A Lovely Cafe

"Graft", 2008-2009
by Roxy Paine, 1966 (American)

When I first moved to the Washington, DC suburbs, there were still a few open lots along The National Mall.  One was located on the west side of the west building of the National Gallery of Art.  It actually belonged to them.  Within a couple of years of living here they transformed it into a Garden for some of their monumental sculptures.  The center piece is a huge fountain.  In the winter this area is transformed into a public ice skating rink.  In addition, there is a lovely cafe.  It serves delightful fare and is generally not impossible to get a table in.  The prices are just high enough to dissuade the tourist fast food crowd from dining there, but they're not so ridiculous as to be out of reach when you want to give yourself a little treat.

The occasion for my treat today was stellar lab results from my doctor's visit.

The cafe.

The Cafe's outdoor seating with an Art Deco Metro Entrance for ambiance.

Bavarian Turkey Sandwich with Mixed-greens Salad

Here's the thing: you can call any sandwich "Bavarian" if you include a couple of key ingredients: either a Kaiser Roll OR Pumpernickel Bread, Mustard,  and sliced Dill Pickle.  But it was good.

The view of the ice rink from my table in the cafe.

"Cheval Rouge", 1974
Alexander Calder, 1898-1976 (American)

"Four-sided Pyramid", 1997/1999
Sol Lewitt, 1928-2007 (American)

"Thinker of a Rock", 1997
Barry Flanagan, 1941-2009 (British)

Detail "Thinker on a Rock"