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Updating Eater San Diego's Heatmap, April '13

by Candice Woo
2 comments / new
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by Candice Woo
2 comments / new

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have just one question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot and what to try. And while the Eater 38 is a great resource that covers old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it's not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment.

Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to highlight the latest openings that are generating serious buzz. See who made the list in this month's Heatmap update.

Know of a new restaurant with a good amount of heat that should be added to the list? Send us a tip!


04/04/13: Added: The Haven Pizzeria, Amaya La Jolla.

03/07/13: Added: Soda & Swine, Great Maple, Heights Tavern, Project Pie

02/07/13: Added: Eclipse Chocolat, Buona Forchetta and Fathom Bistro.

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Monello

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From the owners of Bencotto; open for just a few weeks. Menu of Italian street food, pizza, pasta and meat. Free small bites w/a cocktail during aperitivo hours (4-7p.m.).

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 501-0030
(619) 501-0030

Sushi Tadokoro

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For fans of the documentary film Jiro Dreams of Sushi and traditional Edomae-style nigiri; some new world rolls but thankfully, not many.

2244 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 297-0298
(619) 297-0298

The Patio on Lamont Street

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Opened in late November, brought new life to the former Lamont Street Grill; small plates and craft cocktails to the casual Pacific Beach community.

4445 Lamont Street, San Diego, CA 92103
(858) 412-4648
(858) 412-4648

Gang Kitchen

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A lounge-like setting, an Asian fusion menu. No, it's not the 90's, but some of the dishes at Gang Kitchen are an homage to fusion cuisine classics reminiscent of Wolfgang Puck's era-defining Chinois.

345 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 550-1600
(619) 550-1600

The Blind Burro

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Over 100 tequilas, sangria on tap and a Baja-inspired menu. Their "amigo hour" (happy hour) food is more interesting than most: $5 fish collars and taquitos stuffed sweet potato-chorizo filling or smoked fish.

639 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 795-7880
(619) 795-7880

Also featured in:

Eclipse Chocolat Bar & Bistro

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Eclipse's new South Park digs offer a new beer & wine menu, snacks and dessert plus a weekend brunch service that's soon to be a daily occurrence.

2145 Fern Street, San Diego, Ca 92104

Buona Forchetta

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This corner joint boasts a real deal Neapolitan pizza oven. The small size of the restaurant combined with lots of initial buzz makes for frequent long waits for a table.

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844

Also featured in:

Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle

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A craft beer vet transforms a Shelter Island bait and tackle store into a beer bar and eatery with a great tap list, kimchi-topped hot dogs and burgers, and a killer bay view.

1776 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

Also featured in:

Soda & Swine

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A choose your own adventure meal, starring meatballs. The sides shine, including crispy polenta with burrata. Hop next door for a cocktail at Polite Provisions (bring your food or have it delivered).

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 269-7632
(619) 269-7632

Also featured in:

Great Maple

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A longstanding diner gets a swanky mid-century modern makeover from Johnny Rivera (Hash House, The Tractor Room). The desserts and homemade pies are standouts.

1451 Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 255-2282
(619) 255-2282

Also featured in:

Heights Tavern

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Normal Heights gets a spike in patio seating thanks to this better version of a sports bar which serves chef-y pub grub (burgers, chili and fries), plus craft cocktails and beer.

3377 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 501-3455
(619) 501-3455

Project Pie

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This locally-owned chain is on the verge of global expansion. Project Pie specializes in speedy food made fresh, your way; their customizable flatbread pizzas cook up in a matter of minutes.

3888 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 241-2881
(619) 241-2881

The Haven Pizzeria

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A friendly new pizzeria for the Kensington neighborhood - the owner also runs a nearby cafe. Besides pizza, people are flocking for the starters, salads and selection of craft beer.

4051 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116

Amaya La Jolla

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Amaya has a relation in North County's Grand Del Mar, but this new La Jolla outpost differentiates itself by giving their upscale American menu a bit of Southern flair.

1205 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 750-3695
(858) 750-3695

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Monello

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101

From the owners of Bencotto; open for just a few weeks. Menu of Italian street food, pizza, pasta and meat. Free small bites w/a cocktail during aperitivo hours (4-7p.m.).

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 501-0030
(619) 501-0030

Sushi Tadokoro

2244 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110

For fans of the documentary film Jiro Dreams of Sushi and traditional Edomae-style nigiri; some new world rolls but thankfully, not many.

2244 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 297-0298
(619) 297-0298

The Patio on Lamont Street

4445 Lamont Street, San Diego, CA 92103

Opened in late November, brought new life to the former Lamont Street Grill; small plates and craft cocktails to the casual Pacific Beach community.

4445 Lamont Street, San Diego, CA 92103
(858) 412-4648
(858) 412-4648

Gang Kitchen

345 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

A lounge-like setting, an Asian fusion menu. No, it's not the 90's, but some of the dishes at Gang Kitchen are an homage to fusion cuisine classics reminiscent of Wolfgang Puck's era-defining Chinois.

345 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 550-1600
(619) 550-1600

The Blind Burro

639 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Over 100 tequilas, sangria on tap and a Baja-inspired menu. Their "amigo hour" (happy hour) food is more interesting than most: $5 fish collars and taquitos stuffed sweet potato-chorizo filling or smoked fish.

639 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 795-7880
(619) 795-7880

Eclipse Chocolat Bar & Bistro

2145 Fern Street, San Diego, Ca 92104

Eclipse's new South Park digs offer a new beer & wine menu, snacks and dessert plus a weekend brunch service that's soon to be a daily occurrence.

2145 Fern Street, San Diego, Ca 92104

Buona Forchetta

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102

This corner joint boasts a real deal Neapolitan pizza oven. The small size of the restaurant combined with lots of initial buzz makes for frequent long waits for a table.

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844

Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle

1776 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

A craft beer vet transforms a Shelter Island bait and tackle store into a beer bar and eatery with a great tap list, kimchi-topped hot dogs and burgers, and a killer bay view.

1776 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

Soda & Swine

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

A choose your own adventure meal, starring meatballs. The sides shine, including crispy polenta with burrata. Hop next door for a cocktail at Polite Provisions (bring your food or have it delivered).

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 269-7632
(619) 269-7632

Great Maple

1451 Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103

A longstanding diner gets a swanky mid-century modern makeover from Johnny Rivera (Hash House, The Tractor Room). The desserts and homemade pies are standouts.

1451 Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 255-2282
(619) 255-2282

Heights Tavern

3377 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

Normal Heights gets a spike in patio seating thanks to this better version of a sports bar which serves chef-y pub grub (burgers, chili and fries), plus craft cocktails and beer.

3377 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 501-3455
(619) 501-3455

Project Pie

3888 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103

This locally-owned chain is on the verge of global expansion. Project Pie specializes in speedy food made fresh, your way; their customizable flatbread pizzas cook up in a matter of minutes.

3888 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 241-2881
(619) 241-2881

The Haven Pizzeria

4051 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116

A friendly new pizzeria for the Kensington neighborhood - the owner also runs a nearby cafe. Besides pizza, people are flocking for the starters, salads and selection of craft beer.

4051 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116

Amaya La Jolla

1205 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

Amaya has a relation in North County's Grand Del Mar, but this new La Jolla outpost differentiates itself by giving their upscale American menu a bit of Southern flair.

1205 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 750-3695
(858) 750-3695

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