July 1, 2010 by Amy Thomas
Rachel Khoo, at work
As the savory macarons (half of them, cream cheese and wasabi; half green olive tapenade) were passed around the 12th arrondissement apartment, the talk inevitably turned to food. It was a Thursday night, and I was at Rachel Khoo’s Mash Up soirée, an 80s-inspired, five-course dinner party organized through MyPrivateDinner.com, a site that coordinates tastings, workshops and other food-centric events. Rachel, a British cookbook author, class instructor and damn good chef, along with all us foreigners (plus a few locals) in attendance were self-defined foodies, so the night was filled with many edible adventures.
By the second course (a two-toned tartiflette of root veggies, roquette and copious amounts of Reblochon, which came on the heels of, wait for it, edible pacman with pâté powerballs), I was deep in conversation with Kimberley McLoughlin, an Aussie who just launched RedVisitor.com. While her site focuses on international travel, she’s also a restaurant devotée and knows the best eateries in the top culinary cities around the world. Clearly, I realized as I sipped my Tom Cruise-inspired Cocktail, I’m not the only expat in Paris who’s just a wee bit obsessed with food and eating and dinner parties and new restaurants and food porn and sweets and cooking classes and market tours and….are we full yet??
Edible pacman
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Posted in Food | 2 Comments »
May 10, 2010 by Zeva Bellel
Hipparis blogger friend Zeva, from fabulous blog Paris by Appointment Only, was recently asked to be the community manager for popular U.S. site Yelp’s first France edition. We are truly excited to welcome this much-needed addition to the online Paris restaurant scene, and wanted to share her enthusiasm with you!
You have no idea what an amazing and crazy adventure I’ve been on for the last few months. Of course you don’t, because I had to keep it a secret from you all. That means several months of torturous silence because for those who know me well, keeping secrets is not my particular forte in life.
Today I can finally lift the veil on the incredible project I was recruited to be part of by a fan of this here blog (yes, it’s true!)
So ladies and gents, I’m pleased to introduce you to my new baby —— Yelp France! Continue Reading »
Posted in Restaurant Reviews | 1 Comment »
April 28, 2010 by Zeva Bellel
Paris by Appointment Only, one of our favorite blogs for insider Parisian tips, recently published an interview with Annie Venier, an American-born private pilates instructor in Paris. We know these gorgeous photos, courtesy of Nicholas Calcott, got us thinking about trading in our steak-frites for a little exercise! Readers: do you have any Paris zen fitness tips to share?
If you asked Parisians ten years ago what Pilates (pronounced “Pilottes”) was, they would have answered you with their habitual I-have-no-idea-what-you’re-talking-about-you-may-as-well-come-from-Mars shoulder shrug and dismissive lip fart.
But oh how the times have changed. Now, almost every sports club and well-being center is offering some kind of Pilates class, just like every grocery store these days has some kakamayme organic product line that they’re pushing. The point is that finding a fabulous, authentic, personalized Pilates studio in Paris can be as costly as it is exhausting. But now you can save your Euros and your breath because I have the Pilates pro for you!
Long, lean, strong and supple, American-raised, Paris-based Annie Venier is a walking and talking advertisement for Pilates. As well she should be, she’s been doing it now for close to fifteen years. Venier fell into the discipline quite literally by accident. After a running injury knocked her off her feet, she found herself in search of a deep, therapeutic strength-building alternative. She got hooked immediately, and before long quit her job to pursue a new career as a Pilates professional. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Tours and Classes | 2 Comments »
April 1, 2010 by Zeva Bellel
Photos Fabrice Fortin for Paris By Appointment Only
Stylish, understated accessorizing—there are few things the French do better. Especially the men, and especially when it comes to their scarves. After a decade of careful observation I’m convinced that the entire French male population has been genetically perfected to give good scarf. Believe me, if I had a dollar for ever time a visiting American guy friend asked me to give him a French echarpe tutorial, I’d be a rich lady.
But the next time someone asks I’ll give my neck a rest and introduce Meilleur Ami instead. Launched in November 2008, Meilleur Ami is a new niche Paris-based men’s accessories brand whose name is its promise—to create designs that behave like best friends. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Shopping | 1 Comment »
March 24, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text by Paris By Appointment Only; Photos by Fabrice Fortin.
Even though they live in the capital of couture, most Parisians can’t sew a stitch. Like most countries, France kicked home economics to the curb decades ago. Since hardly any one knows how to shorten a hem, fix a button, or take in a seam, you can find a retoucheur on practically every Parisian corner. But all that is about to change thanks to Sweat Shop, a new creative collective in the residential 10th whose mission is to teach Parisians how to make and customize their own clothes.
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December 31, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Our friend Zeva Bellel at Paris by Appointment Only has let us in on a great list of lesser known champagnes for 2010. Compiled by blogger and wine consultant Sharon Bowman, these bottles will help you kick off 2010 in style.
Illustration by Fabrice Fortin for Paris By Appointment Only™
Text by Sharon Bowman
One of the greatest pleasures in daily life is something that allows us to slip outside of daily life. Champagne transports us in a way that still wines do not. The distinctive sound of a cork popping, heard across a city courtyard or a bustling wine bar, immediately turns heads and piques desire and appetite. It conjures up images of pleasure and sparkling indulgence. But why let others have all the fun? It’s the holiday season, and now is the time to start (or continue) a happy little habit that will make any event a little more festive. Continue Reading »
Posted in Food | 1 Comment »
November 24, 2009 by Tory Hoen
Zeva. All photos courtesy of Zeva Bellel
Text by Tory Hoen, Interview by Erica Berman
Like so many Americans in this city, Zeva Bellel came to Paris by way of a dream—and an impractical one, at that. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, she spent her youth indulging her Francophile fantasies, devouring French new wave films, and scheming about ways to one day live in Paris. Met with much skepticism from her family and friends (her grandfather demanded, “When are you ever going to speak French, you live in Brooklyn for chrissakes?”), Zeva had to fight to make her dream a reality.
Now, after 10 years and lots of amazing experience in Paris, Zeva has recently launched Paris by Appointment Only (Paris BAO), where she seeks to connect Paris’ “hidden network” of artisans (ceramicists, artists, clothing designers, etc.) with curious consumers in seek of unique services and products.
From her roots across the Atlantic to her current lifestyle in Paris’ trendy 10th arrondissement, Zeva is living the life she had always imagined. In retrospect, it may have begun as an irrational dream—but isn’t that the best kind?
We recently sat down with Zeva to learn more about Paris BAO, and what it is that she loves most about life in Paris. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 2 Comments »
November 20, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Our friend Zeva Bellel over at Paris by Appointment Only has published a piece by HiP’s own Erica Berman about Parisian apartments and the importance of light, outdoor space, and views.
Article by Zeva Bellel, Paris by Appointment Only
The most in-demand Parisian properties are the ones with amazing views. It’s no surprise, really: Who wouldn’t want this cityscape as a live-in tableau? Luckily, there are some incredible furnished flats with views available for short-term rent. So on your next swing through the city, skip the claustrophobic hotel and rent a light-filled apartment instead. You’ll not only be able to throw impromptu soirées, cook up market finds in your own kitchen, gain space and save precious cash, you’ll have a frame on the city that most Parisians dream of.
For the inside scoop on the most picturesque Parisian pads on the market, please welcome guest blogger Erica Berman, owner of the divine apartment rental agency, Haven in Paris and the HiP Paris Blog.
To read the full article, head to Paris by Appointment Only.
Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
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