Author: Erica Berman

Erica Berman grew up in Lexington, Mass. After graduating from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Journalism and an intensive summer at Middlebury College (Vermont), Erica went to Paris with hopes of submerging herself in French culture and perfecting her French — and she stayed 20 years. Erica is the founder of the HiP Paris Blog and Haven In her former company. She now splits her time between Paris (Montmartre) and Maine (Midcoast). She recently started a non-profit growing organic produce for the food insecure in Maine called Veggies to Table. In her all-too-rare free time, Erica likes to travel off the beaten track, explore Paris and Maine, read, take photos, cook, kayak, hike and enjoy long Sunday brunches with her friends.

There is still time left to enter the second annual Sweepstakes hosted by Veggies to Table. Your entry will go towards feeding the hungry. …read more

Veggies to Table is hosting our second annual French Sweepstakes to raise funds to continue our work to end hunger in our community. …read more

This fundraiser will help Veggies to Table donate to the hungry, while bringing YOU to Paris or Paris to YOU! …read more

On a recent stroll through the Canal St. Martin, I stumbled upon the new coffee and concept shop Residence Kann. The cute, modern space, tucked off the canal on rue des Vinaigriers, boasts comfortable furniture, highly curated tableware, and a cozy backroom perfect for meetings or a quiet moment. …read more

Paris. We love you and our hearts are heavy for you. What happened at Charlie Hebdo will be with us forever. The families, colleagues, and victims are in our thoughts and prayers. There is the promise that we can use this momentum of hope to move forward and make us all better people, this world… …read more

I’ve just booked my Haven in Paris apartment for a week in the City of Love. Sigh… Going to Paris has always been a dream of mine, and I want it to be just perfect. I am working with Haven in Paris to fill my days with the luxury service discounts they are offering, only… …read more

Vacation Rentals for Those Who Don’t just Travel, they Experience. they Experience.

Boutique rentals from our trusted partner Haven In

Montmartre. My Parisian neighborhood. My home, on and off, for over 20 years. Over the years, many things in the neighborhood have changed and evolved but I have remained faithful and dedicated to this little slice of Parisian happiness. SoPi has exploded and Montmartre has gentrified. Real estate values are up. Abbesses now evokes hip,… …read more

On a rare afternoon off, I took a stroll in Paris and came upon 5 Octobre and Sophie, its adorable owner. She has wonderful gem of a boutique selling her handmade jewelry in the Marais. After hearing a little bit more about her unusual story, I’m so glad to share it with you here –… …read more

Erica Berman Located by Parmentier bobo hipster central and one of my personal favorite up and coming Parisian neighborhoods, Chateaubriand is certainly no new kid on the block. Gandhu & Sarah After following the ups and downs and mixed reviews of Chateabriand for years — the best, most creative food in Paris for some, too… …read more

L’Office owner Charles Compagnon Coming off a string of mediocre Paris meals, I was less then lukewarm about heading out to, yet another Paris neo-bistro. Anticipating haughty service and below average food at a high price in banal ambiance, I almost bowed out of my recent girl’s night out at L’Office. Going into this meal… …read more

Erica Berman is a serious coffee drinker. No joke. Long frustrated by Paris’ less-than-stellar coffee scene, she is overjoyed to see that some serious brewsters are finally taking hold of Paris. Be sure to check in next week for our review of Frog Fight, the buzz-worthy (and caffeinated!) competition where Paris’ best baristas battle it… …read more

In Part 1 of this series, Erica Berman shared her most telling anecdotes about the difference between life in France and life in Italy. While most of us can only envy the lifestyle that makes intimate knowledge of those details a part of daily life, Erica’s insight into the particularities of French and Italian culture… …read more

Photos Erica Berman – cappuccino Genova I’m back in Paris after 2 months of learning Italian in Genoa, Italy. The cool Paris weather is a shock after the heat of Italy, but I’m excited to be home. Naturally, I can’t help comparing the (Genovese) Italians to the (Parisian) French with whom I have cohabited for almost… …read more