What I ate this week in Paris

 

Last night I did more dessert research 🔬 with Joyce (visiting from New York)

On Profiteroles. Joyce got a choux Chantilly, a simpler version sans sauce chocolat noir et glace 🍨 vanille.

Profiteroles I have eaten, Chez Clément Montparnasse

Last night with PBers Nicole & DeeAnn we had profiteroles for dessert 

At Cafe Varenne.

We left a little bit on the plate, the way you are supposed to in France 🇫🇷 OK not much 🙄

Our Lyon

 

Last Saturday morning we set off for an overnight in Lyon (7:34 am). Voila! in 2hr5 minutes we arrived ready to conquer French cuisine!

First stop, a short walk from train station Part-Dieux - Paul Bocuse Halles. So much praliné!(sugared almonds)a Lyonnaise classic.

A spin around will show you the Lyonnaise specialties (Saucisson de Lyon (sausage), Rosette lyonnaise, Saucisson brioché) you Must eat. Plenty of free tastes and all upper crust quality. 

Ever onward to our reserved lunch at Le Nord, one of Paul’s bouchons. 

I had the ‘fix or formule’ (32€). An incredible froth of mushroom soup with bits of foie gras, and baked Cod. Carolyn likes to be independent and ordered a French steak. We both had tarte citron meringue for dessert. A superb lunch. Not an intimidating place. All very relaxed locals. 

On to the old town/Vieux Ville. No way could we eat dinner, so we combed the tiny medieval streets studying menus for Sunday’s lunch like everyone else. 

Next day this little bouchon appealed (Vieux Lyon). I’m not sure you can get a bad meal in Lyon. 

My ‘fix’ lunch (21,90) was salade Lyonnaise (lettuce with bacon, croûtons and a poached egg.), classic quenelles(ground, poached pike). We shared the profiteroles with home-made vanilla ice cream😊 Carolyn had onion soupe.

Then more wandering.

Old Lyon has exquisite hidden alleyways and alcoves to explore.

Traditional Lyonnaise silk shops of course.

Everyone was carrying a candy bag from Francois Praulis, so we did too.

I wanted to see the Musee de Cinema et Miniatures

Which was a marvel and close by.

Lyon is known for Guignol, its own punch and judy show. We visited the musée des Marionettes too. Don’t miss the secret garden on the top floor. 

It’s 31 March and I am still working on the March letter art 💌 Last day to buy a watercolor and make a contribution to Ukraine Red Cross. For the few PB readers who misunderstood, I do not have your names or email addresses, much less access to your Paypal accounts. None of your funds were taken. Sorry if I gave that impression. The black cat skills of Cary Grant are not mine. I did once paint an oligarch’s yacht in Cannes if you want to see it. 

Coming home to the Seine never disappoints.