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The Eater Louisville 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? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, where to sip the it cocktail. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to highlight where the Louisville foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment. (The restaurants are listed not by rank, but in the order in which this editor got around to finishing their descriptions.)

Added: None.
Removed: None

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


Eater Louisville Heatmap history

·Dec 6, 2012: Initial Eater Louisville Heatmap
·Jan. 3, 2013: Added Feast BBQ, Guaca Mole and Relish
·Feb. 7, 2013: Added Mussel & Burger Bar
·March 7, 2013: Added MilkWood and Game, removed 610 Magnolia and Hammerheads
·April 4, 2013: Added The Exchange Pub + Kitchen
·May 2, 2013: No cha

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Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

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Ceviche is a dish best served cold. But chef Anthony Lamas's Nuevo Latino restaurant is still hot, even after seven years.
A San Francisco transplant, chef Annie Pettry's NuLu kitchen has quickly impressed in Louisville with its "commitment to locally farmed and small production ingredients." As the weather gets warmer, it's spacious patio makes it even more of a draw.

Rye On Market

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"We would love to establish ourselves based on our chef-driven menu and ingredient-focused philosophy," Rye's general manager wrote recently in an email. Based on the crowds at this NuLu new American restaurant, however, it's already done so.

The Silver Dollar

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This East End honky-tonk, "centered around Bakersfield Sound music and Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey," was just named one of the top 10 whiskey bars in America by GQ. It's also a hot spot for brunch.

Proof on Main

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Newish chef Levon Wallace continues to make his influence felt at this new American restaurant. And the reviews continue to say, better than ever.

St. Charles Exchange

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Fresh off cooking dinner at New York's James Beard House and getting national recognition for its craft cocktails, this new American restaurant just changed both its executive chef and cocktail menu. But its roster of talent and liquors must be deep as the praise continues.

Harvest

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Its dedication to local ingredients makes this new American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.

Holy Grale

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Sure this converted Unitarian Church is more bar than restaurant, but its elevated pub food (including one of the city's best burgers) attracts even teetotalers. Plus, it just opened for lunch on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays.
Former Jack Frye's owner Susan Seiller's ditches clubby for clean and simple (think pressed ropa vieja—Cuban-style brisket, manchego, Cuban roll) to rave reviews. It just added dinner service too.

Feast BBQ

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Dishes like its barbecued tofu provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course).

Guaca Mole

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Our experts called this Mexican restaurant, best known for its namesake dish, one of the city's top newcomers in 2012—and Urbanspoon proclaimed it among the best in the nation.

Mussel & Burger Bar

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The owners of Guaca Mole opened this American bistro to equally rave reviews (especially of its namesake dishes) in early February 2013, making it one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown.

MilkWood

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The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at 610 Magnolia's Edward Lee's new Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (make it the two days-cooked veal).
The Hammerheads' guys' February 2013 opening is just another burger joint off the highway. Except for the kangaroo meat. And the ostrich meat. And the wild boar meat. And the...

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

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Rave reviews in LEO Weekly and Louisville Courier-Journal help explain why this New Albany gastropub is drawing big crowds, even in the middle of the week.

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

Ceviche is a dish best served cold. But chef Anthony Lamas's Nuevo Latino restaurant is still hot, even after seven years.

Decca

A San Francisco transplant, chef Annie Pettry's NuLu kitchen has quickly impressed in Louisville with its "commitment to locally farmed and small production ingredients." As the weather gets warmer, it's spacious patio makes it even more of a draw.

Rye On Market

"We would love to establish ourselves based on our chef-driven menu and ingredient-focused philosophy," Rye's general manager wrote recently in an email. Based on the crowds at this NuLu new American restaurant, however, it's already done so.

The Silver Dollar

This East End honky-tonk, "centered around Bakersfield Sound music and Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey," was just named one of the top 10 whiskey bars in America by GQ. It's also a hot spot for brunch.

Proof on Main

Newish chef Levon Wallace continues to make his influence felt at this new American restaurant. And the reviews continue to say, better than ever.

St. Charles Exchange

Fresh off cooking dinner at New York's James Beard House and getting national recognition for its craft cocktails, this new American restaurant just changed both its executive chef and cocktail menu. But its roster of talent and liquors must be deep as the praise continues.

Harvest

Its dedication to local ingredients makes this new American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.

Holy Grale

Sure this converted Unitarian Church is more bar than restaurant, but its elevated pub food (including one of the city's best burgers) attracts even teetotalers. Plus, it just opened for lunch on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays.

Relish

Former Jack Frye's owner Susan Seiller's ditches clubby for clean and simple (think pressed ropa vieja—Cuban-style brisket, manchego, Cuban roll) to rave reviews. It just added dinner service too.

Feast BBQ

Dishes like its barbecued tofu provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course).

Guaca Mole

Our experts called this Mexican restaurant, best known for its namesake dish, one of the city's top newcomers in 2012—and Urbanspoon proclaimed it among the best in the nation.

Mussel & Burger Bar

The owners of Guaca Mole opened this American bistro to equally rave reviews (especially of its namesake dishes) in early February 2013, making it one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown.

MilkWood

The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at 610 Magnolia's Edward Lee's new Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (make it the two days-cooked veal).

Game

The Hammerheads' guys' February 2013 opening is just another burger joint off the highway. Except for the kangaroo meat. And the ostrich meat. And the wild boar meat. And the...

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

Rave reviews in LEO Weekly and Louisville Courier-Journal help explain why this New Albany gastropub is drawing big crowds, even in the middle of the week.