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The Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

Updated for March 2015.

by Missy Frederick
View as Map
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, Marcel's makes way for Orange Anchor, and the adjacent restaurant to Summer House Santa Monica, Stella Barra, is added to the list. One suburban restaurant and bar also makes way for another: replacing B-Side is Alexandria's new Mason Social.

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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:

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:

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:

China Chilcano

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The latest offering from DC megachef Jose Andres focuses on Peruvian chifa cuisine. Expect dishes like sushi, chaufa and ceviche. Cocktails emphasize pisco.

418 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 638-1910
(202) 638-1910

Also featured in:

Thip Khao

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Chef Seng Luangrath's Lao cooking already had a cult following in Falls Church at Bangkok Golden. Now, she has a D.C. restaurant to better showcase the complex flavors of the cuisine. The "jungle" menu is particularly unique and spicy.

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Also featured in:

BUL

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The team from Sakuramen have opened this restaurant (open late to cater to Adams Morgan nightlife participants) of Korean skewers and traditional dishes. The "hangover" soup and seafood pancake are among early favorites.

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Also featured in:

Summer House Santa Monica/Stella Barra

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The second location nationally of this California-inspired restaurant opened in the new Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda/Rockville. Dishes from Jeff Mahin range from steak frites to sushi in a breezy, artfully designed setting. Stella Barra, its sister restaurant, just opened in a space adjacent to the restaurant, serving up pizzas.

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 881-2381
(301) 881-2381

Mango Tree

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This collaboration between Richard Sandoval and Pitaya Phanphensophon has brought Thai cooking to CityCenterDC. The restaurant is well-known internationally; this is its first U.S. outpost.

929 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-8100
(202) 408-8100

Also featured in:

Kapnos Taverna

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Seafood towers for Ballston: this restaurant from George Pagonis and Mike Isabella serves up Greek cuisine like its sister restaurant downtown. But there is more of an emphasis on traditional cooking and seafood.

4000 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 243-4400
(703) 243-4400

Also featured in:

Halsa

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Bone broth first found its way to Washington with this health-focused fast casual restaurant. It's located in the burgeoning neighborhood of Brookland.

655 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
202 832 1131
202 832 1131

Orange Anchor

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This new bar from Reese Gardner serves up seafood and cocktails, and has one particularly interesting twist — boats can pull up to the dock and purchase drinks and food directly from the waterfront restaurant.

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 802-9990
(202) 802-9990

Also featured in:

Mason Social

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The Parker-Gray neighborhood of Alexandria has been getting more interesting courtesy of additions like Mason Social. Mason jars figure into the decor and dishes like a bone marrow burger can be found on the menu.

728 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-8800
(703) 548-8800

Also featured in:

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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

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

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

China Chilcano

418 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

The latest offering from DC megachef Jose Andres focuses on Peruvian chifa cuisine. Expect dishes like sushi, chaufa and ceviche. Cocktails emphasize pisco.

418 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 638-1910
(202) 638-1910

Thip Khao

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Chef Seng Luangrath's Lao cooking already had a cult following in Falls Church at Bangkok Golden. Now, she has a D.C. restaurant to better showcase the complex flavors of the cuisine. The "jungle" menu is particularly unique and spicy.

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

BUL

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The team from Sakuramen have opened this restaurant (open late to cater to Adams Morgan nightlife participants) of Korean skewers and traditional dishes. The "hangover" soup and seafood pancake are among early favorites.

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Summer House Santa Monica/Stella Barra

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852

The second location nationally of this California-inspired restaurant opened in the new Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda/Rockville. Dishes from Jeff Mahin range from steak frites to sushi in a breezy, artfully designed setting. Stella Barra, its sister restaurant, just opened in a space adjacent to the restaurant, serving up pizzas.

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 881-2381
(301) 881-2381

Mango Tree

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

This collaboration between Richard Sandoval and Pitaya Phanphensophon has brought Thai cooking to CityCenterDC. The restaurant is well-known internationally; this is its first U.S. outpost.

929 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-8100
(202) 408-8100

Kapnos Taverna

4000 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

Seafood towers for Ballston: this restaurant from George Pagonis and Mike Isabella serves up Greek cuisine like its sister restaurant downtown. But there is more of an emphasis on traditional cooking and seafood.

4000 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 243-4400
(703) 243-4400

Halsa

655 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20017

Bone broth first found its way to Washington with this health-focused fast casual restaurant. It's located in the burgeoning neighborhood of Brookland.

655 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
202 832 1131
202 832 1131

Orange Anchor

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

This new bar from Reese Gardner serves up seafood and cocktails, and has one particularly interesting twist — boats can pull up to the dock and purchase drinks and food directly from the waterfront restaurant.

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 802-9990
(202) 802-9990

Mason Social

728 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

The Parker-Gray neighborhood of Alexandria has been getting more interesting courtesy of additions like Mason Social. Mason jars figure into the decor and dishes like a bone marrow burger can be found on the menu.

728 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-8800
(703) 548-8800

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