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Updating the Eater 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 month, some older restaurants make way for newcomers Soi 38, Dino's Grotto and Macon Bistro & Larder.


10/03/2013: Added Rose's Luxury
11/07/2013: Added Bluejacket, Water & Wall
12/05/2013: Added Osteria Morini, Iron Gate
01/02/2014: Added Republic
02/05/2014: Added Menu MBK, Joe's Prime Steak, Seafood & Stone Crab
03/06/2014: Added Aggio, Red Apron Penn Quarter, Roofers Union
04/03/2014: Added Toro Toro, The Partisan
05/01/2014: Added Compass Rose, Pizza Parts & Service
06/05/2014: Added Soi 38, Macon Bistro & Larder, Dino's Grotto

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Republic

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Jeff Black's latest project is also the brainchild of chef Danny Wells. Republic specializes in oysters and seafood fare, and is also a destination for live music in Takoma Park. The eclectic design, much of it made from refurbished items like vintage couches and even engines made into lamps, is another standout feature of the place, which has a huge bar and spacious back patio.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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Sure, it's a chain. But that hasn't quelled the anticipation over Joe's Prime Steak, Seafood and Stone Crab (one of the few places in Washington that specializes in that particular variety of crab). The restaurant is looking to establish itself as a new power spot, with its dramatic space and location, private dining rooms and other amenities.

Menu MBK

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Frederick de Pue has been a chef to watch since he burst on the scene last year with two restaurants, Table and Azur. Menu MBK is the replacement to the now-shuttered Azur, and this is an ambitious project located within the former Cafe Atlantico building. The combination market, bar and restaurant is drawing early attention for its selection, design and even for its cheese chariot.

Roofers Union

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The second restaurant from the Ripple team replaces the iconic bar, The Reef, in Adams Morgan. There's no trace of the place — instead, expect a stylish, multi-level restaurant with high-end comfort food dishes like gourmet corn dogs and a terrific, Asian-inspired fried chicken sandwich from chef Marjorie-Meek Bradley.

Bryan Voltaggio's latest project is a restaurant within a restaurant. Aggio serves up Italian and Italian-American leaning fare within the back room of Range. There will be a second version of the restaurant in Baltimore later this year.

Red Apron Butchery/The Partisan

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This is the third Red Apron location to hit D.C., and it's Neighborhood Restaurant Group's most ambitious version. The hybrid butcher shop, market and sandwich destination includes a new type of bread, the tigelle, and will emphasize breakfast. The adjoining restaurant, The Partisan, from Ed Witt and Nate Anda, serves up dishes like whole pig's head.

Toro Toro

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This Pan-Latin steakhouse comes from Richard Sandoval, and one is one of several celebrity chef-helmed steakhouses set to debut in DC this year. Toro Toro focuses on meats carved tableside, as well as a selection of small plates.

Compass Rose DC

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The design is eye-catching, the service is friendly and the menu is interesting. One of the most anticipated opening to date for 2014, Compass Rose boasts a small but wide-ranging menu of international street foods. There's mussels with sofrito, an addictive pizza-like Khachapuri, lamb kabobs, grilled quail, chaat and more. The wine list pulls from such regions as Georgia and Hungary.

Pizza Parts & Service

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Taylor Gourmet does pizza: the sandwich guys transformed their cheesesteak operation, Steak & Ice, into this pizza restaurant. There are pies, as well as options available by the slice, with toppings like meatball and broccoli rabe. Also on the menu: garlic knots and calzones.

Soi 38

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This Thai restaurant is getting some early attention for its authentic spin on street food, not to mention its eye-catching design. The restaurant owners have also paid attention to the drinks aspect of the experience, with cocktails courtesy of J.P. Caceres.

Dino's Grotto

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Dean Gold gets a second chance to make a splash with this new, fresh spin on his Cleveland Park restaurant. Some old favorites, like wild boar pasta and trotter tots, remain, but there are also new additions, like more cocktails and a goat stew.

Macon Bistro & Larder

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Chef Tony Brown draws from both French and Southern sensibilities for this neighborhood charmer. This new addition to Chevy Chase has cozy design and dishes ranging from fried green tomatoes to cauliflower steak.

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Republic

Jeff Black's latest project is also the brainchild of chef Danny Wells. Republic specializes in oysters and seafood fare, and is also a destination for live music in Takoma Park. The eclectic design, much of it made from refurbished items like vintage couches and even engines made into lamps, is another standout feature of the place, which has a huge bar and spacious back patio.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Sure, it's a chain. But that hasn't quelled the anticipation over Joe's Prime Steak, Seafood and Stone Crab (one of the few places in Washington that specializes in that particular variety of crab). The restaurant is looking to establish itself as a new power spot, with its dramatic space and location, private dining rooms and other amenities.

Menu MBK

Frederick de Pue has been a chef to watch since he burst on the scene last year with two restaurants, Table and Azur. Menu MBK is the replacement to the now-shuttered Azur, and this is an ambitious project located within the former Cafe Atlantico building. The combination market, bar and restaurant is drawing early attention for its selection, design and even for its cheese chariot.

Roofers Union

The second restaurant from the Ripple team replaces the iconic bar, The Reef, in Adams Morgan. There's no trace of the place — instead, expect a stylish, multi-level restaurant with high-end comfort food dishes like gourmet corn dogs and a terrific, Asian-inspired fried chicken sandwich from chef Marjorie-Meek Bradley.

Aggio

Bryan Voltaggio's latest project is a restaurant within a restaurant. Aggio serves up Italian and Italian-American leaning fare within the back room of Range. There will be a second version of the restaurant in Baltimore later this year.

Red Apron Butchery/The Partisan

This is the third Red Apron location to hit D.C., and it's Neighborhood Restaurant Group's most ambitious version. The hybrid butcher shop, market and sandwich destination includes a new type of bread, the tigelle, and will emphasize breakfast. The adjoining restaurant, The Partisan, from Ed Witt and Nate Anda, serves up dishes like whole pig's head.

Toro Toro

This Pan-Latin steakhouse comes from Richard Sandoval, and one is one of several celebrity chef-helmed steakhouses set to debut in DC this year. Toro Toro focuses on meats carved tableside, as well as a selection of small plates.

Compass Rose DC

The design is eye-catching, the service is friendly and the menu is interesting. One of the most anticipated opening to date for 2014, Compass Rose boasts a small but wide-ranging menu of international street foods. There's mussels with sofrito, an addictive pizza-like Khachapuri, lamb kabobs, grilled quail, chaat and more. The wine list pulls from such regions as Georgia and Hungary.

Pizza Parts & Service

Taylor Gourmet does pizza: the sandwich guys transformed their cheesesteak operation, Steak & Ice, into this pizza restaurant. There are pies, as well as options available by the slice, with toppings like meatball and broccoli rabe. Also on the menu: garlic knots and calzones.

Soi 38

This Thai restaurant is getting some early attention for its authentic spin on street food, not to mention its eye-catching design. The restaurant owners have also paid attention to the drinks aspect of the experience, with cocktails courtesy of J.P. Caceres.

Dino's Grotto

Dean Gold gets a second chance to make a splash with this new, fresh spin on his Cleveland Park restaurant. Some old favorites, like wild boar pasta and trotter tots, remain, but there are also new additions, like more cocktails and a goat stew.

Macon Bistro & Larder

Chef Tony Brown draws from both French and Southern sensibilities for this neighborhood charmer. This new addition to Chevy Chase has cozy design and dishes ranging from fried green tomatoes to cauliflower steak.

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