Peacemaker’s menu spans the cuisines of New England, the mid-Atlantic and Louisiana, and with professional stints in New York and New Orleans under his belt, James Beard Award-winning chef-owner Kevin Nashan has the culinary chops to pull it off. When it comes to rolls and po’boys, fresh seafood and quality bread matter, so Peacemaker’s shellfish is flown in daily, while French-style buns are made to exact specifications by Companion Baking. Those wanting to indulge in whole shellfish – lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels and clams – will gravitate toward the boils and steamed dishes. The former includes potatoes, corn on the cob and andouille sausage. Side dishes range from the expected (french fries, coleslaw, hush puppies) to the whimsical, like lobster Frito pie and a corn dog that likely will obliterate any others you’ve had. Also not to be missed: creamy, garlicky clam chowder, collard greens smothered in pork fat with notes of brown sugar and red pepper, and fried green pickled tomatoes in a crunchy coat that doesn’t budge. At Peacemaker, Nashan catches the right balance of simplicity, value and extremely high quality.
1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.772.8858, peacemakerlobstercrab.com
The Sauce 75 is a photomosaic of the best in St. Louis dining. This list is a celebration of the diverse skills, techniques and culinary traditions that meet across our region. In sum, it tells a story about where St. Louis has been, where it is now and where it’s going next. Many great and good St. Louis restaurants have not made the cut. (Seventy-five is a lot fewer than you think!) Restaurants are constantly growing and evolving and go through ups and downs. Newly opened restaurants can take time to find their feet: There are a few exciting new places we’re cheering for, but which we feel haven’t yet fully hit their stride. Read the entire list here.
This article appears in November 2024.