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Updating the Eater DC Heatmap, Where to Eat Right Now

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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 time around, let's welcome The Coupe, Columbia Heights' destination for 24/7 eating and drinking, Drafting Table, the casual gastropub from Aaron Gordon, and Satellite Room, the latest hot spot from the Hilton brothers.

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Satellite Room

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Diners have flocked to Satellite Room for everything from huevos rancheros to buttermilk pancakes. Though the Brixton's still hopping, this is the newest addition to the Hilton Bros. empire, and is perfect for a post 9:30 club stop-off.

The Coupe

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Nothing like a 24-hour, non-chain diner to get the attention of Columbia Heights diners. This restaurant from the team behind Open City and The Diner has convinced the crowds to sample dishes such as frogs legs buffalo wings and a pad thai omelet, not to mention more than 50 different wines.

Drafting Table

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Aaron Gordon's Drafting Table is a relaxed bar with interesting food choices like a "sexy egg sandwich" and duck confit. Soccer fans can catch games on the TV screens, while vegetarians can snack on options such as falafel.

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria

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Fuego Cocina y Tequileria is the newest effort from Passion Food Hospitality, which celebrated the one year anniversary of their last restaurant District Commons just as Fuego burst onto the scene in Clarendon. This is the group's take on Mexican food, aiming for authentic and lots of heat. The tequileria downstairs offers more than 100 tequilas.

Pleasant Pops Farmhouse Market & Cafe

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Beloved farmers' market staple Pleasant Pops expanded into their very first retail store and cafe in mid-September. Beyond a selection of their popular paleta popsicles, Pleasant Pops is offering a small and fully vegetarian menu of salads and sandwiches — such as the peanut butter and Nutella sandwich with local preserves.

Union Market

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The long-awaited Union Market finally made its epic debut in early September and while several of the vendors have yet to open up shop, it has been a high-buzz go-to spot for a meal. The Rappahannock Oyster Bar is the Union Market's first restaurant space and has been receiving high marks from fellow chefs and everyday diners alike.

Eamonn's, TNT Bar

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Arlington has been abuzz since the Cathal Armstrong and his Eat Good Food Group opened a second outpost of their Dublin chipper Eamonn's out on Columbia Pike. And causing even more of a stir? The accompanying TNT Bar from mixologist Todd Thrasher.

Tacos El Chilango

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Beloved Arlington food truck Tacos El Chilango expanded out to a brick-and-mortar space in the U Street Corridor. Still slinging the cheap and delicious tacos for which they became known, Tacos El Chilango offers al pastor, chicken with pork sausage and several new meatless varieties of tacos. This is the latest in a spate of taco-centric arrivals and some suspect it is one of the best.

Izakaya Seki

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Right next door to Tacos El Chilango is another newcomer that has lots of people talking. Izakaya Seki quietly opened at the end of July, but has steadily since grabbed the attention of Washingtonians — including local critics — with its Japanese menu that goes well beyond sushi and sashimi. Early diners have filed raves for the Mero grilled with miso, octopus, tuna and more.

El Chucho Cocina Superior

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Columbia Heights scored a big win at the end of June when Silver Spring restaurateur Jackie Greenbaum made her DC inroads with the debut of El Chucho. It's been in the works for years, resulting in a taqueria inspired by Mexican street food with margaritas on tap, loads of tacos and traditional dishes like the torta ahogada.

Mintwood Place

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The buzz has been ballooning ever since this neighborhood spot featuring the cooking of Cedric Maupillier opened at the tail-end of January, and things only got crazier when the Obama family picked it for a recent dinner. It's a grown-up restaurant for a neighborhood that has long been short on them. The pickled deviled eggs, tagliatelle bolognese, flammekueche and hush puppies are worthy selections.

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Satellite Room

Diners have flocked to Satellite Room for everything from huevos rancheros to buttermilk pancakes. Though the Brixton's still hopping, this is the newest addition to the Hilton Bros. empire, and is perfect for a post 9:30 club stop-off.

The Coupe

Nothing like a 24-hour, non-chain diner to get the attention of Columbia Heights diners. This restaurant from the team behind Open City and The Diner has convinced the crowds to sample dishes such as frogs legs buffalo wings and a pad thai omelet, not to mention more than 50 different wines.

Drafting Table

Aaron Gordon's Drafting Table is a relaxed bar with interesting food choices like a "sexy egg sandwich" and duck confit. Soccer fans can catch games on the TV screens, while vegetarians can snack on options such as falafel.

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria is the newest effort from Passion Food Hospitality, which celebrated the one year anniversary of their last restaurant District Commons just as Fuego burst onto the scene in Clarendon. This is the group's take on Mexican food, aiming for authentic and lots of heat. The tequileria downstairs offers more than 100 tequilas.

Pleasant Pops Farmhouse Market & Cafe

Beloved farmers' market staple Pleasant Pops expanded into their very first retail store and cafe in mid-September. Beyond a selection of their popular paleta popsicles, Pleasant Pops is offering a small and fully vegetarian menu of salads and sandwiches — such as the peanut butter and Nutella sandwich with local preserves.

Union Market

The long-awaited Union Market finally made its epic debut in early September and while several of the vendors have yet to open up shop, it has been a high-buzz go-to spot for a meal. The Rappahannock Oyster Bar is the Union Market's first restaurant space and has been receiving high marks from fellow chefs and everyday diners alike.

Eamonn's, TNT Bar

Arlington has been abuzz since the Cathal Armstrong and his Eat Good Food Group opened a second outpost of their Dublin chipper Eamonn's out on Columbia Pike. And causing even more of a stir? The accompanying TNT Bar from mixologist Todd Thrasher.

Tacos El Chilango

Beloved Arlington food truck Tacos El Chilango expanded out to a brick-and-mortar space in the U Street Corridor. Still slinging the cheap and delicious tacos for which they became known, Tacos El Chilango offers al pastor, chicken with pork sausage and several new meatless varieties of tacos. This is the latest in a spate of taco-centric arrivals and some suspect it is one of the best.

Izakaya Seki

Right next door to Tacos El Chilango is another newcomer that has lots of people talking. Izakaya Seki quietly opened at the end of July, but has steadily since grabbed the attention of Washingtonians — including local critics — with its Japanese menu that goes well beyond sushi and sashimi. Early diners have filed raves for the Mero grilled with miso, octopus, tuna and more.

El Chucho Cocina Superior

Columbia Heights scored a big win at the end of June when Silver Spring restaurateur Jackie Greenbaum made her DC inroads with the debut of El Chucho. It's been in the works for years, resulting in a taqueria inspired by Mexican street food with margaritas on tap, loads of tacos and traditional dishes like the torta ahogada.

Mintwood Place

The buzz has been ballooning ever since this neighborhood spot featuring the cooking of Cedric Maupillier opened at the tail-end of January, and things only got crazier when the Obama family picked it for a recent dinner. It's a grown-up restaurant for a neighborhood that has long been short on them. The pickled deviled eggs, tagliatelle bolognese, flammekueche and hush puppies are worthy selections.

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