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While there are numerous fine dining establishments up and down Historic Main St. in Saint Charles, there hasn’t been any new and exciting restaurants to open in quite some time. Along comes Prasino. Located in the new development, The Streets of St. Charles,  just south of Highway 70 on 5th Street, they are positioned to attract quite a crowd. Upon entering Prasino, you will immediately notice the new modern ambience, welcoming you to try something new. Prasino means “green” in Greek, so it is no surprise that this is one of the most eco-friendly restaurants in the St. Louis area. From the restored barn wood decor, to the bar stools made from recycled seatbelts, Prasino has a very chic and modern feel.

Farm-to-Table

With one look at the menu, you will recognize this is no ordinary cuisine. Every menu item is prepared from only the highest quality, farm-to-table ingredients, sourced directly from local farms and ranches. Including hormone/antibiotic-free meats, sustainable seafood and organic produce combine to create our naturally appealing Contemporary American menu.

Farm-to-Bar

Prasino’s farm-to-table initiative extends to the “farm-to-bar” offerings. Their selections are uncommon, but all share an organic approach in their production. You won’t find the “usual suspects” on this menu. Many of their wines are purchased from small, family-owned wineries, which practice sustainability along with stunning craftsmanship. They have sought out an intriguing variety of artisanal beers and offer spirit labels not seen elsewhere in the Chicago area. The fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables used in our cocktails are purchased locally, whenever possible.

Check out Prasino’s Full Menu here

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Sorting through St. Louis personal injury lawyers?

Enrollments at law schools have steadily been on the rise in the past 20  years. In that same amount of time St. Louis personal injury lawyers Gary Kullmann, Andrew Klein and Steven Dioneda have been assisting the injured through the legal process. Before the inception of Kullmann, Klein & Dioneda, P.C., the attorneys were employed at a personal injury law firm where they gained the knowledge and experience that made their firm successful. Prior to being St. Louis personal injury lawyers, Andrew Klein worked for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, Steven Dioneda began his legal career by representing those accused of criminal offenses. The marriage of these two areas of practice is a component of what makes this firm great. Gary Kullmann began his practice focusing on representing those who have been injured on the job.

There is an abundance of St. Louis personal injury lawyers; many of whom have been practicing for only a few years.

What makes Kullmann, Klein & Dioneda, P.C. withstand the flood of amateur attorneys? The answer is simple – expertise and client priority.

With over 7500 cases settled and/or tried since 1990, it is clear they are familiar and knowledgeable in the area of personal injury. The partners of this firm handle each case personally. No case is handled by an associate or assistant – each file is meticulously reviewed and worked up by one of the dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Kullmann, Klein & Dioneda, P.C.

When asked what was the sole thing the firm would want a layman to know about a personal injury claim; the definitive answer was: The insurance company is NOT your friend. These St. Louis personal injury lawyers will fight for what you deserve and make sure the insurance company does not try to take advantage of your vulnerable state.

Read more about the St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Kullmann, Klein & Dioneda,P.C. 

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NorthSide Regeneration is the newest development coming to St. Louis City:

With recent hubbub about our great city, St. Louis is now being donned one of the United States’ best cities for reasons like Forbes editors write about in this article about St. Louis being a top ten happiest city for job seeking college grads.  We’ve also seen a big nod from online powerhouse Huffington Post in their 26 Reasons to Appreciate the Hidden Gem of St. Louis.  Op-Ed pieces like these have been trending and this can only mean an increase in buzz around St. Louis.  NorthSide Regneration Mogul Paul McKee stands to profit from all of the free publicity.

NorthSide Regeneration Development

Paul McKee is heading the new NorthSide Regeneration development project which has been granted $390 Million dollars by the City of St. Louis to fund the construction of this new venture.  $60 Million dollars out of pocket has been put up by Paul McKee to aid in the funding of the project.  The NorthSide Regeneration development will be structured with tax increment funding to allow for pay back of the project as the property values increase.  NorthSide Regeneration ideas have been abundant with talks of great merchants that have recently scouted St. Louis such as Ikea, Urban Outfitters, and  Jamba Juice.

The area that Paul McKee calls NorthSide Regeneration has plans for apartment buildings as well as commercial spaces that could house modern age retailers who crave a blank canvas for build outs of new spaces.  Starbucks’ new Tweet-a-Coffee  enables customers to tweet hashtags and use a mobile wallet to have a latte delivered fresh to their own or a friend’s door. The upswing in the technological world will only expand in the coming years and Paul McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration project stands to capitalize on this increase.

Other areas nestled between the NorthSide Regeneration project are up-and-coming like Columbus and Carr Squares who house the old St. Louis Post Dispatch building.  Several improvements akin to the proposed NorthSide Regeneration project have commenced, including re-paving and widening streets, addition of retailers such as McDonald’s and Dollar General, and the opening of the highly anticipated Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. Buildings of all types and sizes still stand in this bustling area including 1324 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive located at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Tucker Boulevard, just a jaunt away from NorthSide Regeneration in St. Louis City.

This property is listed by New Monarch Realty

This building in particular would be perfect for a potential NorthSide Regeneration investor in the form of a big name retailer or a collection of local small businesses such as cafes or restaurants or boutiques.  These buildings offer 7 stories of combined space and a large surface lot which is included in the selling price.  With Paul McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration project only a few blocks to the northwest, this parcel would be a lucrative location for a developer interested in a combined retail/residential space or retail/office space.  The open layout of the upper stories would be ideal for housing or an open-office concept. Exposed brick and original hardwood throughout can be restored to their natural beauty to preserve the building’s vintage charm.  The property boasts forced air and central electric cooling and access through the alley to the freight elevator, loading docks, and overhead doors.  The interior offers a passenger elevator, sprinkler system and wheelchair access which will provide easy fulfillment of the required safety and ADA regulations.

NPR’s full interview with Paul McKee and his wife regarding NorthSide Regeneration

 New urban developments near NorthSide Regeneration

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Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade

Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade

Kevin Bacon and his brother are scheduled to perform at this year’s Mardi Gras Pet Parade held annually in Soulard, Missouri. The event brings in tens of thousands of parade-goers and their four-legged friends every year, but this is the first time that organizers have booked a touring act to headline the show. The Bacon Brothers, Kevin and Michael, play a mix of lively country rock and pop rock and have played with their band-mates since 1995.  The parade will kick off at 1:00 p.m. on February 3rd at the intersection of Menard and Allen Streets.  The Bacon Brothers are scheduled to perform at 2:30 p.m. near Soulard Market Park.

The event is free to the public and costume-adorned pets are welcomed!  If you would like to register your pet to walk in the Beggin’ Pet Parade,  registration is $10  with all of the proceeds benefiting the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a local shelter featuring dogs and cats of all ages and breeds, waiting to find their forever homes.  So, if your furry friend likes to wear costumes and would like to join the estimated 1,200 other dressed-up pets expected to walk in the parade this year, you can register online.  If you register, meet up with the other parade participants at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Menard and Allen Streets.  Pet participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health.

So come out February 3rd for a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family (including our four-legged family members!)

You can see a map of the parade route here.

Link:

Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade:

http://stlhomelife.com/kevin-bacon-to-perform-at-2013-soulard-mardi-gras-pet-parade/

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Gioia’s Deli

Built in 1918 by Challie Gioia, Gioia’s Deli has served up some of the finest eats in the city for almost a century! Gioia’s Deli is located at Macklind and Dagget  on The Hill, an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis city. Today, Gioia’s Deli stands as the longest family owned business on The Hill! Originally operated a grocery store and sold their famous homemade sausage named Salam de Testa. Later, Johnnie and Steve Gioia added a lunch trade to the family business with the Salam de Testa as the main attraction!

Gioia’s Deli

1934 Macklind Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 776-9410

In 1980 a new era began, when the Donley family purchased the Gioia family business and converted the grocer into a sandwich shop. The Donley family has carried on the Gioia family tradition by offering the finest delicatessen St. Louis has to offer!  After almost 100 years, one thing has not changed, the Salam de Testa, wich now goes by the Hot Salami is still the most popular item at Gioia’s Deli!

Gioia’s Deli on The Hill Menu

Gioia’s Deli Website

Here at STL Homelife, we encourage you to patronize family owned businesses in St. Louis! Nothing makes our city stronger than spending money with the small businesses that operate within our city!

Gioia’s Deli and Other Small Business Spotlights

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New Town St. Charles

Is it the people or the place that creates a neighborly community?
Residents of The New Town St. Charles are discovering that you need both in order to build the idyllic neighborhoods that seem to be part of the American psyche. Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) aren’t a new concept, but New Town St. Charles is one of the most successful large-scale New Urbanist communities built on the edge of suburbia. “If you just want to drive into your garage and stay in your house, this town isn’t for you,” says New Town St. Charles resident Elizabeth Kinney. “I’d rather sit on my porch and chat with the neighbors.”

Unexpected Design
We wove water through the New Town St. Charles neighborhoods, orienting the public squares, shops, and homes to the lakes and canals,” says Marina Khoury, project director for town planners Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company. “Many suburban developments pipe storm water into hidden back ponds,” adds New Town St. Charles architect Tim Busse. “We made it into a defining landmark.” The interconnected waterways speak to the importance of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers that converge nearby. Just as those rivers help connect a nation, New Town’s lakes, sidewalks, footbridges, and public greens are conduits for a tight-knit community.

“The New Town St. Charles developer, Greg Whittaker, spared no expense on the public spaces,” says Marina. “Even the smallest home is grand when you can step off your porch into a beautiful park.” New Town St. Charles is divided into five pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, each with a distinct town plaza, waterfront lots, and acres of green. Residents and visitors alike share the open-air skating rink in winter and stroll the plazas in summer. “You meet people when you have a tiny yard,” says New Town St. Charles resident Elizabeth. “We don’t just know our neighbors―we went on vacation with them last year.”

Mix and Mingle
New Town St. Charles shares roots with historic St. Charles but has its own active, outdoorsy vibe. The New Town St. Charles summer social scene revolves around free movies and music at the lakeside amphitheater on weekend nights. The town trucked in white Gulf Coast sand for beach volleyball courts and reserved a public green for the Bocce League. Brad and Brenda Reed moved their family from another suburban St. Louis neighborhood to an Arts and Crafts-style cottage near the outdoor amphitheater. “In our old neighborhood we told our kids not to cross the street. Here at New Town St. Charles, it’s just the opposite. In the summer they walk to the amphitheater to watch movies, and in the winter our son lives for hockey on the canals,” says New Town St. Charles resident Brad. “Once you get into a rhythm for this style of living, you learn to be more neighborly.”

A Sense of Place
Critics of New Town St. Charles point to Traditional Neighborhood Developments as being artificial and overpriced, but New Town St. Charles beauty runs deeper than a row of flashy facades. “Southern towns, and especially the town squares, have a charm,” says Tim. “We toured neighborhoods in St. Louis and across the South to tie ours to places that make people feel good.”

The New Town St. Charles neighborhood market is modeled after a popular mercantile that burned to the ground many years ago in historic St. Charles.

Plan a Visit
Think you might want to live in a community like New Town St. Charles ? You don’t have to move here―almost all of the amenities are open to the public. Wide sidewalks and narrow streets encourage you to park the car and explore. You’ll feel like a local before the day is through.

Find community information and events on New Town St. Charles 

Town Vibe
The New Town St. Charles isn’t for the suburban dweller looking for a big yard behind a privacy fence. The location is the suburbs, but it has the know-your-neighbors feel of a small town combined with inviting public spaces like those in Charleston or Savannah.

Can I afford in New Town St. Charles?

• A 626-square-foot, 1-bedroom, 1-bath loft in New Town St. Charles has a base price of $99,500.
• A 4-bedroom, 21⁄2-bath detached single-family home in New Town St. Charles recently sold for $417,000.

Where’s the old town?
Historic St. Charles, less than 5 miles south of The New Town St. Charles, is popular with tourists strolling its Main Street.

Where’s the best place to relax in New Town St. Charles?
“Almost half the homes have two-story porches,” says New Town St. Charles architect Tim Busse. New Town St. Charles is quite relaxing!

Homes With History
Many of the homes in The New Town St. Charles trace their roots to a Midwest version of the National Style or Missouri farmhouses. The National Style was popular during the westward expansion of America in the early- to mid-1800s. The style’s hallmarks are low-pitched roofs, wide bands of trim, and symmetrical placement of windows. “The New Town St. Charles homes are fairly simple to keep them more affordable,” says Marina. “Their elegance comes from attention to proportions and detailing.” We applaud this new neighborhood, New Town St. Charles and others like it for finding a balance between cookie-cutter cottages and a smorgasbord of architectural styles.

New Town St. Charles

Source – Southern Living

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Living in St. Louis

Welcome to STL Home Life! We are your source of information on living in St. Louis and the surrounding areas.

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The St. Louis Galleria Mall in St. Louis has something for just about everyone. Whether you are shopping for clothes, food, pets or simply something special, this mall has a variety of shops you can browse through. If you can find it in an average mall, then you can find it here. In addition, The Galleria has a variety of higher end department stores such as the newly opened Nordstroms. If you are not in the shopping mood, they also have an entertainment section should you desire to go and see a movie or dine at a restaurant. If you are in the mood for some good food, check out the Cheesecake Factory located inside the mall.

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The Hill is St. Louis’ famous Italian neighborhood. Residents on the Hill are extremely proud of their roots and the history of their neighborhood. The Hill is also a top destination for anyone who wants authentic Italian food, gifts or groceries.

The Hill Neighborhood in St. Louis is the city’s traditional Italian American neighborhood. Although known primarily for the dozens of fantastic Italian restaurants within its boundaries, the Hill is also one of the city’s most tight-knit communities. Just as they did a century ago, families on the Hill greet each other warmly at church, local bakeries or while working in perfectly manicured front lawns. The Hill is still the Italian version of a Norman Rockwell neighborhood.

Location:

The Hill is located south of Manchester Avenue, between Hampton Avenue on the west and Kingshighway Avenue on the east. Its southern border runs along Columbia and Southwest Avenues.

History:

Settlement of what’s now called “the Hill” began in the 1830’s, but the area boomed later that century with the discovery of rich clay mines. The mines and other jobs attracted large numbers of Italian immigrants, and by the end of the nineteenth century, the area was a virtual “Little Italy.”
The small neighborhood has played a large role in the history of sports in America. One city block of the neighborhood is famous for hosting the boyhood homes of Baseball Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola, as well as the home of Jack Buck as he began his broadcast career. The neighborhood also produced approximately half of the 1950 U.S. soccer team that upset top-ranked England in the World Cup.
Demographics:

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Hill has 2,692 residents. Ninety five percent of the residents are white and about three percent are African American. Approximately 75 percent of residents still claim to be of Italian descent.
The median household income is $33,493, and two thirds of the housing units are owner-occupied. About half of the households are family households.

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