Café Portrait (New Town)

• Following on from our Google Event we were keen to re visit the Portrait Gallery to have a closer look at some of the exhibitions
• T enough alliteration there was also a spicy soup thrown in the mix
• The pastrami sandwich with gherkins peeking out caught my eye
• Bruschetta with maximum mushroom
• The parsnip soup was super tasty
• Subtly spiced with a kiss of garlic
• The sandwich was a fine choice
• The pastrami was top quality and the gherkins added a little crunch and that distinctively sweetly sour taste
• The end result was satisfying and incredibly filling
• T get too involved as there was an over abundance of cucumber (I&rsquo
• EdinBloggette was keen to share her verdict
• The salad was dressed to impress and was lovely and fresh
• The portion size was a little more than EdinBloggette could manage &ndash
• All that remained at the end of our lunch was the base from one bruschetta
• The photography exhibition was by far our favourite
• Hopefully on our next visit the section of the gallery that was closed off will be displaying some more modern portraits
• Was a firm favourite when Caroline and I worked in the East End (this was before the gallery refit)
• Changed jobs mean that we are rarely around that part of town at lunchtime
• Putting up with the lack of tables and an obsession with cheese &
• Offers a light and airy space with beautiful tall arches of windows
• We sneaked through to the smaller back room where it is a little quieter and the selection of fabulous portraits on the walls gives a bit of a special feeling to the space
• The space and the quality of the offering mean that you do not feel you are in a canteen &ndash
• We were in for lunch and there were five main food options
• Caroline loved the onion soup but the tomato was my favourite
• Vegetable lasagne or chicken stuffed with pesto on dauphinoise potatoes
• Caroline had chicken with bean salad
• Both the chicken and potato dauphinoise were well cooked
• It was very lightly seasoned with a hand confident of the tasty combination of good quality ingredients
• Or even naked salad and this was just right
• Basil soup with a brie sandwich
• A homemade tomato soup with a good hit of basil and herbs
• The sandwich was a crispy sesame roll with cranberry jelly
• Was the clear flavour with the cranberry jelly adding a light sweetness and the walnut giving crunch and a lovely lingering taste in the mouth
• The Portrait Museum is a popular spot so at peak times there can be queues at the counter
• Classic combinations that are seasoned and cooked by a sympathetic hand
• I stopped there for a little bite after a long morning of exploring and was rewarded with nice hot chocolate and a delicious slice of chocolate cake
• The main area is light and airy while the back room is cosy and intimate
• The food is served cafeteria style with sandwiches
• While the portions may be erring slightly on small they are sufficient and leave room for the amazing selection of homebaking
• Cake had a really nice lemony flavour but was slightly drier than I'd like
• The Portrait Gallery is one of my favourite places to hang out beautiful buildings with thought provoking exhibitions
• We recently had their hot chocolate with marshmallows very rich and very tasty
• Their carrot cake is one of the best I've had very well baked and incredibly tasty
• Worth stopping by if you are going to the museums or even if you are just in the area
• Everything was ready on our arrival
• The food was first class and although we took our time there was actually cakes left to take away in a box provided by staff
• This is the second time we have visited and we are opositive it won't be the last

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