Marci and Steve Go Back to Europe

There is a weird new trend popping up all over France ( and the rest of Europe, I'm sure) . They are called LOVE LOCKS, and in Paris it has become so big that there may be new laws banning the practice soon. Young people in love get a padlock, write their name, or a date, or initials, or something similar, and affix this to the railings of public areas, primarily bridges. And then they throw away the key ( I'm guessing right over the side of the bridge into the water). I first saw this in Lyon, and have since seen it in almost every city of any size in my travels in France. Am I the only one who didn't know about this? Write me if you know more..... C'est très bizarre, non? Speak to you soon, Steve Schwartz This last photo is NOT mine- this is the Pont des Arts, in Paris! Steve

Well the intention of this was not to be a food blog but if it is France, blog food I must after a spectacular 'Illusion' menu du gustacion at Jeremy Galvan last night. Each course was a deception perfection as evidenced by the course known as 'Eskimo Pie' which in actuality was a small Popsicle of foie gras coated in gingerbread crumbs served with small toasts. Each course was presented by the illusion name and only after savoring every bite did the server share the ingredients. The sunny side up 'egg' really a round flat piece of cod topped with a yellow carrot puréed 'yolk' in a fennel cream sauce. And the tiny 'new red bliss potatoes??? beet purée shaped in a perfect half round sprinkled with chopped broccoli for the parsley.  So perhaps in the fall or winter once we return I will challenge myself to create my own Illusion dinner. Anyone game to be my guest? Vegetable purée soup with goat cheese ice cream and baby watercress-what would you ca...

We have arrived, and what a perfect day. Flights were spot on time, we easily figured out the Lyon airport to train to metro to walk to our BnB where our host was waiting to collect our luggage. Would have been wonderful had our room been ready for a nap but we soldiered on. Steve will say I took him on the Batan Death March as we climbed at least 500 steps on the way up Croix Rousse, then took ONE, only ONE wrong turn to arrive at a charming reserved lunch where we toasted with a bottle of Cote Du Rhone, a spectacular Creme Froide avocate  and ended the meal with, of course, an expresso.  Luckily the walk back to the B nB was ALL downhill. We immediately napped, showered, and headed out for a Lyonnaise salad (look that one up but I am sure Webster definition says 'delicious')  and a bottle  of Chianti Classico.  So far this blogging is fun, so watch for more, soon. Bon Soir from Lyon, France!!! !