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Updating the Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about? 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 periodically to highlight where the food-crazed crowds are flocking. Since this is a spotlight on what's happening right now, we must bid adieu to places that have been around for too long. Therefore, in this edition, we remove Chai Pani, now a Decatur favorite and the city's staple for street food-style Indian, and welcome Umi Sushi, Saltyard, Yum Bunz, and Chick-a-Biddy.

Suggestions? Vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments or email the tipline.


01/03/13: Added: Seven Lamps, Gio's Chicken Amalfitana
02/07/13: Added: General Muir, Monday Night Brewing, La Tagliatella, Woodfire Grill
03/07/13: Added: Chai Pani, KR SteakBar, the Argosy
04/03/13: Added: Paper Plane
05/02/13: Added: BoccaLupo, Villains
06/06/13: Added: Gunshow, King + Duke
07/11/13: Added: Chick-a-Biddy, Saltyard, Umi Sushi, Yum Bunz
· All Eater Atlanta Heatmap Coverage [-EATL-]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Yum Bunz

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Doors have been set to open "soon" since October, and now Yum Bunz really has started serving fast-casual dim sum. Lines on the first day were long, and early reviews of the steamed buns, wraps, and other menu items have been stellar.

Umi Sushi

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MF Sushi's Fuyuhiko Ito and his wife and pastry chef, Lisa, are back with Umi Try the black miso cod, agedashi tofu, or Ito's signature dish, the off-the-menu Japanese snapper. There's also foie gras sashimi and, for dessert, green tea souffle. [Photo]

Chick-a-Biddy

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Chick-a-Biddy opened today— Thursday, July 11— in Atlantic Station. It's the sister restaurant to Bantam + Biddy, and with Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere serving up "farm fresh" chicken and sides, plus cocktails, weekend brunch, and housemade smoothies and juices, there's something on the menu for everybody.

Saltyard

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Saltyard, located in the Brookwood building in South Buckhead, offers up a small plates-style menu of everything from local pork cracklin's and flourless chocolate cake to ricotta gnocchi, oysters (with Sriracha), and grilled octopus with crispy potatoes. Also: wine and one of the prettiest spaces in town.

Gunshow

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Kevin Gillespie's Gunshow opened in May in Glenwood Park. The format is the first of its kind in Atlanta: You don't order from the menu, you order by taking dishes off of a tray or cart that's passed around (usually) by the chef who cooked the food. The menu changes often and has had everything from pork skin risotto to an In-N-Out-inspired "West Coast" burger so far. Pro tip: The bill adds up quickly, so go with a group.

BoccaLupo

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BoccaLupo opened quietly in Inman Park in April, and reviews since then have been nothing but positive. Go for the pasta (the black spaghetti made with squid ink is a popular choice), stay for the patio. They're also doing a $40 pasta tasting if you can't decide what to order.

Paper Plane

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Following the closure of the Inman Park Victory Sandwich Bar, the Decatur outpost is the city's only stop for Jack and Coke slushies and $4 sandwiches. Bonus: Paper Plane, the bar in the same space that's open to "members and non-members only." You can't go wrong with any of the cocktails, created by the talented Paul Calvert, and try a plate or two off of the dinner menu as well. Look for the main entrance in the alley to the right of Victory.

King + Duke

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The latest from Ford Fry, King + Duke replaced Nava in Buckhead in May. Early reviews have been a little inconsistent, but the two-level space has a separate outdoor bar on its patio, a 24-foot open hearth where much of the cooking is done, and hot chef Joe Schafer in charge of it all, so it's worth checking out for yourself.

Villains Wicked Heroes

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Wicked hero sandwiches have infiltrated the corner of Peachtree and 8th streets in the form of Villains. Yeah, they've got sandwiches, but they've also got a strong selection of "evil potion" cocktails, ramen popcorn, and a pretty great outdoor bar. Make it your Midtown happy hour spot.

The General Muir

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The latest from the West Egg team and chef Todd Ginsberg is full-service Jewish deli concept the General Muir. Located in Emory Point, the restaurant is pleasing patrons with everything from the poutine and the pastrami sandwich to the burger (on its way to the best one in town) and the ice cream sandwiches. Do they also have the best bagel in town? You decide.

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Yum Bunz

Doors have been set to open "soon" since October, and now Yum Bunz really has started serving fast-casual dim sum. Lines on the first day were long, and early reviews of the steamed buns, wraps, and other menu items have been stellar.

Umi Sushi

MF Sushi's Fuyuhiko Ito and his wife and pastry chef, Lisa, are back with Umi Try the black miso cod, agedashi tofu, or Ito's signature dish, the off-the-menu Japanese snapper. There's also foie gras sashimi and, for dessert, green tea souffle. [Photo]

Chick-a-Biddy

Chick-a-Biddy opened today— Thursday, July 11— in Atlantic Station. It's the sister restaurant to Bantam + Biddy, and with Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere serving up "farm fresh" chicken and sides, plus cocktails, weekend brunch, and housemade smoothies and juices, there's something on the menu for everybody.

Saltyard

Saltyard, located in the Brookwood building in South Buckhead, offers up a small plates-style menu of everything from local pork cracklin's and flourless chocolate cake to ricotta gnocchi, oysters (with Sriracha), and grilled octopus with crispy potatoes. Also: wine and one of the prettiest spaces in town.

Gunshow

Kevin Gillespie's Gunshow opened in May in Glenwood Park. The format is the first of its kind in Atlanta: You don't order from the menu, you order by taking dishes off of a tray or cart that's passed around (usually) by the chef who cooked the food. The menu changes often and has had everything from pork skin risotto to an In-N-Out-inspired "West Coast" burger so far. Pro tip: The bill adds up quickly, so go with a group.

BoccaLupo

BoccaLupo opened quietly in Inman Park in April, and reviews since then have been nothing but positive. Go for the pasta (the black spaghetti made with squid ink is a popular choice), stay for the patio. They're also doing a $40 pasta tasting if you can't decide what to order.

Paper Plane

Following the closure of the Inman Park Victory Sandwich Bar, the Decatur outpost is the city's only stop for Jack and Coke slushies and $4 sandwiches. Bonus: Paper Plane, the bar in the same space that's open to "members and non-members only." You can't go wrong with any of the cocktails, created by the talented Paul Calvert, and try a plate or two off of the dinner menu as well. Look for the main entrance in the alley to the right of Victory.

King + Duke

The latest from Ford Fry, King + Duke replaced Nava in Buckhead in May. Early reviews have been a little inconsistent, but the two-level space has a separate outdoor bar on its patio, a 24-foot open hearth where much of the cooking is done, and hot chef Joe Schafer in charge of it all, so it's worth checking out for yourself.

Villains Wicked Heroes

Wicked hero sandwiches have infiltrated the corner of Peachtree and 8th streets in the form of Villains. Yeah, they've got sandwiches, but they've also got a strong selection of "evil potion" cocktails, ramen popcorn, and a pretty great outdoor bar. Make it your Midtown happy hour spot.

The General Muir

The latest from the West Egg team and chef Todd Ginsberg is full-service Jewish deli concept the General Muir. Located in Emory Point, the restaurant is pleasing patrons with everything from the poutine and the pastrami sandwich to the burger (on its way to the best one in town) and the ice cream sandwiches. Do they also have the best bagel in town? You decide.

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