Tuesday 16 January - Cantine de Quentin 17

I took a walk around Batignolles this morning and decided to get an 8 euro haircut at the place near Le P'tit Canon.  It was the same as last year. The barber probably came from north Africa and there was middle eastern music playing.  I must have been his first customer as he laid out three pairs of scissors, two combs, a brush, a cutthroat razor and numerous attachments to his clippers. The operation was conducted in complete silence with occasional breaks for him to take some tea. I now have a good, if somewhat short, haircut He smiled broadly as I paid and left.

This 200 year old plane tree is really interesting with its contorted branches.  Deciduous trees are much more interesting in winter when they have shed their leaves to reveal their true form

Lunch today was at La Cantine de Quentin 17 just off the Avenue Neil in the 17th. We had planty of time to walk there through Monceau Parc and enjoy the sunshine. We heard a couple of parrots but did not see any.

Risotto / jambon Pata Negra / parmesan / ciboulette

Cappuccino / châtaignes / cèpes grillés / nuage truffe blanche / cacao

 This was a really interesting starter. It was very hot and the chestnuts blended well with the cepes.

Cuisse de canard confite / purée / champignons poêlés

 There was a lot of meat on the duck leg and the mushrooms went well with the foam and pureed potatoes

Feuillete de saumon with baby spinach

Mont blanc / crème de marrons / meringue pistaché / chantilly vanillée

 The chestnut creme was really good but very filling while the crushed meringue gave an interesting crunch factor.

Affogato / glace vanille / expresso nespresso

With a bottle of Pinot Noir the meal was very good indeed. The two servers were very busy but we enjoyed the leisurely pace. This is tucked away in a back street but the place obviously has a good reputation and is well used by the locals. The staff knew just about everybody who came in except ourselves and they made us very welcome.  The place quickly became crowded and several groups were turned away. Definitely a keeper.

We had intended to walk to the Trocadero past the Etoile to get a little exercise but it began to rain heavily and the wind got up for we aborted and returned via metro line 2. Of course, by the time we had reached the apartment the sun was shining strongly again.