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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 latest, greatest cocktail creation. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to highlight where the Louisville crowds are flocking to at the moment. (The restaurants are listed by geographic location, not by merit.)

This month's Heatmap has two changes:
Added: Loop 22, Taco Luchador
Removed: Game, Guaca-Mole

Suggestions for next month's Heatmap will be welcomed 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 changes
· June 6, 2013 Removed: St. Charles Exchange.
· July 11, 2013 Added: La Coop: Bistro à Vins.
· Aug. 1, 2013 Added: Garage Bar.
· Sept. 5, 2013 No changes.
· Oct. 3, 2013 Added: Havana Rumba Express & Tapas Bar. Removed: Garage Bar, Harvest, Holy Grale, Proof on Main, Seviche: A Latin Restaurant.
· November 8, 2013 Added: Atlantic No. 5, El Camino. Removed: Relish, Havana Rumba Express.
· December 10, 2013 No changes.
· January 2, 2014 Added: The Monkey Wrench. Removed: La Coop: Bistro a Vins.

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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.

Feast BBQ

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Dishes like its barbecued tofu and brisket provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course). Tater tots, vinegar slaw and collard greens sides pair well with everything.

Atlantic No. 5

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Chef Tyler Morris has moved from Rye on Market to this lunchbox-decorated Main Street café, and now presents "an Innovative take on lunchtime classics and a full selection of coffees by local roasters." The bacon & egg sandwich is excellent for either breakfast or lunch, as is the coffee.

MilkWood

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The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at Edward Lee's Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (the scallop and pork belly entree).
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."

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.

Monkey Wrench

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Executive Chef Dustin Staggers has added an upgraded menu to Dennie Humphrey's newly renovated establishment, serving skillet-fried chicken, burgoo, burgers and more.

El Taco Luchador

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It seems Fernando Martinez can't stop opening restaurants. The man behind Guaca-Mole and Mussel & Burger bar now has a tiny, tasty taqueria offering tortas, tacos and more.

The Silver Dollar

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

El Camino

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A mashup of Mexican street food stall, surf punk shack and tiki bar landed on Bardstown Road in late 2012. Brian Enyart, former Chef de Cuisine of both Topolombampo and Frontera Grill, is now Executive Chef.

Loop 22

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Adam Burress and Chase Mucerino, the guys behind Hammerheads & Game, have joined new partner Eric Morris for another meat-centric restaurant, this time mainly focused on rotisserie duck and chicken.

Mussel & Burger Bar

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This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.

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.

Feast BBQ

Dishes like its barbecued tofu and brisket provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course). Tater tots, vinegar slaw and collard greens sides pair well with everything.

Atlantic No. 5

Chef Tyler Morris has moved from Rye on Market to this lunchbox-decorated Main Street café, and now presents "an Innovative take on lunchtime classics and a full selection of coffees by local roasters." The bacon & egg sandwich is excellent for either breakfast or lunch, as is the coffee.

MilkWood

The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at Edward Lee's Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (the scallop and pork belly entree).

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."

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.

Monkey Wrench

Executive Chef Dustin Staggers has added an upgraded menu to Dennie Humphrey's newly renovated establishment, serving skillet-fried chicken, burgoo, burgers and more.

El Taco Luchador

It seems Fernando Martinez can't stop opening restaurants. The man behind Guaca-Mole and Mussel & Burger bar now has a tiny, tasty taqueria offering tortas, tacos and more.

The Silver Dollar

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

El Camino

A mashup of Mexican street food stall, surf punk shack and tiki bar landed on Bardstown Road in late 2012. Brian Enyart, former Chef de Cuisine of both Topolombampo and Frontera Grill, is now Executive Chef.

Loop 22

Adam Burress and Chase Mucerino, the guys behind Hammerheads & Game, have joined new partner Eric Morris for another meat-centric restaurant, this time mainly focused on rotisserie duck and chicken.

Mussel & Burger Bar

This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.