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The August 2014 Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Whitney Filloon
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by Whitney Filloon

Pondering where you should eat today, tonight, this weekend? Eater is back to answer that very question with our newest edition of the Heatmap—a guide to what's new, what's hot, and where folks in the know are lining up to dine.

Additions to this month's Heatmap include the newest installment to the city's ramen scene and a fresh Oak Lawn hot spot specializing in sausage and booze.

Got a suggestion for a restaurant you think deserves to be added to next month's Heatmap? Drop us a line or leave a comment and stay tuned for the next edition of the Heatmap, dropping the first Thursday of September.

Added: Ramen Hakata, Scotch & Sausage
Removed: Casa Rubia, Monkey King Noodle Co.



Heatmap History

August 2014
Added: Driftwood, Steel City Pops
Removed: El Come Taco, Glazed Donut Works

June 2014
Added: Knife, Pecan Lodge, San Salvaje, Stock & Barrel
Removed: Bolsa, CBD Provisions, Outpost, Vagabond

May 2014
Added: Bolsa, Vagabond
Removed: Barter

April 2014
Added: Outpost, Victor Tangos
Removed: Chino Chinatown, Kitchen LTO

March 2014
Added: El Come Taco, Kitchen LTO
Removed: Savor, Tanoshii Ramen

February 2014
Added: CrushCraft Thai, The Blind Butcher
Removed: Dee Lincoln Steak & Burger Bar, LUCK, The Rustic, Truck Yard

January 2014
Added: CrushCraft Thai, The Blind Butcher
Removed: Dee Lincoln Steak & Burger Bar, LUCK

December 2013
Added: Casa Rubia, LUCK
Removed: Pakpao Thai, Truck Yard

November 2013
Added: CBD Provisions, Dee Lincoln's Steak & Burger Bar, The Rustic, Toko V
Removed: Belly & Trumpet, Kitchen LTO, Mot Hai Ba, The Slow Bone

October 2013
Added: Kitchen LTO, Mesero Miguel, Monkey King Noodle Co., Savor, Tanoshii Ramen, Truck Yard
Removed: Boxwood Tap & Grill, Cock and Bull, Dallas Beer Kitchen, FT33, Mutts, Spoon Bar & Kitchen

September 2013
Added: Glazed Donut Works, Village Kitchen, Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern
Removed: 20 Feet, Cane Rosso White Rock, WORK.

August 2013
Added: Boxwood T&G, Cock & Bull, Dallas Beer Kitchen
Removed: HG Sply Co., Lark on the Park, Mercat Bistro

July 2013
Added: Mercat, Mutts, Pakpao Thai, WORK
Removed: Full Circle Tavern, Haystack Burgers & Barley, Hospitality Sweet

June 2013
Added: Haystack Burgers & Barley, HG Sply Co., Hospitality Sweet
Removed: Battuto, FM Smokehouse, Stampede 66

May 2013
Added: Cane Rosso White Rock, Full Circle Tavern, Mot Hai Ba, The Slow Bone
Removed: Double Wide, Sakhuu, The Lot, Yama Sushi

April 2013
Added: Lark on the Park, Double Wide, FM Smoke House, Yama Sushi, Battuto
Removed: TJ's Seafood Market, Outpost, Kenny's Smoke House, Village Marquee, Hopdoddy, Pop Diner

March 2013
Added: 20 Feet Seafood Joint, Belly & Trumpet, The Lot, Village Marquee
Removed: Ellen's Southern Kitchen, Joyce & Gigi's, La Ventana

February 2013
Added: Ellen's Southern Kitchen, Joyce and Gigi's, La Ventana, Kenny's Smoke House, Pop Diner
Removed: Boulevardier, Meso Maya, Bowl & Barrel, Jack's Southern Comfort Food, Meddlesome Moth

January 2013
Added: Meso Maya, Outpost American Tavern, Sakhuu
Removed: Monica's Nueva Cocina

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Blind Butcher

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Carnivores and vegetarians alike will find plenty to eat at this smash hit from Goodfriend owners Josh Yingling and Matt Tobin. Chef Oliver Sitrin is hitting it out of the park with meaty dishes like duck poutine with foie gras, housemade sausages and pastrami eggrolls, but there's also a vegan sausage, mushroom poutine and tasty salads.
1919 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 887-0000
(214) 887-0000

Also featured in:

Crushcraft Thai Street Eats

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This colorful Quadrangle spot is putting a fast-casual spin on authentic Thai food by chef Paul Singhapong. Grab a table under the impressive skylight and chow down on Thai classics like pad thai, papaya salad or kra-pao (ground pork with rice and a runny-yolked egg). Best of all, it's open till 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and has plenty of booze options including sake and refreshing Asian beers.
2800 Routh St Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 471-4446
(469) 471-4446

Also featured in:

Driftwood

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Driftwood has new ownership, a new chef, and a newly revamped bar featuring the best absinthe selection around. Pony up to the bar for oysters and an absinthe cocktail masterminded by Michael Martensen, or grab a booth in the dining room for artfully plated dishes like truffled snow crab with caviar or a gorgeous beet salad with goat cheese croquettes.
642 W. Davis St., Dallas, TX 75028
(214) 942-2530
(214) 942-2530

Gemma

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A little taste of Napa Valley hits Dallas via Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder's cozy, intimate Henderson Avenue restaurant decked out in classy Hamptons-style decor, with a heavy focus on what's local, seasonal and delicious -- think grass-fed beef tartare and ricotta cavatelli with wild boar ragu. Major bonus: Gemma is open till 1 a.m. for night owls.
2323 North Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 370-9426
(214) 370-9426

Knife

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Attention carnivores: John Tesar's modern take on the steakhouse at the Hotel Palomar is right where you want to be. Start off with a bacon tasting and ground-to-order steak tartare before moving on to a "new school" cut of prime Texas beef like the tri-tip, downright affordable at a mere $26 (or splurge on the 28-ounce Akaushi ribeye).
5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

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Pecan Lodge

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The crowds are bigger than ever at Pecan Lodge's new Deep Ellum digs, but the line also moves pretty quickly these days, and thanks to three times more pit capacity they rarely sell out of barbecue. Splurge on the beef rib at least once.
2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-8900
(214) 748-8900

Also featured in:

Ramen Hakata

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Lines have been out the door since Addison's first dedicated ramen restaurant opened at the end of July. Several different varieties of the hearty Japanese noodle soup include rich tonkotsu or spicy miso adorned with luscious pork chashu and soft-boiled eggs. Bonus: BYOB and free wi-fi, and a pay-at-the-register setup means you can get in and out relatively quickly.
3714 Belt Line Rd, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 247-2401
(972) 247-2401

Also featured in:

San Salvaje

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The newest (and gorgeously colorful) restaurant from superchef Stephan Pyles globe-trots all over Mexico and South America for modern takes on classic dishes, like huitlacoche empanadas, goat barbacoa tacos and an array of ultra-fresh ceviches.
2100 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

Scotch & Sausage

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Oak Lawn's new hot spot specializes in exactly what you'd expect -- two dozen varieties of tube meats (think bulgogi-marinated wild boar and turducken mole) and a huge selection of whiskey, plus excellent Belgian-style frites and deep-fried Scotch eggs. Plenty of options for vegetarians, too, plus late-night hours.
2808 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 802-6753
(469) 802-6753

Steel City Pops

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Drive down Lower Greenville on a weekend night and you'll undoubtedly see a large crowd of people crammed into this new frozen pop shop. People are going nuts for the housemade pops in all-natural fruity flavors like pineapple-jalapeno, hibiscus and strawberry-balsamic and creamy pops in varieties such as buttermilk, avocado and coffee.
2012 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Stock & Barrel

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Former Nosh chef Jon Stevens' first venture is shaking up the Bishop Arts District with a sleek industrial interior and a menu that manages to be simultaneously approachable and adventurous: Think braised pork cheeks with cheese grits, chickpea fries with harissa cream and grilled octopus with green grapes and Marcona almonds.
316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208

Victor Tangos

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Six-year-old Victor Tangos is hotter than ever, thanks to an ever-rotating menu of creative fare by chef Kirstyn Brewer and cocktails by Alex Fletcher. The whole roasted fish over zingy lemon potatoes makes for an impressive shared entree, and be sure to try the "Art of War" cocktail with gin, cucumber and miso.
3001 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 252-8595
(214) 252-8595

Also featured in:

Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern

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This New York-style offshoot couldn't be more different than Cane Rosso, but it might be just as good. Grab a slice of Grandma, Sicilian or classic New York-style pie, and don't forget to try the zucchini fries with housemade jalapeno ranch. Garlic knots are a must.
202 W Davis St, Dallas, TX
(214) 942-9654
(214) 942-9654

Also featured in:

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Blind Butcher

1919 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
Carnivores and vegetarians alike will find plenty to eat at this smash hit from Goodfriend owners Josh Yingling and Matt Tobin. Chef Oliver Sitrin is hitting it out of the park with meaty dishes like duck poutine with foie gras, housemade sausages and pastrami eggrolls, but there's also a vegan sausage, mushroom poutine and tasty salads.
1919 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 887-0000
(214) 887-0000

Crushcraft Thai Street Eats

2800 Routh St Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201
This colorful Quadrangle spot is putting a fast-casual spin on authentic Thai food by chef Paul Singhapong. Grab a table under the impressive skylight and chow down on Thai classics like pad thai, papaya salad or kra-pao (ground pork with rice and a runny-yolked egg). Best of all, it's open till 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and has plenty of booze options including sake and refreshing Asian beers.
2800 Routh St Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 471-4446
(469) 471-4446

Driftwood

642 W. Davis St., Dallas, TX 75028
Driftwood has new ownership, a new chef, and a newly revamped bar featuring the best absinthe selection around. Pony up to the bar for oysters and an absinthe cocktail masterminded by Michael Martensen, or grab a booth in the dining room for artfully plated dishes like truffled snow crab with caviar or a gorgeous beet salad with goat cheese croquettes.
642 W. Davis St., Dallas, TX 75028
(214) 942-2530
(214) 942-2530

Gemma

2323 North Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206
A little taste of Napa Valley hits Dallas via Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder's cozy, intimate Henderson Avenue restaurant decked out in classy Hamptons-style decor, with a heavy focus on what's local, seasonal and delicious -- think grass-fed beef tartare and ricotta cavatelli with wild boar ragu. Major bonus: Gemma is open till 1 a.m. for night owls.
2323 North Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 370-9426
(214) 370-9426

Knife

5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
Attention carnivores: John Tesar's modern take on the steakhouse at the Hotel Palomar is right where you want to be. Start off with a bacon tasting and ground-to-order steak tartare before moving on to a "new school" cut of prime Texas beef like the tri-tip, downright affordable at a mere $26 (or splurge on the 28-ounce Akaushi ribeye).
5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

Pecan Lodge

2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
The crowds are bigger than ever at Pecan Lodge's new Deep Ellum digs, but the line also moves pretty quickly these days, and thanks to three times more pit capacity they rarely sell out of barbecue. Splurge on the beef rib at least once.
2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-8900
(214) 748-8900

Ramen Hakata

3714 Belt Line Rd, Addison, TX 75001
Lines have been out the door since Addison's first dedicated ramen restaurant opened at the end of July. Several different varieties of the hearty Japanese noodle soup include rich tonkotsu or spicy miso adorned with luscious pork chashu and soft-boiled eggs. Bonus: BYOB and free wi-fi, and a pay-at-the-register setup means you can get in and out relatively quickly.
3714 Belt Line Rd, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 247-2401
(972) 247-2401

San Salvaje

2100 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
The newest (and gorgeously colorful) restaurant from superchef Stephan Pyles globe-trots all over Mexico and South America for modern takes on classic dishes, like huitlacoche empanadas, goat barbacoa tacos and an array of ultra-fresh ceviches.
2100 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

Scotch & Sausage

2808 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Oak Lawn's new hot spot specializes in exactly what you'd expect -- two dozen varieties of tube meats (think bulgogi-marinated wild boar and turducken mole) and a huge selection of whiskey, plus excellent Belgian-style frites and deep-fried Scotch eggs. Plenty of options for vegetarians, too, plus late-night hours.
2808 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 802-6753
(469) 802-6753

Steel City Pops

2012 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Drive down Lower Greenville on a weekend night and you'll undoubtedly see a large crowd of people crammed into this new frozen pop shop. People are going nuts for the housemade pops in all-natural fruity flavors like pineapple-jalapeno, hibiscus and strawberry-balsamic and creamy pops in varieties such as buttermilk, avocado and coffee.
2012 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Stock & Barrel

316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Former Nosh chef Jon Stevens' first venture is shaking up the Bishop Arts District with a sleek industrial interior and a menu that manages to be simultaneously approachable and adventurous: Think braised pork cheeks with cheese grits, chickpea fries with harissa cream and grilled octopus with green grapes and Marcona almonds.
316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208

Victor Tangos

3001 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Six-year-old Victor Tangos is hotter than ever, thanks to an ever-rotating menu of creative fare by chef Kirstyn Brewer and cocktails by Alex Fletcher. The whole roasted fish over zingy lemon potatoes makes for an impressive shared entree, and be sure to try the "Art of War" cocktail with gin, cucumber and miso.
3001 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 252-8595
(214) 252-8595

Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern

202 W Davis St, Dallas, TX
This New York-style offshoot couldn't be more different than Cane Rosso, but it might be just as good. Grab a slice of Grandma, Sicilian or classic New York-style pie, and don't forget to try the zucchini fries with housemade jalapeno ranch. Garlic knots are a must.
202 W Davis St, Dallas, TX
(214) 942-9654
(214) 942-9654

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