Portrait - London

While I like to look at london and try out new spots, there are also a few fair places I will try whenever I can. such a place is portrait, the restaurant in the top floor in the national portrait gallery. high above the crowds and the chaos of metalgar and leicester squares this sweet little restaurant is an oasis of rest and delicious. as hannah, a friend of my friend emily h, met for lunch in the center of the city, I knew only the place!

Great views good break. we spent the morning (and an hour after lunch) in the national portrait gallery. we booked here in advance and had one of the most beautiful lunches of our stay in london. pricey, but well worth it for quality of food and for the sake of clarity. atmosphere very light and pleasant.

The place is usually busy and summed, so best to book. it also has a good look at nelson's column. we went to the afternoon tee, a special january

For an overwhelming view over the skyline of the city with an equally overwhelming head of food to the portrait in the national portrait gallery. I love the national portrait gallery and was at many places when I have time to kill in london. but even I was shocked to find out that there was a restaurant on the top floor. they have kept it well hidden, which is confusing; especially when they show up and find that the view is phenomenal. how can they be so quiet? to find this true hidden gem, they have to go to the top floor of the gallery, wander through where the pictures are in a few sights on the way, then a little bit of a treppenkoffer and low and behold, there it is. we had luck getting a table on the window to lunch, which meant that we could see over nelsons column, metalgar square and over the river in the far away; definitiw a kodak moment. even though it was a bit of a gray day, the foodstuff

Portrait Gallery is consummate location to show off the city with a amazing view down Whitehall,with glass panelling surrounding the entire restaurant you are blown away by the view as soon as you vacate the lift on to restaurant floor. The Portrait restaurant affords you the relaxed setting to have not only a great view but welcomed conversation with your guests, unlike other restaurants here the environment is mellow rather then usual loud atmosphere of diners either clambering to talk to each other or the waiter. The staff are attentive and yet not over bearing, getting that balance of service and eloquence……..the location is another plus not only do you have one of London’s famous galleries downstairs but not a four minute walk are you from Trafalgar Square, were something is always happening.I decided to visit for breakfast having booked through opentable,where my request for a window table was honoured. We was sat down in a kindly manner with water severed as customary and once our orders were placed the food arrived no later than 8 minutes to our glee.The food was just as good as the view that captured us as we entered the room, satisfying does not begin to incapsulate the combination of service, view and food.It’s your choice as always but you must visit the portrait gallery restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner…..notice I didn’t say ‘or’.Cost of meal £20 £40 Group size 2 – 6 Location National Portrait Gallery St Martins Place, London, WC2H 0HE.Carlstimeout rating 8.5/10Writer C.Y