While the way we interact with restaurants has changed during the COVID-19 crisis, the question Eater writers and editors field the most has not. Friends, family, acquaintances, and randos all want to know, “Where should I eat right now?” That’s where the Eater Heatmap enters the conversation, pointing diners toward the most intriguing or otherwise buzzworthy new restaurants in the D.C. area. This list considers restaurants that have been open for six months or less, dating back to October 2020.
New to the map this month: Las Gemelas Cocina Mexicana, a new coastal Mexican kitchen in La Cosecha market; Imperfecto, for Mediterranean-meets-Latin tasting menus from Seven Reasons chef Enrique Limardo; NaRa-Ya, for colorful sushi and vegan prix fixes at the Wharf; Soul Wingz, leading a new food truck park in Bloomingdale; and Taqueria al Lado in Adams Morgan
Leaving the list: KitchenCray, Leni, Lucky Danger, Pennyroyal, Saya Salteñas
Editor’s note: Every restaurant needs help right now. Don’t forget about neighborhood favorites while chasing the hot new thing. For a list of resources on how to help fight food insecurity in the D.C. area, go here.
D.C. allows indoor dining at 25 percent capacity. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, but this should not be taken as endorsement for dining out, as there are still safety concerns. The Washington Post is tracking coronavirus cases and deaths in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. More information can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
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