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The Hottest Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now, December 2014

Where to eat in New Orleans right now.

by Gwendolyn Knapp
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by Gwendolyn Knapp

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater ask us: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about? 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 continuously to always highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

Big shake up on the map this month. Gastrolounges and cocktail heatmap faves Treo and Cellardoor make way for Latitude 29, the tiki mecca with divine PolynAsian cuisine from Chris Shortall. North Shore beauty Ox Lot 9 bows out to Brennan's, which resurrects fine dining but updates Creole creole with Slade Rushing in the kitchen, and new affordable falafel hub 1,000 Figs nabs a spot at the expense of affordable Arabella Casa Di Pasta. Also, Red's Chinese nabs a spot from one of the heatmap's three taquerias, Arana.

Been to any of these restaurants and had a great or a terrible experience? Let us know in the comments or by email.

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Milkfish

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Cristina Quackenbush brings Filipino cuisine and exotic cocktails to New Orleans with this Mid City gem, which also hosts pop up nights with up and coming talent.
125 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA

Square Root

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Chef Phillip Lopez and Max Ortiz' long awaited and highly conceptual tasting menu restaurant in the LGD also features a killer cocktail and beer program, and hang-worthy upstairs lounge Root Squared (with balcony seating).
1800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

PIZZA Domenica

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John Besh and Alon Shaya's Domenica expansion offers more varieties of pizza, an impeccable beer selection, and take out service seven days a week, Uptown.
4933 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 301-4978
(504) 301-4978

Meauxbar

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Chef Kristen Essig and the Ste. Marie team's revamp of Meauxbar brings bistro favorites to the edge of the French Quarter. Lots of charm, great service, and locally-sourced dishes from steak tartare to crudite.
942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 569-9979
(504) 569-9979

Also featured in:

The Franklin

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This Marigny haunt has a gastropub vibe, with craft cocktails, intriguing wines, and food from chef Jim Bremer who specializes in locally sourced, rather eclectic French/Southern comfort dishes, plus crudo and oysters.
2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Del Fuego Taqueria

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Chef Dave Wright turns to his Cali upbringing to with this Uptown taqueria featuring housemade tortillas, authentic salsas, 100+ tequilas and mezcals, exceptional beef tongue and goat and more. Specialty entrees and lethal margs round out the experience. Front porch and back patio dining are a must.
4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 309-5797
(504) 309-5797

Also featured in:

Kebab

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The masterminds behind Pete's Pizza Speakeasy bring the best of European drunk food to St. Claude, with doner (spit roasted lamb/chicken/more) on fresh baked Turkish bread, falafel, some of the best fries in New Orleans, housemade sodas and young coconuts. Now open for lunch/dinner, Friday-Monday 11 a.m. to midnight.
2315 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Also featured in:

Johnny Sánchez

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John Besh and Aarón Sánchez's new modern taqueria is open in the CBD, featuring tacos and tequila galore, but don't overlook the entrees--ranging from whole fish to lamb enchiladas--as well as specialty cocktails.
930 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

Also featured in:

1000 Figs

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The Fat Falafel teams brings their killer fries, falafel, and more to this new brick and mortar on Ponce De Leon Street (next door to Swirl) in Faubourg St. John.
Ponce De Leon St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Also featured in:

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29

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An abundance of Beachbum Berry's tiki drinks pair nicely with Chris Shortall's 'PolynAsian' menu featuring everything from dim sum to banh mi, especially fun: the selection of daily dumplings, and the ever T-Fitzian squid caesar.
321 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 609-3811
(504) 609-3811

Also featured in:

Brennan's

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The Big Pink is now open after a $20 million dollar renovation from new owners Ralph Brennan and Terry White. Chef Slade Rushing has breathed new life into the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, updating and upgrading Creole classics. Of course breakfast at Brennan's is famous, but in the afternoon the bar alone is reason to visit with a champagne happy hour on the way, an extensive wine list and great drinks. Dinner launches tomorrow night.
417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Red's Chinese

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This brand new Bywater restaurant from Mission Chinese alum/chef Tobias Womack aims to fill New Orleans' Chinese food void with a menu that also pulls influence from the Times-Picayune Cookbook and more Southern influences. BYOB, but booze and delivery coming soon.
3048 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 304-6031
(504) 304-6031

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Milkfish

125 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA
Cristina Quackenbush brings Filipino cuisine and exotic cocktails to New Orleans with this Mid City gem, which also hosts pop up nights with up and coming talent.
125 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA

Square Root

1800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA
Chef Phillip Lopez and Max Ortiz' long awaited and highly conceptual tasting menu restaurant in the LGD also features a killer cocktail and beer program, and hang-worthy upstairs lounge Root Squared (with balcony seating).
1800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

PIZZA Domenica

4933 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118
John Besh and Alon Shaya's Domenica expansion offers more varieties of pizza, an impeccable beer selection, and take out service seven days a week, Uptown.
4933 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 301-4978
(504) 301-4978

Meauxbar

942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Chef Kristen Essig and the Ste. Marie team's revamp of Meauxbar brings bistro favorites to the edge of the French Quarter. Lots of charm, great service, and locally-sourced dishes from steak tartare to crudite.
942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 569-9979
(504) 569-9979

The Franklin

2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
This Marigny haunt has a gastropub vibe, with craft cocktails, intriguing wines, and food from chef Jim Bremer who specializes in locally sourced, rather eclectic French/Southern comfort dishes, plus crudo and oysters.
2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Del Fuego Taqueria

4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Chef Dave Wright turns to his Cali upbringing to with this Uptown taqueria featuring housemade tortillas, authentic salsas, 100+ tequilas and mezcals, exceptional beef tongue and goat and more. Specialty entrees and lethal margs round out the experience. Front porch and back patio dining are a must.
4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 309-5797
(504) 309-5797

Kebab

2315 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
The masterminds behind Pete's Pizza Speakeasy bring the best of European drunk food to St. Claude, with doner (spit roasted lamb/chicken/more) on fresh baked Turkish bread, falafel, some of the best fries in New Orleans, housemade sodas and young coconuts. Now open for lunch/dinner, Friday-Monday 11 a.m. to midnight.
2315 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Johnny Sánchez

930 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70113
John Besh and Aarón Sánchez's new modern taqueria is open in the CBD, featuring tacos and tequila galore, but don't overlook the entrees--ranging from whole fish to lamb enchiladas--as well as specialty cocktails.
930 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

1000 Figs

Ponce De Leon St, New Orleans, LA 70119
The Fat Falafel teams brings their killer fries, falafel, and more to this new brick and mortar on Ponce De Leon Street (next door to Swirl) in Faubourg St. John.
Ponce De Leon St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29

321 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
An abundance of Beachbum Berry's tiki drinks pair nicely with Chris Shortall's 'PolynAsian' menu featuring everything from dim sum to banh mi, especially fun: the selection of daily dumplings, and the ever T-Fitzian squid caesar.
321 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 609-3811
(504) 609-3811

Brennan's

417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Big Pink is now open after a $20 million dollar renovation from new owners Ralph Brennan and Terry White. Chef Slade Rushing has breathed new life into the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, updating and upgrading Creole classics. Of course breakfast at Brennan's is famous, but in the afternoon the bar alone is reason to visit with a champagne happy hour on the way, an extensive wine list and great drinks. Dinner launches tomorrow night.
417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Red's Chinese

3048 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
This brand new Bywater restaurant from Mission Chinese alum/chef Tobias Womack aims to fill New Orleans' Chinese food void with a menu that also pulls influence from the Times-Picayune Cookbook and more Southern influences. BYOB, but booze and delivery coming soon.
3048 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 304-6031
(504) 304-6031

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