We’ve got some dear friends who always visit the NPG on their trips to London. Often for the Annual Wildlife Photography exhibition. This time we joined as members so we can see all the exhibitions, get free cloakrooms, discount off food etc – we’re like a walking Which? Guide.

The place has had a major revamp – not that you can really tell. They’ve changed the colour of the walls maybe?  And installed a new swanky restaurant – Richard Corrigan at The Portrait. Top floor with ‘fabulous views from every seat’. Allegedly

The membership gives you anytime entry to exhibitions and, with Hockney at £23.50 each, the membership cost is quickly recovered. So, David Hockey’s portraits. You know, that chap really can draw. Unlike, say, D*mian H*rst. The sheer dedication to his art, the quality of the line in pencil, crayon or brown ink is wonderful, as well as his photography and iPad works. So, it has to be said, is his forethought in dating, signing and keeping all his work!

We rounded off the visit with lunch at the new 4th floor Portrait Restaurant. Only table availability was at 2:15, so potentially a tight squeeze for a train at 4:30, but the service rapid and efficient despite the place being absolutely rammed. 

So, two courses £34.00. First course celeriac soup. Brilliant. Small crunchy croutons, tiny cubes of apple and herb oil. Second course Beef cheek. Not brilliant – it came with picked cabbage – with gravy!? Not quite inedible but certainly not enjoyable. By the time we added in wine, water and camomile tea the bill with member’s discount came to over £120…so probably not on the return list…

Restaurant The Portrait

2 Course £34 / 3 Courses £39
Available for parties of up to 6 guests.
12 pm-3 pm | 5 pm-6 pm

Bentley’s Bread Basket, Cultured Butter 4

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Celeriac Soup, Truffle, Apple, Chantilly

Leek Tart, Goat’s Cheese, Chicory

Romaine, Bayonne Ham, Parmesan, Romesco

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Beef Cheek, Coconut, Peanut, Lime

Guinea Fowl, Nduja, Cauliflower, Pepperonata

Roasted Onion Squash, Cashew Houmous, Feta