The Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now, December 2014

by Daniel Gerzina Dec 4, 2014, 12:10pm CST

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by Daniel Gerzina Dec 4, 2014, 12:10pm CST

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.

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 on a regular basis to always highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

12/05/13 Added: Eataly, Nico Osteria, A10, The Radler

01/02/14 Added: Cicchetti, Coppervine, Baffo

02/06/14 Added: 42 Grams, Green Street Smoked Meats, Kinmont

03/06/14 Added: Boka, Spritz Burger, Stella Barra Pizzeria

04/03/14 Added: Leghorn, Tete Charcuterie, Bottlefork

05/01/14 Added: Cocello, Japonais by Morimoto, Yum Cha

06/05/14 Added: Parachute, Laughing Bird, Ramen-San

07/03/14 Added: Knife & Tine, Masada, Boltwood

08/07/14 Added: The Promontory, mfk, Bohemian House, Osteria Langhe

09/04/14 Added: RPM Steak, Xoco Wicker Park, Salero

10/02/14 Added: Dove's Luncheonette, Umami Burger, Baker Miller Bakery & Millhouse

11/06/14 Added: Momotaro, Shake Shack, Charlatan, The Kitchen

12/05/14 Added: Oak + Char, Roxie's By The Slice, Fahlstrom's Fresh Fish Market

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

Bohemian House

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Downtown now has a beautiful and creative Eastern European restaurant with no TVs amidst the River North nightlife.

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11 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 955-0439

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RPM Steak

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A glitzy see-and-be-seen spot with some culinary cred, RPM Steak looks like an exclusive 50's steakhouse but has a diverse and current menu.

66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 284-4990

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Dove's Luncheonette

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The latest from Paul Kahan and One Off Hospitality is predictably drawing eaters from around the city. Head to the Tex-Mex diner next to Big Star for interesting twists on Mexican and Texan classics and a wide selection of tequila and mezcal.

1545 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 645-4060

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Momotaro

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The latest project from the Boka Group may just be their crown jewel. Three floors beckon in the West Loop, full of different styles of Japanese cuisine, bars, and an eye-popping design.

820 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

(312) 733-4818

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MFK.

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Look for pretty seafood dishes and a summer-all-the-time vibe in an intimate white-washed room on Diversey.

432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 857-2540

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Salero

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The team behind Lakeview's Wood have brought cuisine from the Basque region of Spain to a minimalist candlelit space on Randolph Row.

621 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

(312) 466-1000

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Shake Shack

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Years in the making, Chicago finally has a location of Danny Meyer's worldwide burger sensation. Be prepared for lines and delicious, affordable food.

66 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611

312.667.1701

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Baker Miller

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The new bakery and cafe from the former Bang Bang Pie Shop owners was so busy in the early going that they had to cut back on hours. Try sweet and savory baked goods made with flours milled in-house and composed dishes at all three meals.

4610 Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625

(773) 654-3610

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Charlatan

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The new restaurant from the Three Aces guys brings an edgy vibe, an array of pastas, and creative dishes like the pig's head for two to the former West Town Tavern space.

1329 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

(312) 818-2073

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The Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now, January 2015

Umami Burger

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Diners are flocking to Wicker Park to taste the forward-thinking burgers, cocktails, and sides at Umami Burger's first location off the coasts.

1480 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 423-2005

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The Kitchen

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The Colorado philanthropic import brought former Telegraph chef Johnny Anderes into a gorgeous buildout overlooking the Chicago River.

316 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 836-1300

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Oak + Char

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There's plenty of heat at Oak + Char, the former Untitled guys' new restaurant with wood-burning cuisine and chic wood-themed remodeling of Graham Elliot's former stomping grounds.