332975 Tue Oct 10 18:01:24 -0700 2006 1 49 France 0 1935725 I'm leaving next week for a trip through France on the way to Italy (and the Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre!). Traveling with my wife and 2 teenage kids (real chowhounders themselves). We don't want fancy, but we are interested in authentic, or perhaps a better word is genuine food in Paris, Lyon, and along the A7 to Ampuis, where we plan to taste some Cote Roties. Also, my daughter would like one of those boat rides on the Seine. Any good advice for any of those categories? Oh, in Paris we're stayin in Montparnasse, and in Lyon its Part Dieu. Thanks! Peace, kmf Tue Oct 10 18:01:24 -0700 2006 31872 Devotay 1 1951245 If you have a car take a short drive outside of Lyon to Dardilly, Porte de Lyon. There you will find an amazing restaurant called L'Espace. It looks like a roadside truck stop but inside you will find an amazing restaurant run by an amazing chef who will soon be "found"! His food is classic French but with touches of Asian influences and incredible inventiveness. Our first dish was penne pasta with a foie gras and truffle sauce with a lightly fried wonton on top filled with a slab of foie gras and topped by truffle mousse. I could have died right there! It was amazing! Next came a dish of duck confit parmentier also with a slab of foir gras on top! I have never had confit served like this but it was a perfect way to serve it. Dessert was a tarte poire served with green apple ice cream in a dark chocolate cup and slices of green apple with a caramel sauce. Oh my word! We drank a wonderful white Crozes Hermitage from Chapoutier but had a local red with the confit. Morrocan mint tea to top it all off! This meal topped our list of wonderful meals on this trip. If you have any way to get out to this place GO!!! This chef will be discovered soon!! This place is worth the drive! In Vieux Lyon for the best quennelles go to Aux Trois Maries, 1, rue des Trois Maries. We have eaten quennelles in Lyon at other places but these were the best! Tue Oct 17 12:44:34 -0700 2006 1935725 23535 jlfischer