert, but a good aperitif! Wind down from a long day of exploring the Trinity area with one of the Twine Loft’s many specialty hot drinks including Irish Coffee and Blueberry Tea or sip on a liqueur.
The Twine Loft Restaurant at the Artisan Inn in Trinity, Newfoundland offers a relaxed and intimate dining experience centered around thoughtfully prepared seasonal meals. Located in the heart of historic Trinity, the restaurant welcomes both Artisan Inn guests and visitors exploring Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula who are looking to enjoy a memorable evening meal.
Dinner at the Twine Loft is served as a three-course set menu prepared fresh each day using seasonal ingredients. The experience is designed to be unhurried and welcoming, whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying an evening out during your visit to Trinity.
Many visitors to Trinity, Newfoundland include dinner at the Twine Loft Restaurant at the Artisan Inn as part of their time exploring Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula.
