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The Bay Area Heatmap: Where To Eat NOW

by Allie Pape
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by Allie Pape
1 comment / new

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, and drop any feedback in the comments section.


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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b. patisserie

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Belinda Leong's wildly popular new pastry shop faced sellout crowds in the early going, but has settled into its groove as customers flock for her famous kouign amann, the exquisite grande macaron, and the luscious chocolate-caramel-toffee mousse.

2821 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 440-1700
(415) 440-1700

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.

Pier 5 - The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
(415) 704-8866
(415) 704-8866

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Seaglass Restaurant

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Yeah, it's a museum restaurant, but with the gorgeous Bay views in that glass box, Cal-Med fare from Loretta Keller, and master sushi chef Sachio Kojima manning the raw bar, this one's not to be overlooked. You don't need a ticket to dine, but do note the wonky hours; it's really only open for dinner on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the latter night is 18+ only, so don't bring the kids.

Exploratorium Pier 15/17, San Fracisco, Ca

Also featured in:

Hard Water

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Good luck scoring a seat at Charles Phan's shoebox-sized Embarcadero whiskey bar, but if you can get in, you'll be greeted by an impossibly rare collection of bourbons curated by Erik Adkins, tasty Southern-inspired small plates, and a nice Bay view.

Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94105
415-392-3021
415-392-3021

Also featured in:

Saison

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SF's most expensive restaurant has moved to a gorgeous new home, and Josh Skenes' fire-driven creations define "hot" in more ways than one. The new $88 lounge tasting menu is a good entry point for those who can't drop $400 for dinner with wine pairings.

178 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 828-7990
(415) 828-7990

Also featured in:

Rich Table

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Alums of Bouley in New York and Coi in SF, husband-and-wife team Sarah and Evan Rich spent months fine-tuning the menu for Rich Table with a pop-up. Now their Hayes Valley restaurant is fully formed, serving refined riffs on comfort fare such as pork belly panzanella, and a wicked market-fresh cocktail list.

199 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 355-9085
(415) 355-9085

Also featured in:

Padrecito

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The latest project from the Mamacita, Umami, and Tipsy Pig team has been drawing lots of love from the neighborhood with upscale Mexican fare, tasty tequila cocktails, and a homey, yet lively atmosphere. It's a nice addition to the fairly quiet food scene in Cole Valley.

901 Cole, San Francisco, Ca 94117
(415) 742-5505
(415) 742-5505

Also featured in:

KronnerBurger

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Chef Chris Kronner's once cult-followed Bar Tartine burger returns from the ashes at KronnerBurger. The menu includes the famous marrow burger, "crabburger," beef cheek-gravy-covered fries, and cocktails from current Locanda bar manager Gabe Lowe. Dinner is served until late every night but Saturday, in a vacant space next to Bruno's—adding the right dose of edgy mystique to make for true "hotness."

2379 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 643-5200
(415) 643-5200

Hi Lo BBQ

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Ryan Ostler and Scott Youkilis' new 'cue spot in the Mission is lively, tasty, and won't leave you feeling like you've swallowed a bowling ball. Grab one of Scott Beattie's wild-cherry bourbon rickeys and order up the tender ribs, the sake-braised pork belly, or the insanely good brussels sprouts. They're serving all day now, too, with $2 beers at lunch and killer new desserts from Katherine Zacher.

3416 19th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 874-9921
(415) 874-9921

Also featured in:

20 Spot

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This adorable Mission wine bar, housed in a former record shop, has an intriguing menu of small plates from Sea Salt alum Anthony Paone to pair with its lovely mid-century modern decor and thoughtful wine and beer selection.

3565 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 624-3140
(415) 624-3140

Also featured in:

Trick Dog

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With reports of lines nearly every night, this Mission bar/gastropub from the Bon Vivants might be too hot to handle. But if you can make it inside, the cool decor, Pantone-colored menu, perfectly balanced drinks, and tasty pub grub like fried sweetbreads will win you over. Added bonus: the kitchen's open until 2 am.

3010 20th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 471-2999
(415) 471-2999

Also featured in:

Ramen Shop

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Chez Panisse vets Sam White and Rayneil De Guzman have been earning raves for the authentic bowls of noodles and tasty small plates at this Oakland hotspot (but with no reservations, be prepared to wait, and wait). A sleek woodshop feel, earthy handmade dishes, and cocktails expertly shaken by Beretta alum Christa Manolo complete the picture.

5812 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
510-788-6370
510-788-6370

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.

401 13th Street, Oakland, CA
510 452 8742
510 452 8742

Also featured in:

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b. patisserie

2821 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

Belinda Leong's wildly popular new pastry shop faced sellout crowds in the early going, but has settled into its groove as customers flock for her famous kouign amann, the exquisite grande macaron, and the luscious chocolate-caramel-toffee mousse.

2821 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 440-1700
(415) 440-1700

Coqueta

Pier 5 - The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA

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.

Pier 5 - The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
(415) 704-8866
(415) 704-8866

Seaglass Restaurant

Exploratorium Pier 15/17, San Fracisco, Ca

Yeah, it's a museum restaurant, but with the gorgeous Bay views in that glass box, Cal-Med fare from Loretta Keller, and master sushi chef Sachio Kojima manning the raw bar, this one's not to be overlooked. You don't need a ticket to dine, but do note the wonky hours; it's really only open for dinner on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the latter night is 18+ only, so don't bring the kids.

Exploratorium Pier 15/17, San Fracisco, Ca

Hard Water

Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94105

Good luck scoring a seat at Charles Phan's shoebox-sized Embarcadero whiskey bar, but if you can get in, you'll be greeted by an impossibly rare collection of bourbons curated by Erik Adkins, tasty Southern-inspired small plates, and a nice Bay view.

Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94105
415-392-3021
415-392-3021

Saison

178 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

SF's most expensive restaurant has moved to a gorgeous new home, and Josh Skenes' fire-driven creations define "hot" in more ways than one. The new $88 lounge tasting menu is a good entry point for those who can't drop $400 for dinner with wine pairings.

178 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 828-7990
(415) 828-7990

Rich Table

199 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Alums of Bouley in New York and Coi in SF, husband-and-wife team Sarah and Evan Rich spent months fine-tuning the menu for Rich Table with a pop-up. Now their Hayes Valley restaurant is fully formed, serving refined riffs on comfort fare such as pork belly panzanella, and a wicked market-fresh cocktail list.

199 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 355-9085
(415) 355-9085

Padrecito

901 Cole, San Francisco, Ca 94117

The latest project from the Mamacita, Umami, and Tipsy Pig team has been drawing lots of love from the neighborhood with upscale Mexican fare, tasty tequila cocktails, and a homey, yet lively atmosphere. It's a nice addition to the fairly quiet food scene in Cole Valley.

901 Cole, San Francisco, Ca 94117
(415) 742-5505
(415) 742-5505

KronnerBurger

2379 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Chef Chris Kronner's once cult-followed Bar Tartine burger returns from the ashes at KronnerBurger. The menu includes the famous marrow burger, "crabburger," beef cheek-gravy-covered fries, and cocktails from current Locanda bar manager Gabe Lowe. Dinner is served until late every night but Saturday, in a vacant space next to Bruno's—adding the right dose of edgy mystique to make for true "hotness."

2379 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 643-5200
(415) 643-5200

Hi Lo BBQ

3416 19th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Ryan Ostler and Scott Youkilis' new 'cue spot in the Mission is lively, tasty, and won't leave you feeling like you've swallowed a bowling ball. Grab one of Scott Beattie's wild-cherry bourbon rickeys and order up the tender ribs, the sake-braised pork belly, or the insanely good brussels sprouts. They're serving all day now, too, with $2 beers at lunch and killer new desserts from Katherine Zacher.

3416 19th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 874-9921
(415) 874-9921

20 Spot

3565 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This adorable Mission wine bar, housed in a former record shop, has an intriguing menu of small plates from Sea Salt alum Anthony Paone to pair with its lovely mid-century modern decor and thoughtful wine and beer selection.

3565 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 624-3140
(415) 624-3140

Trick Dog

3010 20th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

With reports of lines nearly every night, this Mission bar/gastropub from the Bon Vivants might be too hot to handle. But if you can make it inside, the cool decor, Pantone-colored menu, perfectly balanced drinks, and tasty pub grub like fried sweetbreads will win you over. Added bonus: the kitchen's open until 2 am.

3010 20th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 471-2999
(415) 471-2999

Ramen Shop

5812 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618

Chez Panisse vets Sam White and Rayneil De Guzman have been earning raves for the authentic bowls of noodles and tasty small plates at this Oakland hotspot (but with no reservations, be prepared to wait, and wait). A sleek woodshop feel, earthy handmade dishes, and cocktails expertly shaken by Beretta alum Christa Manolo complete the picture.

5812 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
510-788-6370
510-788-6370

Tribune Tavern

401 13th Street, Oakland, CA

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.

401 13th Street, Oakland, CA
510 452 8742
510 452 8742

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