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Updating the Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Carly Szkaradnik
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by Carly Szkaradnik

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'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 Heat Map, which will change continually to highlight where the crowds are flocking to, rightthisverymoment. While openings trickled in over the winter, with spring has come a huge burst of new energy and exciting new places to check out, so this update is major. Welcome to the Heatmap newcomers Society Hill Society, Volver, and the Treemont — and also take note of a couple of familiar names that now demand a second look due to major changes: Lolita and a.kitchen.

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments or send 'em down the tipline.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Petruce et al

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1121 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 225-8232
(267) 225-8232
Visit Website
Brothers Jonathan and Justin Petruce (whose collective experience includes Mémé and Little Fish) built the kitchen for this new New American around a wood-fired oven and an Argentinean-style grill, so expect a little char. (And keep your eyes peeled for pizza, which isn't on the menu but has made a couple of special appearances.) Partner/GM/wine guru Tim Kweeder and beverage director George Costa focus on smart pairings that are always in service of the food.

2. Lolita

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106 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-7100
(215) 546-7100
Visit Website
How does a ten-year-old restaurant land a spot on the Heatmap? By reimagining itself as a totally new restaurant, with a street food focus and a brand new liquor license. Make no mistake: the carne asada and the charm may have survived, but Lolita is brand new again.

3. Volver

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300 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 670-2303
(215) 670-2303
Visit Website
Few restaurants have gotten Philadelphians talking — really talking, and debating, and placing wagers — quite like Jose Garces' new showpiece that pulls out all the stops at the Kimmel Center. If you're not prepared to splash out on the full tasting menu experience, you can always duck into Bar Volver for cocktails and small plates to get a look at what everyone's been buzzing about.

4. The Treemont

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231 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Visit Website
Chip Roman's finally got a Center City restaurant to his name, and the menu and revamped interior are both getting high marks from diners so far. And it works as well for a full-on date night as it does an after-work drink, with a menu ranging from bar snacks through high-end entrees, cozy reserved seating in the loft, and ample room for walk-ins by the lower-level bar.

5. Le Chéri

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251 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-7700
(215) 546-7700
Visit Website
When the owners of Bibou open a swank new restaurant in the Art Alliance building, it's a pretty easy sell. The cuisine is as classic French as it gets, offering selections like pate en croute, lamb pot au feu, and cassoulet.

6. a.kitchen

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135 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030
Visit Website
a.kitchen may be a familiar name, but for a while there, it was crying out for someone to breathe new life into it. And that's exactly what it got when operator David Fields partnered with Ellen Yin and Eli Kulp (who's installed High Street alum Jon Nodler as chef de cuisine) — the new menu is every bit as intriguing and satisfying as you'd expect from the team behind Fork and High Street on Market.

7. Tria Taproom

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2005 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Visit Website
The draft system is pretty attention-grabbing, with 40 taps carrying beer, wine, cider, and sodas, plus the ability to go online and look up exactly how much is left of that rare brew you're stalking. But this is also the only Tria with a full kitchen, serving flatbreads and elevated pub grub in addition to the cheeses you'd expect from any place carrying the Tria name.

8. The Fat Ham

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3131 Walnut Street, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 735-1913
(215) 735-1913
Visit Website
Kevin Sbraga's second restaurant is a tiny U City spot serving Southern food to early raves. The menu nails respectful renditions of comfort classics with just enough cheffy twists and surprises to keep things fresh. In addition to the hot chicken and oyster po'boys, look for a very strong bar program, with barrel-aged bourbon cocktails and draft options that include beer, wine, and sweet tea.

9. Laurel

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1617 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-8299
(215) 271-8299
Visit Website
Nicholas Elmi is a favorite to win the current season of Top Chef, but the cooking he's doing at his new E. Passyunk BYOB overshadows even Bravo-reality-show-level hype. The room is as tiny as it is lovely, so plan ahead.

10. The Good King Tavern

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614 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700
Visit Website
GKT opened in the same month as Le Cheri, meaning things are suddenly looking way up for Philly francophiles. The Good King is decidedly less white-tablecloth, with a lively bar and a classic brasserie menu with some inventive touches from chef Paul Lyons, who worked with George Sabatino for years.

11. Society Hill Society

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400 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 273-1434
(267) 273-1434
Visit Website
Society Hill Society opened quietly on Headhouse Square, where the Artful Dodger sat for decades. Chef Yun Fuentes, who not too long ago opened Rosa Blanca with longtime employer Jose Garces, has switched gears with an inventive menu that pays homage to classic regional dishes and promises to rely heavily on the farmer's market that takes place just outside its door.

12. Sancho Pistola's

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19 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 324-3530
(267) 324-3530
Visit Website
Chef Adan Trinidad worked wonders in the kitchen at Jose Pistola's, and from there it didn't take long for the expansion talk to start. Younger brother Sancho's been kitted out with a more expansive menu that ranges from authentic (e.g. mole as crafted by Trinidad's mother) to the... well, to falafel tacos. Of course, the beer list is major, but the bar also makes great use of mezcal.

13. Pizzeria Vetri

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1939 Callowhill St.
Philadelphia, PA
Visit Website
It may not have come as a huge surprise, but Pizzeria Vetri started racking up praise immediately for its pistachio pesto-gilded rotolo and Neapolitan pies that Craig LaBan called "contenders for the city's best." Desserts and an exciting bar program round things out.

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1. Petruce et al

1121 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Brothers Jonathan and Justin Petruce (whose collective experience includes Mémé and Little Fish) built the kitchen for this new New American around a wood-fired oven and an Argentinean-style grill, so expect a little char. (And keep your eyes peeled for pizza, which isn't on the menu but has made a couple of special appearances.) Partner/GM/wine guru Tim Kweeder and beverage director George Costa focus on smart pairings that are always in service of the food.
1121 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 225-8232
Visit Website

2. Lolita

106 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
How does a ten-year-old restaurant land a spot on the Heatmap? By reimagining itself as a totally new restaurant, with a street food focus and a brand new liquor license. Make no mistake: the carne asada and the charm may have survived, but Lolita is brand new again.
106 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-7100
Visit Website

3. Volver

300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Few restaurants have gotten Philadelphians talking — really talking, and debating, and placing wagers — quite like Jose Garces' new showpiece that pulls out all the stops at the Kimmel Center. If you're not prepared to splash out on the full tasting menu experience, you can always duck into Bar Volver for cocktails and small plates to get a look at what everyone's been buzzing about.
300 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 670-2303
Visit Website

4. The Treemont

231 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Chip Roman's finally got a Center City restaurant to his name, and the menu and revamped interior are both getting high marks from diners so far. And it works as well for a full-on date night as it does an after-work drink, with a menu ranging from bar snacks through high-end entrees, cozy reserved seating in the loft, and ample room for walk-ins by the lower-level bar.
231 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Visit Website

5. Le Chéri

251 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
When the owners of Bibou open a swank new restaurant in the Art Alliance building, it's a pretty easy sell. The cuisine is as classic French as it gets, offering selections like pate en croute, lamb pot au feu, and cassoulet.
251 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-7700
Visit Website

6. a.kitchen

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
a.kitchen may be a familiar name, but for a while there, it was crying out for someone to breathe new life into it. And that's exactly what it got when operator David Fields partnered with Ellen Yin and Eli Kulp (who's installed High Street alum Jon Nodler as chef de cuisine) — the new menu is every bit as intriguing and satisfying as you'd expect from the team behind Fork and High Street on Market.
135 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
Visit Website

7. Tria Taproom

2005 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The draft system is pretty attention-grabbing, with 40 taps carrying beer, wine, cider, and sodas, plus the ability to go online and look up exactly how much is left of that rare brew you're stalking. But this is also the only Tria with a full kitchen, serving flatbreads and elevated pub grub in addition to the cheeses you'd expect from any place carrying the Tria name.
2005 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Visit Website

8. The Fat Ham

3131 Walnut Street, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Kevin Sbraga's second restaurant is a tiny U City spot serving Southern food to early raves. The menu nails respectful renditions of comfort classics with just enough cheffy twists and surprises to keep things fresh. In addition to the hot chicken and oyster po'boys, look for a very strong bar program, with barrel-aged bourbon cocktails and draft options that include beer, wine, and sweet tea.
3131 Walnut Street, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 735-1913
Visit Website

9. Laurel

1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Nicholas Elmi is a favorite to win the current season of Top Chef, but the cooking he's doing at his new E. Passyunk BYOB overshadows even Bravo-reality-show-level hype. The room is as tiny as it is lovely, so plan ahead.
1617 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-8299
Visit Website

10. The Good King Tavern

614 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
GKT opened in the same month as Le Cheri, meaning things are suddenly looking way up for Philly francophiles. The Good King is decidedly less white-tablecloth, with a lively bar and a classic brasserie menu with some inventive touches from chef Paul Lyons, who worked with George Sabatino for years.
614 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
Visit Website

11. Society Hill Society

400 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Society Hill Society opened quietly on Headhouse Square, where the Artful Dodger sat for decades. Chef Yun Fuentes, who not too long ago opened Rosa Blanca with longtime employer Jose Garces, has switched gears with an inventive menu that pays homage to classic regional dishes and promises to rely heavily on the farmer's market that takes place just outside its door.
400 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 273-1434
Visit Website

12. Sancho Pistola's

19 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Chef Adan Trinidad worked wonders in the kitchen at Jose Pistola's, and from there it didn't take long for the expansion talk to start. Younger brother Sancho's been kitted out with a more expansive menu that ranges from authentic (e.g. mole as crafted by Trinidad's mother) to the... well, to falafel tacos. Of course, the beer list is major, but the bar also makes great use of mezcal.
19 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 324-3530
Visit Website

13. Pizzeria Vetri

1939 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, PA
It may not have come as a huge surprise, but Pizzeria Vetri started racking up praise immediately for its pistachio pesto-gilded rotolo and Neapolitan pies that Craig LaBan called "contenders for the city's best." Desserts and an exciting bar program round things out.
1939 Callowhill St.
Philadelphia, PA
Visit Website

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