Pity about the food

 The view is terrific. At the top of the  National Portrait Gallery (NPG)  is its Portrait Restaurant looking out over Nelson's Column

on to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and a lacy minaret of a dome that has something to do with Thomas Cook.. The subjects, whether Tudor or alive today (as for instance Germaine Greer) can make me think--either about how their subjects, time or talent of the painter. Not long into the meal last night at its restaurant I had one thought: I am not ever coming back.  ...

   I admit I have never had a meal in a London restaurant with a view--museum or otherwise--where the food was outstanding. But this was the worst. The lemon sole with crab finished me off..I sent it back. And that was after being assured that all the fish is delivered fresh each morning. (My companion, who also happens to be my husband and has never in our many years together EVER made a negative comment about food or service while in a restaurant, murmured that his fish wasn't good either.They staff couldn't know it but for him this was condemnation.)  Plenty else was not great. Portions were child sized (and we are not fans of my native land's huge ones). A side order of chips (French fries) had maybe seven fat ones. The asparagus starter was four skinny stalks in butter. When we asked for bread, a wood plank was brought to the table on which were two small rolls and a round of butter. And with a modest bottle of wine the bill was 90 pounds.
    The people who work in the restaurant are pleasant and kind. I was offered a different main course when the fish was taken away. I declined. So instead we each were given summer pudding desserts. Yup, this the lovely English dessert this time of year was minuscule--and dry. The three fresh berries that were the garnish were tasty. And that's it for a favorable review..

  A drink at the bar or maybe afternoon tea might be an okay way of enjoying the view without feeling depressed by the food. I think For views I'd prefer the bar at OXO tower or a coffee upstairs at Tate Modern..Anything more...Well I think I've made my point.

ONE TWO PUNCH

What a guy, Now that ever other lot coming up for auction at Christie's and Sotheby's is being touted as a masterpiece the word has lost its meaning so me just say that if you can get to New York in the next four or five weeks, go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and take a good long look at The Boxer.

  This is bronze is larger than life sized and is Hellenistic, created sometime between the late 4th and 2nd century B.C. when Greek influence on art was at its height. For many that will be easier than visiting its usual home in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome's National Museum. 
  Check out his boxing gloves; Greek style boxing concentrated on smashing your oppenent's face; the victor after a brief pause went on to do the same again--or try to. 
  Copper inlays represent the blood and scars on this boxer's face. It is his expression above all--noble and resigned--that makes this a moving, sobering emblem of a man imprisoned by the gifts that made him a champion. The wear marks on his hands were made by generation of living viewers touching them--an act of veneration; an attempt to gain some of his strength but presumably none of his pain.
   
This loan is on view only until July 15. It is part of a celebration of 2013, Year of Italalian Culture in the United States.