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The Eater Mpls Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford

Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, etc., and more often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What is the "it" (ie, newest) place of the moment?

Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to continually highlight where the food-focused crowds are flocking to at this very second. This time around, please welcome four new spots to the map: Rincón 38, Smack Shack, Burch Steak & Pizza Bar, and One Two Three Sushi. The Heatmap has now fully turned over since it debuted in November.

Did we miss your personal favorite hot, new restaurant? By all means, let us know in the comments or email the tipline.


2/7/13: Added: Parka, Blue Door Longfellow

1/3/13: Added: Borough, Parlour

12/6/12: Added: World Street Kitchen, Union

11/15/12: Debuted: The Lynn on Bryant, The Left Handed Cook, Fika, Icehouse, The Gray House, Nightingale, The Kenwood, Café Maude at Loring, New Bohemia

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Rincon 38

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The latest offering from Hector Ruiz - of Café Ena and the now-shuttered El Mesón - brings late-night tapas and small-plates to Kingfield. Even though they're small plates, they're often big enough to share at least a few bites, so order a bunch of dishes for the table and try everything. Standouts include the saffron-poached cauliflower and the cardamom-crusted scallops.
3801 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 824-4052
(612) 824-4052

World Street Kitchen

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World Street Kitchen has been open in Uptown for a little less than two weeks, and it's already stacked up rave reviews. Fans of the eponymous food truck will find their old favorites - like the Bangkok Burrito and the Yum Yum Bowl - as well as new dishes on Sameh Wadi's menu. Don't miss the MFC (Moroccan Fried Chicken sandwich) and the salted caramel soft-serve.
2743 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 424-8855
(612) 424-8855

Burch Steak & Pizza Bar

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This multi-level spot from James Beard Award-winning Isaac Becker (of 112 Eatery and Bar la Grassa) offers a modern steakhouse on the ground floor and a pizzeria in the basement. Sounds simple, but everything has the Becker touch. Upstairs, you'll find three different grades of meat on the menu, plus way more than steak (pro tip: head for the dumpling section); downstairs, pizzas come with lobster, burrata, smoked pork shoulder, octopus, and a host of other unusual toppings.
1942 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 843-1515
(612) 843-1515

One Two Three Sushi

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One Two Three Sushi - from the same folks in charge of critically-acclaimed Masu Sushi & Robata - brings freshmade rolls to the downtown skyway. But don't stop at the rolls; there's also three kinds of ramen and four kinds of steamed buns on the menu.
80 South Eighth Street #228, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 354-3040
(612) 354-3040

Union Restaurant & Rooftop

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With its mid-November opening, downtown restaurant Union brings rooftop dining to Minneapolis year-round. But the retractable glass roof isn't the only draw at Union. Jim Christiansen's menu holds its own, with must-have menu items like the already famed shallot-bacon donut holes. Wash them down with one of Minneapolis master bartender Johnny Michael's cocktails, also available at the building's basement-level nightspot, Marquee.
731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 455-6690
(612) 455-6690

Smack Shack

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The beloved truck has gone brick n' mortar, and the restaurant is a real beauty. Find all your Smack Shack favorites (lobster roll, lobster mac, lobster corn dog), plus a selection of po' boys, raw bar, and full-on lobster boil. Bonus: the restaurants is ideally situated for a pre- or post-game meal once baseball season gets underway.
N. Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 259-7288
(612) 259-7288

Borough

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This much-anticipated restaurant from two former Travail chefs just opened on Wednesday the 2nd. The menu is divided into small, medium, and large plates, and includes dishes like potato soup with champagne and black truffles and oxtail ravioli. Make a night of it and head to Parlour - the just-opened cocktail bar in the basement of Borough - for a digestif after dinner.
730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-3135
(612) 354-3135

Parlour

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Located in the basement of the same building as just-opened Borough, Parlour is the latest entry into the Minneapolis cocktail scene. The bar brings the mixologist experience to your table, with bartenders making cocktails table-side, served from a bar cart. The drink menu - designed by Jesse Held, formerly of Eat Street Social - may soon include options for cocktail flights. A menu of small plates is also available.
730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-3135
(612) 354-3135

Parka

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This new Longfellow spot, which shares space with Forage Modern Workshop, has got you covered for all three meals of the day. Come for Rustica pastries and Dogwood coffee at breakfast (and for that afternoon pick-me-up); for lunch and dinner, Erick Harcey's menu serves up inventive takes on meatloaf, pork chops, green bean casserole, and other classics. Plus: duck fat fries.
4023 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Blue Door Longfellow

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Blucys have finally made it across the river to Minneapolis. The second location of St. Paul's beloved Blue Door Pub has some new takes on the juicy lucy on offer, plus 16 beers on tap (14 of which are local brews).
3448 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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Rincon 38

3801 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The latest offering from Hector Ruiz - of Café Ena and the now-shuttered El Mesón - brings late-night tapas and small-plates to Kingfield. Even though they're small plates, they're often big enough to share at least a few bites, so order a bunch of dishes for the table and try everything. Standouts include the saffron-poached cauliflower and the cardamom-crusted scallops.
3801 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 824-4052
(612) 824-4052

World Street Kitchen

2743 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
World Street Kitchen has been open in Uptown for a little less than two weeks, and it's already stacked up rave reviews. Fans of the eponymous food truck will find their old favorites - like the Bangkok Burrito and the Yum Yum Bowl - as well as new dishes on Sameh Wadi's menu. Don't miss the MFC (Moroccan Fried Chicken sandwich) and the salted caramel soft-serve.
2743 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 424-8855
(612) 424-8855

Burch Steak & Pizza Bar

1942 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This multi-level spot from James Beard Award-winning Isaac Becker (of 112 Eatery and Bar la Grassa) offers a modern steakhouse on the ground floor and a pizzeria in the basement. Sounds simple, but everything has the Becker touch. Upstairs, you'll find three different grades of meat on the menu, plus way more than steak (pro tip: head for the dumpling section); downstairs, pizzas come with lobster, burrata, smoked pork shoulder, octopus, and a host of other unusual toppings.
1942 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 843-1515
(612) 843-1515

One Two Three Sushi

80 South Eighth Street #228, Minneapolis, MN 55402
One Two Three Sushi - from the same folks in charge of critically-acclaimed Masu Sushi & Robata - brings freshmade rolls to the downtown skyway. But don't stop at the rolls; there's also three kinds of ramen and four kinds of steamed buns on the menu.
80 South Eighth Street #228, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 354-3040
(612) 354-3040

Union Restaurant & Rooftop

731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
With its mid-November opening, downtown restaurant Union brings rooftop dining to Minneapolis year-round. But the retractable glass roof isn't the only draw at Union. Jim Christiansen's menu holds its own, with must-have menu items like the already famed shallot-bacon donut holes. Wash them down with one of Minneapolis master bartender Johnny Michael's cocktails, also available at the building's basement-level nightspot, Marquee.
731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 455-6690
(612) 455-6690

Smack Shack

N. Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
The beloved truck has gone brick n' mortar, and the restaurant is a real beauty. Find all your Smack Shack favorites (lobster roll, lobster mac, lobster corn dog), plus a selection of po' boys, raw bar, and full-on lobster boil. Bonus: the restaurants is ideally situated for a pre- or post-game meal once baseball season gets underway.
N. Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 259-7288
(612) 259-7288

Borough

730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
This much-anticipated restaurant from two former Travail chefs just opened on Wednesday the 2nd. The menu is divided into small, medium, and large plates, and includes dishes like potato soup with champagne and black truffles and oxtail ravioli. Make a night of it and head to Parlour - the just-opened cocktail bar in the basement of Borough - for a digestif after dinner.
730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-3135
(612) 354-3135

Parlour

730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Located in the basement of the same building as just-opened Borough, Parlour is the latest entry into the Minneapolis cocktail scene. The bar brings the mixologist experience to your table, with bartenders making cocktails table-side, served from a bar cart. The drink menu - designed by Jesse Held, formerly of Eat Street Social - may soon include options for cocktail flights. A menu of small plates is also available.
730 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-3135
(612) 354-3135

Parka

4023 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
This new Longfellow spot, which shares space with Forage Modern Workshop, has got you covered for all three meals of the day. Come for Rustica pastries and Dogwood coffee at breakfast (and for that afternoon pick-me-up); for lunch and dinner, Erick Harcey's menu serves up inventive takes on meatloaf, pork chops, green bean casserole, and other classics. Plus: duck fat fries.
4023 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Blue Door Longfellow

3448 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Blucys have finally made it across the river to Minneapolis. The second location of St. Paul's beloved Blue Door Pub has some new takes on the juicy lucy on offer, plus 16 beers on tap (14 of which are local brews).
3448 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406

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