Apart from its splendid architecture, outstanding modern art collection and first class occasional exhibitions, Pallant House serves excellent food in beautifully designed courtyard beeath pleasch plane trees, and offers views all round of a fine city-scape.
We had hoped for lunch in the courtyard but seemed set for disappointment among tables either occupied or reserved, until a very helpful manager solved the problem. He simply walked into the building, picked up a table and placed almost where we stood, then returned with two chairs. A menu quickly appeared and we were able to order from a range of interesting meals catering for all dietary requirements. Not having problems with any of these, we agreed on smoked trout tart each with fresh juice to drink.
The tart was delicious and while finishing our drink we had an opportunity to look about as well as upwards. Two sides of the courtyard have building contemporary with Pallant House, with reflections of one wall and its neighbours in the plate glass doors. This view also includes the pleached plane trees, just then coming into leaf. From inside the house an equally interesting view is enhanved by art works from the permanebt collection. The generous windows elsewhere in the house take in the skyline including the cathedral spire.
It is not usual for me to visit an exhibition and come away with almost as many images of the surrounding as photographs of the works displayed. This was worth doing and I hope anyone viewing the images will agree.
The various Pallant area streets are geographically identified as North, East etcetera. The view along them shows why they must be among the most desirable places to live in this very desirable city. Some of the cars parked outside suggest the level of income need to turn desire into reality.
Certain cities in the world have photogenic areas: Berlin, Barcelona, Florence for example. In its understated way Chichester stakes a claim for comparison.
