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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, it's time to say goodbye to Red Hen and Le Diplomate (both have graduated to the Eater 38), and hello to Menu MBK and Joe's Seafood.


08/01/2013: Added G, Bonchon
09/05/2013: Added Baby Wale, Doi Moi
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

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Kapnos/G

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Mike Isabella's latest place is a tribute to Greek cuisine, both traditional and modern. Smoky, wood-fired meats are a focus, as well as lemonade cocktails. The attached G restaurant serves up sandwiches by day and a tasting menu by night.

Doi Moi

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Doi Moi is the latest collaboration between Mark Kuller, Haidar Karoum and Adam Bernbach (Proof, Estadio), and fans of the group's work have been eager to see what they can do with Asian cuisine. Doi Moi serves dishes like khao soi gai (chicken and noodle curry) and other regional dishes from Thailand and Vietnam. The decor is primarily white, with accents brought back from Asia. Bernbach supervises the cocktail list at the restaurant and at 2 Birds 1 Stone, a basement bar.

Baby Wale

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Fans of Corduroy's Tom Power have waited for years for the chef to open another restaurant. They got one with Baby Wale, a more casual place serving up dishes like pupusas and a fine roast chicken. Baby Wale has an eye-catching design from Edit Lab at Streetsense.

Rose's Luxury

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Rose's Luxury is chef Aaron Silverman's white-hot local debut, serving dishes like popcorn soup and fennel-stuffed gnocchi. It all takes place in a cozy space on Barracks Row.

Water & Wall

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Rising star chef Tim Ma has increased the profile of his Maple Ave restaurant in Vienna from relatively-unknown suburban restaurant to Northern Virginia Magazine's #1 restaurant in Virginia. Water & Wall is the chef's second restaurant, and it's bigger and dressier. Look for dishes like an Asian-influenced shrimp and grits, a Burmese bouillabaisse and some addictive, creme fraiche-spiked chicken wings.

Bluejacket Brewery

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It's the brewery D.C. has been waiting for. Neighborhood Restaurant Group's brewery, along with its accompanying restaurant, The Arsenal, came on the scene with a whopping 20 new, ambitious beers and food to match, like fancy tater tots and beef heart tartare.

Osteria Morini

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Osteria Morini is New York restaurateur Michael White's first foray into the D.C. market. The restaurant boasts waterfront views, homemade pastas and elegant Italian dishes, as well as a selection of amari drinks.

Iron Gate

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Neighborhood Restaurant Group took one of D.C.'s oldest restaurants and made it their own. Iron Gate has a dramatic outdoor space, with a tree and vines climbing the walls. Tony Chittum's cooking leans Southern Italian and Greek, with a complementary wine program from sommelier Brent Kroll, and cocktails from Jeff Faile. There's a big ouzo selection, too. The restaurant is a la carte outdoors, and tasting menu-based inside.

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 - Market / BistroBar / Kitchen

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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.

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Kapnos/G

Mike Isabella's latest place is a tribute to Greek cuisine, both traditional and modern. Smoky, wood-fired meats are a focus, as well as lemonade cocktails. The attached G restaurant serves up sandwiches by day and a tasting menu by night.

Doi Moi

Doi Moi is the latest collaboration between Mark Kuller, Haidar Karoum and Adam Bernbach (Proof, Estadio), and fans of the group's work have been eager to see what they can do with Asian cuisine. Doi Moi serves dishes like khao soi gai (chicken and noodle curry) and other regional dishes from Thailand and Vietnam. The decor is primarily white, with accents brought back from Asia. Bernbach supervises the cocktail list at the restaurant and at 2 Birds 1 Stone, a basement bar.

Baby Wale

Fans of Corduroy's Tom Power have waited for years for the chef to open another restaurant. They got one with Baby Wale, a more casual place serving up dishes like pupusas and a fine roast chicken. Baby Wale has an eye-catching design from Edit Lab at Streetsense.

Rose's Luxury

Rose's Luxury is chef Aaron Silverman's white-hot local debut, serving dishes like popcorn soup and fennel-stuffed gnocchi. It all takes place in a cozy space on Barracks Row.

Water & Wall

Rising star chef Tim Ma has increased the profile of his Maple Ave restaurant in Vienna from relatively-unknown suburban restaurant to Northern Virginia Magazine's #1 restaurant in Virginia. Water & Wall is the chef's second restaurant, and it's bigger and dressier. Look for dishes like an Asian-influenced shrimp and grits, a Burmese bouillabaisse and some addictive, creme fraiche-spiked chicken wings.

Bluejacket Brewery

It's the brewery D.C. has been waiting for. Neighborhood Restaurant Group's brewery, along with its accompanying restaurant, The Arsenal, came on the scene with a whopping 20 new, ambitious beers and food to match, like fancy tater tots and beef heart tartare.

Osteria Morini

Osteria Morini is New York restaurateur Michael White's first foray into the D.C. market. The restaurant boasts waterfront views, homemade pastas and elegant Italian dishes, as well as a selection of amari drinks.

Iron Gate

Neighborhood Restaurant Group took one of D.C.'s oldest restaurants and made it their own. Iron Gate has a dramatic outdoor space, with a tree and vines climbing the walls. Tony Chittum's cooking leans Southern Italian and Greek, with a complementary wine program from sommelier Brent Kroll, and cocktails from Jeff Faile. There's a big ouzo selection, too. The restaurant is a la carte outdoors, and tasting menu-based inside.

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 - Market / BistroBar / Kitchen

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.

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