Thursday 12th September 2024

Aki woke early, as she'd gained an emergency appointment with the dental practice round the corner. I got up around 0900. Porridged. Finished packing, and sat about until it was time to cook an early lunch. Tried finishing as much of the food in the fridge as we could manage! Took a bus to Finsbury Park, and then tube to KX. Rocked up at St Pancras in good time to join the queue for the Eurostar to Paris. Train busy…but left on time. Got in to Gare de Nord a little before 1800. Took a metro train to Gare de L’Est and changed for Ligne 7. Only a couple of stops to Cadet. 

Walked down Rue Lafayette to the Grand Hotel and checked in. Boutique hotel with a penchant for black…even the en-suite toilet was black. Phoned Les Arlots and booked a table for two. Walked up there for 1930…close to Gare de Nord. We were the first to rock up and they sat us in the window. 

Very small establishment, so it quickly filled up. Had read about the venue in The Guardian, and they didn’t disappoint. I had their renowned sausicce and mash; Aki went for the confit of duck. Shared a chocolate mousse for afters. Walked back to the hotel well sated…