First photo by Michael Thomas; add'l photos sponsored by restaurant
Nixta
Nixta is the latest restaurant from Ben Poremba, proprietor of Elaia, Olio and Parigi. It’s also the newest restaurant on this year’s STL 100, 3 months old as I write this. At press time, I’m still working on my full review of Nixta, but based on my visits so far, the restaurant belongs on this list — and I suspect a year from now it will have ascended into the Top 25. Executive chef Tello Carreon draws on traditional Mexican cuisine (his native Guanajuato region and elsewhere) filtered through the modern sensibility of Elaia, where he previously worked with Poremba. Highlights of my early visits include the aguachile, elegant butter- and tea-cured scallops in a broth vibrant with cucumber, bergamot and serrano chile, and a riff on a traditional taco al pastor with pork-belly confit and caramelized pineapple.
Hours: Dinner Tuesday-Saturday (closed Sunday-Monday)
Last year's ranking: new
Opened: 2016
Must order: Aguachile ($12)