Porte-couteaux

While I was visiting Quebec city last year, I spotted this rather interesting collection of porte couteau or knife rest. I have used many chopstick rests, but never knife rest before, and probably never would until I saw these.

On an impulse, I bought six of them.

They remind me a bit of the play pieces used in Monopoly, the board game. As kids, we used to fight over who gets to use certain piece (cannot remember which one now).

They are made of pewter and feel solid and heavy. I guess the Dachshund  is the only animal which is represented somewhat realistically.

Now that I am home and regretting not getting more of them. There was also a pig, goat, lynx, wolf, and a fish which stands with its pectoral fins … I vaguely remember.

Well, I just found the maker’s web site – Atelier Bernard Chaudron, and the whole range is available online. Now I wonder if there are fork rests. If you are over here for dinner, remind me to use them (as knife rest or chopstick rest) – and you get to choose first.

A Day in Quiet Quaint Quebec

I arrived in Quebec at night and took some pictures of the Fairmont Chateau Le Frontenac which are posted here. When I woke up the next day, this is what the place looks like under a wintry sun. 

There was hardly any person or traffic on the street – very quiet.

Looking out of my hotel window from the 11th floor – this is much more interesting than the views from the airport hotels at which I recently stayed.

St Lawrence river, flowing east, downstream towards the Atlantic.

St Lawrence river and the port.

Behind the port, above the hill are cannons, and the citadel.

I took the funicular down to the Marche Champlain area.

Quaint shopping street – rather quiet on a Friday afternoon. Bought some maple syrup butter.

Pretty convincing mural, especially at dusk.

A Night at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Quebec city, Canada – a short trip taken over the weekend before Christmas 2011.

By the time I arrived in Quebec city, it was quite late. The Jean Lesage airport is far given the small size of the city. It snowed the day before and it was freezing that evening. This castle-like building is the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, my room was on the 11th floor of the taller building inside.

St Lawrence river and the port area.  The hotel sits on a bluff overlooking this area. It is apparently designated a United Nations World Heritage Site.

 There is a funiculaire that goes down to the port. Ignore the “ouvert” sign, as it was not.

Across the park from the hotel is a row of restaurants.Port  museum.

Côte de la Fabrique –  on my way to the main shopping street – Rue Saint Jean.

I wandered down this street (Rue Saint Louis) to find a restaurant recommended by the hotel concierge for solo diner – Conti Caffe. I ate at the bar, interesting but busy decor, food not bad, friendly staff.

Back to the hotel.

Back inside the toasty hotel interior. May be because it is winter, the room rate of this hotel is less than what one will imagine a chateau like this one would charge.

Daytime views of Quebec – see next post.