Croix’s wagyu burger with jerk wings and calabaza pizza. | Rey Lopez for Croix Eater writers and editors always get the same question. Friends, family, acquaintances, and randos all want to know, “Where should I eat right now?” That’s where the Eater Heatmap enters the conversation, pointing diners toward the most intriguing or otherwise buzzy new restaurants in the D.C. area. This list considers restaurants that have been open for six months or less. For the hottest new bars in D.C., go here. And for our map of the region’s 38 essential restaurants, go here. New to the list: Alfie’s, for fiery Thai food in Georgetown; Xi’an Famous Foods, for hand-pulled noodles in Clarendon; Croix, for a breezy taste of the Caribbean in Navy Yard; and Cafe Tulum, for ceviche and well-made mezcal cocktails in Georgetown. And for this latest monthly refresh of our heatmap, we take off: Emma’s Torch, Tenleytown Provisions, Rye Bunny, and Cielo. For all the latest Washington D.C. dining intel, subscribe to Eater DC’s newsletter. ...read more read less