Cheese, cream, butter and oil...how do the French stay slim? Balance, of course. For every heavy taste, they've got something cleverly slimming (like strolling Paris at night).

No need to go abroad: we found a skinny and delicious French secret at the new Bistro LQ, the hotly-ancipated new venture from Chef Laurent Quenioux of Pasadena's Bistro K. Indulge in a dish (it's worth it)--while keeping your sipable calories in check with an irresistible, herbal tisane (an infusion of botanicals, without any tea leaves) blended by Quenioux. Three of our favorites:

Jucica Vitality. Abata cola, passionflower, bitter orange bark and cassis create a spicy, energizing blend.
Sherazade. Linden flower, verbena, mint, berries and sweet briar infuse to a citrusy refresher.
Samaracande. South American maté blends with licorice, clove, mint, cinnamon, anise, pineapple, berries and mango make a exotic pick-me-up.

Each is served with saffron candy sugar, coconut sugar and marshmallow sugar.

We'll raise a French toast to that.

Bistro LQ, opening in the next few days at 8009 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 951-1088, MAP