Parigi is how Italians say Paris. The name of serial restaurateur Ben Poremba’s latest fine-dining establishment in Clayton is fitting because its menu reflects how the French might interpret Italian food. The offerings fuse Executive Chef Ramon Cuffie’s affinity for Italian cuisine with his mastery of French technique. The menu not only reflects his travels to those regions, but also his desire to use his experiences and skills to give beloved recipes fresh personality.

Back in the day, there was little crossover between restaurant cuisines. Italian restaurants served only Italian food and wine; French restaurants only the food and drink of that country, and so on. Any mixing of the cuisines was deemed suspicious, and the general consensus among gourmands was that chefs could not excel at dishes from more than one country.

As a child, the homeowner always wanted to be an architect. With a love of furniture and design, he has always clipped things out of old magazines to save for later. So, when he made the move from Chicago to St. Louis in 2011, it was no surprise that he played a big role in finding the right house for him and his two children.

Growing up in suburban St. Louis, these homeowners always felt drawn to the vivacious vibe of urban living, and almost 20 years ago decided to make the move to University City for a much-needed change of pace. When it came time to transition out of their first place together and into something with more space for their growing family, the duo found themselves two blocks away on a tree-lined street of historic homes and had a feeling that this was where they should plant their roots.

“Interior design is like a signed piece of art. Client satisfaction is, of course, most important, and I’m very detail-oriented. But as a creative, I like to think outside the box, to take risks.” That’s designer Tom Manche describing the “signature” philosophy that has contributed to the success of his award-winning, full-service design firm for two decades. 

Debbie Jacob’s enthusiasm is infectious. It boils over when she begins to talk about her garden. 

Therefore, it isn’t surprising that participants in the ballroom dancing class she was taking a few years ago at the Creve Coeur Government Center would know of her passion for plants and her struggle to transform the garden of the Ladue home she and her husband Don had recently purchased.