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The Bay Area Heatmap: Where To Eat 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 continually to highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking at the moment.

Check out the map of the Bay Area's hottest restaurants right now below (in no particular order), and drop any feedback in the comments section.


9/5/13: Added The Cavalier, La Urbana, Palmer's Tavern, Pesce, Stuffed

8/1/13: Added Mikkeller Bar, Bouli Bar, Rustic, Homestead, Aliment

7/11/13: Added 20th Century Cafe, Barrel House Tavern, Heartbaker, Le Marais Bakery, Roka Akor, Redford, Waiheke Island Yacht Club

6/6/13: Added Osso Steakhouse, Mason Pacific, Novela, MKT Restaurant and Bar, Mama Ji's, El Techo de Lolinda, The Palace, A16 Rockridge

5/2/13: Added Coqueta, Seaglass, Tribune Tavern

4/4/13: Added Padrecito, Hard Water, Hutong, 20 Spot

3/7/13: Added b. patisserie, South at SFJAZZ

2/7/13: Added Trick Dog, Saison, and Hi-Lo BBQ

1/7/13: Added Ramen Shop, Rickybobby, American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, and KronnerBurger

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Barrel House Tavern

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It's hard to miss when you've got a view of the Bay as lovely as Barrel House Tavern's, but a smart menu of French fare from Mirepoix's former chef, as well as exquisite decor and a cool house soda program, definitely don't hurt.

heartbaker

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A bakery in every pot seems to be the mission of the SF food world in 2013, and former Kokkari and Aqua pastry chef Sybil Johnson has a lovely one in the Richmond, with cookies, cheesecake, cupcakes, cream puffs, creme brulee...and that's only the Cs.

Le Marais Bakery

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The Marina finally has a top-notch bakery to call its own, with French bread and viennoiserie aplenty and desserts from an Aziza and Presidio Social Club alum. The decor is also a notch above the standard for a bakery.

Palmer's Tavern

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Though owners Klaus and Albert Rainer (Leopold's) seemingly don't want anyone to know about it, their revamp of the former Long Bar is open, with swanky cocktails, a clubby vibe, and hearty food like salmon and steak.

Mason Pacific

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This chic new bistro atop Russian Hill is distinguished by its love for vino, with a nifty Copain draft-wine program and a deep reserve list. The chef has cooked at some of the best restaurants in both Paris and SF, and the eclectic menu is fresh and approachable.

Roka Akor

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This big, glitzy new edition of the Illinois-based Japanese chain is a looker, with flown-from-Japan sushi, robata-grilled steaks, and a huge bar in the basement.

aliment

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This classy new restaurant from Blue Plate and Nob Hill Grille alums is a welcome addition to the Tendernob, and with fried chicken and braised short ribs on the menu, it's definitely got its comfort-food bonafides on lock.

Redford

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This American tavern in the former Ambassador space isn't fancy, but for simple pub grub, flights of wine and whiskey, and cool decor, it's a friendly, relaxing option.

Waiheke Island Yacht Club

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The America's Cup has brought a terrific pop-up to town: Waiheke Island Yacht Club boasts chefs and staff from one of Auckland's most acclaimed restaurants, and while the atmosphere is industrial, the food is sublime. It all ends December 31, so get in while you can.

Coqueta

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Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello's new Spanish spot is packing them in for tapas, inventive cocktails (liquid-nitrogen sangria!) and the ever-exquisite Bay views. At only 50-odd seats, though, this one's a hot ticket that's filling up fast; reservations are a must.

Bouli Bar

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The Ferry Building sequel to Boulette's Larder is still getting underway, but they'll eventually have cocktails and dinner entrees to complement the wood-fired pizzas and authentic mezze they're currently serving up at lunch.

Mikkeller Bar

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Beer lovers would be hard-pressed to find a selection more outstanding at this gleaming bar from the Trappist team and the famed Danish gypsy brewer, and Michael O'Brien's food provides a solid farm-to-table pub grub foundation.

The Cavalier

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The latest project from the power ladies behind Marlowe and Park Tavern takes a British turn, with Welsh rarebit, lamb scrumpets, and a riff on their infamous burger. Cocktails abound, and the clubby space has taxidermy to spare.

La Urbana

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Divisadero gets another huge project in the form of this splashy nouveau-Mexican spot, which is less about tacos and more about clam menudo and fancy surf-and-turf, plus cocktails and a wide selection of mezcal. (A casual taqueria component, Mercado Urbano, will open later in the fall.)

20th Century Cafe

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Michelle Polzine, Range's star pastry chef, now has a bakery of her own, with Eastern European-inspired offerings like potato knish, Russian honey cake, and poppyseed bagels to enjoy with a cup of coffee. A few lunchtime savory options are also offered, like chicken paprikash and kale soup.

Pesce Seafood Bar

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The original project from the duo behind Beretta and Delarosa has moved from Russian Hill to an upscale new home on Market Street, where there are more seats, fancier decor, revamped menu items (still along the original theme of Venetian seafood), and updated cocktails.

Mama Ji's

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Good dim sum in the Castro? It seems impossible, but the sticky lotus-leaf rice, pot stickers, and veggie buns will make you a believer. Plus, there's spicy Sichuan cuisine at dinner and Belgian beer aplenty.

El Techo de Lolinda

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Though it's atop Lolinda, El Techo is very much its own entity, with a separate food and cocktail menu and, of course, that to-die-for view. Added bonus: the tenting and glass walls, which keep things toasty for SF "summer" without sacrificing the vista.

Stuffed

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Dana Sacco and Andy Schoengrund's Mission tribute to pierogi is finally open, with both classic stuffings and unusual twists like smoked salmon and buffalo pierogi. They'll be bringing in Midwestern beers soon, too, and they're open late (midnight on weekends) for a good post-bar bite.

This cheerful new Mission pizzeria serves up tasty Neapolitan pies with plenty of beer, but its real attraction will be open just in time for SF summer: an enormous patio, complete with two bocce courts.

The Palace

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Frills are few at Manny Torres Gimenez' new Mission steakhouse, but the high-quality food (lobster, oysters, filet) from the SPQR and Quince alum, not to mention its BYOB status and $50 tasting menu, elevate it to heatmap status.

Tribune Tavern

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Chris Pastena's latest project is getting attention for Huw Thornton's meat-heavy pub menu, the inventive cocktail program, and a strong beer and wine selection. The cool historic vibe of the Tribune building doesn't hurt either.

Homestead

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This husband-and-wife restaurant is ambitious, yet laid-back, with a gorgeous home in a '20s Julia Morgan building and adventurous comfort food like duck confit tortellini and chili-rubbed pork.

A16 Rockridge

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The Marina staple's new Oakland sister spot retains its focus on pizza and pasta, but with more of an emphasis on seafood and some unusual pies. The mothership's amazing wine selection remains, and unlike the original, it's got a full liquor license and cocktails.

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Barrel House Tavern

It's hard to miss when you've got a view of the Bay as lovely as Barrel House Tavern's, but a smart menu of French fare from Mirepoix's former chef, as well as exquisite decor and a cool house soda program, definitely don't hurt.

heartbaker

A bakery in every pot seems to be the mission of the SF food world in 2013, and former Kokkari and Aqua pastry chef Sybil Johnson has a lovely one in the Richmond, with cookies, cheesecake, cupcakes, cream puffs, creme brulee...and that's only the Cs.

Le Marais Bakery

The Marina finally has a top-notch bakery to call its own, with French bread and viennoiserie aplenty and desserts from an Aziza and Presidio Social Club alum. The decor is also a notch above the standard for a bakery.

Palmer's Tavern

Though owners Klaus and Albert Rainer (Leopold's) seemingly don't want anyone to know about it, their revamp of the former Long Bar is open, with swanky cocktails, a clubby vibe, and hearty food like salmon and steak.

Mason Pacific

This chic new bistro atop Russian Hill is distinguished by its love for vino, with a nifty Copain draft-wine program and a deep reserve list. The chef has cooked at some of the best restaurants in both Paris and SF, and the eclectic menu is fresh and approachable.

Roka Akor

This big, glitzy new edition of the Illinois-based Japanese chain is a looker, with flown-from-Japan sushi, robata-grilled steaks, and a huge bar in the basement.

aliment

This classy new restaurant from Blue Plate and Nob Hill Grille alums is a welcome addition to the Tendernob, and with fried chicken and braised short ribs on the menu, it's definitely got its comfort-food bonafides on lock.

Redford

This American tavern in the former Ambassador space isn't fancy, but for simple pub grub, flights of wine and whiskey, and cool decor, it's a friendly, relaxing option.

Waiheke Island Yacht Club

The America's Cup has brought a terrific pop-up to town: Waiheke Island Yacht Club boasts chefs and staff from one of Auckland's most acclaimed restaurants, and while the atmosphere is industrial, the food is sublime. It all ends December 31, so get in while you can.

Coqueta

Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello's new Spanish spot is packing them in for tapas, inventive cocktails (liquid-nitrogen sangria!) and the ever-exquisite Bay views. At only 50-odd seats, though, this one's a hot ticket that's filling up fast; reservations are a must.

Bouli Bar

The Ferry Building sequel to Boulette's Larder is still getting underway, but they'll eventually have cocktails and dinner entrees to complement the wood-fired pizzas and authentic mezze they're currently serving up at lunch.