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Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

Updated for December 2014.

by Missy Frederick
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by Missy Frederick

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: "Where should I eat right now?" Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, where to sip the cocktail of the moment. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to continually highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

This month, Denizens Brewing Company makes way for the new El Camino in Bloomingdale.

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Ocopa

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Ocopa is putting out interesting, chef-driven takes on Peruvian food in the Atlas district. There's ceviche, chaufa, complimentary corn nuts and plenty of pisco at the newcomer.

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 396-1814
(202) 396-1814

Also featured in:

Pop's SeaBar

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This shore-inspired restaurant from the Cashion's Eat Place partner serves up seafood, pork roll and other Jersey and Florida favorites.

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 534-3933
(202) 534-3933

Also featured in:

Urbana

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Urbana looks like a whole new restaurant, courtesy of a $600,000 refresh. Menu items like gluten-free pastas and pizzas remain, but the bar area is now double in size, and the patio and private dining area have been given a stylish art deco look.

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650

Also featured in:

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

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Daniel Boulud makes his mark on D.C. with this new addition to CityCenterDC in Penn Quarter. He's serving up brasserie fare, sausages, burgers and baked Alaska here.

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 695-7660
(202) 695-7660

Also featured in:

Boss Shepherd's

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This new venture from longtime restaurateur Paul Cohn received early buzz for its fried chicken. High praise from critic Tom Sietsema has also been boosting the restaurant's profile.

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-2677
(202) 347-2677

Pinea

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Barry Koslow, formerly of DGS Delicatessen, is working with European flavors at this revamp of the former J&G Steakhouse. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the W. Guests are also flocking to the hotel courtesy of the renovated POV lounge on the roof.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440

Also featured in:

Bullfrog Bagels

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It's clear how desperate DC was for a good bagel place, judging from the crowds this place has been drawing since opening in the Atlas District.

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Also featured in:

District Doughnut

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District Doughnut has become a big neighborhood hit for Barracks Row thanks to its designer takes on the pastry (good coffee doesn't hurt, either).

749 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
202) 350-0799
202) 350-0799

Chez Billy Sud

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This second location of Chez Billy has a striking waterfront view, a casual French menu and crowds lining up (especially to sit on the chic patio).

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606

Also featured in:

Mama Rouge

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Bangkok Joe's is now Mama Rouge. The menu combines French, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Banh mi croissants are generating early bunch. It's all happening on the Georgetown waterfront.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

B Side

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This new bar from Neighborhood Restaurant Group is adjacent to Red Apron Butchery. There's a solid beer list, and food items like ranch cracklings, pupusas and arepas. The charcuterie selection echoes sister restaurant The Partisan, though this is a smaller operation.

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 346-4243
(703) 346-4243

El Camino

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This new Mexican restaurant from the owners of Sticky Rice and 1905 has provided a new neighborhood option for Bloomingdale. The decor's pretty cool, too.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Also featured in:

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Ocopa

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Ocopa is putting out interesting, chef-driven takes on Peruvian food in the Atlas district. There's ceviche, chaufa, complimentary corn nuts and plenty of pisco at the newcomer.

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 396-1814
(202) 396-1814

Pop's SeaBar

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This shore-inspired restaurant from the Cashion's Eat Place partner serves up seafood, pork roll and other Jersey and Florida favorites.

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 534-3933
(202) 534-3933

Urbana

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Urbana looks like a whole new restaurant, courtesy of a $600,000 refresh. Menu items like gluten-free pastas and pizzas remain, but the bar area is now double in size, and the patio and private dining area have been given a stylish art deco look.

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Daniel Boulud makes his mark on D.C. with this new addition to CityCenterDC in Penn Quarter. He's serving up brasserie fare, sausages, burgers and baked Alaska here.

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 695-7660
(202) 695-7660

Boss Shepherd's

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

This new venture from longtime restaurateur Paul Cohn received early buzz for its fried chicken. High praise from critic Tom Sietsema has also been boosting the restaurant's profile.

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-2677
(202) 347-2677

Pinea

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Barry Koslow, formerly of DGS Delicatessen, is working with European flavors at this revamp of the former J&G Steakhouse. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the W. Guests are also flocking to the hotel courtesy of the renovated POV lounge on the roof.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440

Bullfrog Bagels

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

It's clear how desperate DC was for a good bagel place, judging from the crowds this place has been drawing since opening in the Atlas District.

1341 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

District Doughnut

749 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

District Doughnut has become a big neighborhood hit for Barracks Row thanks to its designer takes on the pastry (good coffee doesn't hurt, either).

749 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
202) 350-0799
202) 350-0799

Chez Billy Sud

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

This second location of Chez Billy has a striking waterfront view, a casual French menu and crowds lining up (especially to sit on the chic patio).

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606

Mama Rouge

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Bangkok Joe's is now Mama Rouge. The menu combines French, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Banh mi croissants are generating early bunch. It's all happening on the Georgetown waterfront.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

B Side

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031

This new bar from Neighborhood Restaurant Group is adjacent to Red Apron Butchery. There's a solid beer list, and food items like ranch cracklings, pupusas and arepas. The charcuterie selection echoes sister restaurant The Partisan, though this is a smaller operation.

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 346-4243
(703) 346-4243

El Camino

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This new Mexican restaurant from the owners of Sticky Rice and 1905 has provided a new neighborhood option for Bloomingdale. The decor's pretty cool, too.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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