First Look: Parigi in Clayton

Editor's Note: Parigi has closed

Restaurateur and chef Ben Poremba’s latest eatery, Parigi, is firing up the burners in Clayton at 8025 Bonhomme Ave. As Sauce reported in June 2015, Parigi is Poremba’s fourth restaurant venture, an Italian restaurant on the ground floor of Clayton on the Park at Bonhomme Avenue and Brentwood Boulevard

While Poremba continues to helm the kitchens at Elaia and Olio in Botanical Heights, Ramon Cuffie will serve as Parigi’s executive chef. Poremba will work closely with Cuffie, a St. Louis native whose experience includes time at Bar Italia and in kitchens in Washington D.C., Seattle and France.

Following a traditional Italian meal format, the menu includes antipasti, a selection of first-course pastas and meat-centric second course options featuring a variety of proteins. Guests can also opt for the chef’s choice, an evening special selected by Cuffie.

Director of operations and wine director Aaron Sherman curated the extensive wine list. Thirteen sparkling, white and red wines are offered by the glass with more than 120 varieties available by the bottle. Urban Chestnut beers are available on tap while four signature cocktails and 10 Champagne-based and classic cocktails are offered.

Customers can currently get a taste of Parigi at reservations-only soft opening dinners featuring a limited four-course menu at a fixed price. Regular dinner service will begin Friday, Feb. 19. Dinner hours will be Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., with breakfast and lunch hours to follow.

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect when doors open at Parigi: