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The Eater Chicago Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Daniel Gerzina
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by Daniel Gerzina
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.

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. And keep in mind, this list is presented in no particular order.



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

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

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Boka

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The Boka revamp features a brand new style from acclaimed chef Lee Wolen. A new buildout, 180 degrees from the prior look, adds to the more approachable vibe.

1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-6070
(312) 337-6070

Also featured in:

Green Street Smoked Meats

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The busiest restaurateur in Chicago, Brendan Sodikoff, has unveiled a concept unlike any he's unleashed yet. Barbecue springs from smokers inside a raw West Loop warehouse that also houses his tiny ramen shop in the basement (High Five Ramen) and eventually a juice bar.

112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 754-0434
(312) 754-0434

Also featured in:

Parachute

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Top chef alum Beverly Kim and husband John Clark opened their first restaurant and eaters around the city are flocking to check out the unpretentious and inventive Korean-American cuisine.

3500 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 654-1460
(773) 654-1460

Also featured in:

Tête Charcuterie

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Randolph Row has a new house of meats and cocktails. Delayed for many months, swing by Tete for its glass charcuterie bar and artisan dishes.

1114 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-1178
(312) 733-1178

Also featured in:

Laughing Bird

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The reconcept of Tank Sushi has brought former Bar Pastoral chef Chrissy Camba's Filipino food to an appreciative audience.

4514 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
773.506.2473
773.506.2473

Also featured in:

The Promontory

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The Longman & Eagle crew's new beauty brings creative hearth-fired dishes, a choose-your-own cocktail menu, and live music to the South Side.

5311 S Lake Park West, Chicago, IL 60615
(312) 801-2100
(312) 801-2100

Also featured in:

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
(773) 857-2540

Also featured in:

Bohemian House

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

11 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 955-0439
(312) 955-0439

Also featured in:

Boltwood

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Head north of the border to taste a Paul Kahan protege's menu of unpretentious market-driven food.

804 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.859.2880
847.859.2880

Also featured in:

Knife & Tine

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Former Moto and iNG chef Nate Park is cooking inventive takes on comfort food day and night in the former stomping grounds of Dale Levitski.

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 697-8311
(773) 697-8311

Also featured in:

Osteria Langhe

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The Piemonte region of Italy is authentically displayed on Armitage in Logan Square and is already drawing a who's who industry crowd.

2824 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-1582
(773) 661-1582

Also featured in:

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
(312) 284-4990

Also featured in:

Xoco Wicker Park

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Rick Bayless' first new Chicago restaurant in more than four years has brought tortas, hard to find craft beer, brunch and much more to Wicker Park.

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Also featured in:

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
(312) 466-1000

Also featured in:

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Boka

1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

The Boka revamp features a brand new style from acclaimed chef Lee Wolen. A new buildout, 180 degrees from the prior look, adds to the more approachable vibe.

1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-6070
(312) 337-6070

Green Street Smoked Meats

112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607

The busiest restaurateur in Chicago, Brendan Sodikoff, has unveiled a concept unlike any he's unleashed yet. Barbecue springs from smokers inside a raw West Loop warehouse that also houses his tiny ramen shop in the basement (High Five Ramen) and eventually a juice bar.

112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 754-0434
(312) 754-0434

Parachute

3500 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Top chef alum Beverly Kim and husband John Clark opened their first restaurant and eaters around the city are flocking to check out the unpretentious and inventive Korean-American cuisine.

3500 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 654-1460
(773) 654-1460

Tête Charcuterie

1114 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Randolph Row has a new house of meats and cocktails. Delayed for many months, swing by Tete for its glass charcuterie bar and artisan dishes.

1114 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-1178
(312) 733-1178

Laughing Bird

4514 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

The reconcept of Tank Sushi has brought former Bar Pastoral chef Chrissy Camba's Filipino food to an appreciative audience.

4514 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
773.506.2473
773.506.2473

The Promontory

5311 S Lake Park West, Chicago, IL 60615

The Longman & Eagle crew's new beauty brings creative hearth-fired dishes, a choose-your-own cocktail menu, and live music to the South Side.

5311 S Lake Park West, Chicago, IL 60615
(312) 801-2100
(312) 801-2100

Mfk.

432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

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
(773) 857-2540

Bohemian House

11 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654

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

11 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 955-0439
(312) 955-0439

Boltwood

804 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201

Head north of the border to taste a Paul Kahan protege's menu of unpretentious market-driven food.

804 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.859.2880
847.859.2880

Knife & Tine

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL

Former Moto and iNG chef Nate Park is cooking inventive takes on comfort food day and night in the former stomping grounds of Dale Levitski.

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 697-8311
(773) 697-8311

Osteria Langhe

2824 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

The Piemonte region of Italy is authentically displayed on Armitage in Logan Square and is already drawing a who's who industry crowd.

2824 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-1582
(773) 661-1582

RPM Steak

66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

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
(312) 284-4990

Xoco Wicker Park

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Rick Bayless' first new Chicago restaurant in more than four years has brought tortas, hard to find craft beer, brunch and much more to Wicker Park.

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Salero

621 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

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
(312) 466-1000

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