The 32 Essential St. Louis Restaurants

"At Peacemaker, 2017 James Beard Best Chef Midwest winner Kevin Nashan serves food he likes to eat. The restaurant mostly centers on New England-style seafood, but there’s also Frito pie, which Nashan grew to love growing up in New Mexico, where he would ride his BMX to the iconic Santa Fe Woolworth’s for the store’s version. You’ll also find a daily crudo and peel-and-eat shrimp in the 150-year-old stone trough anchored in the middle of the restaurant — it’s been turned into a raw bar, where a selection of East Coast oysters are also shucked. The oyster po’ boy and clam roll are both reason enough to visit, and the lobster boil always feels like a special feast, but the Peacemaker corndog and the sweet potato sandwich served with arugula, confit tomato, corn nuts, sour cabbage, and aioli are also menu stars. Pair anything with a slushy Sazerac." - Holly Fann