Justin Bittner is Leaving Bar Pilar (Updated)

Longtime Bar Pilar chef Justin Bittner is leaving the Logan Circle restaurant. "While Bar Pilar is a bit heartbroken, we have decided to take the high road and throw a party instead of wallow in our pajamas eating ice cream," the restaurant said in a statement.

That means a big pig roast upstairs on Saturday, Aug. 17 to mark the occasion. Tickets for the event can be purchased through CityEats, beginning Aug. 6.

Bittner worked for the restaurant for seven years. Sister restaurant Cafe Saint-Ex also recently lost its top chef; Jesse Miller is now overseeing things there. A restaurant spokeswoman said she couldn't immediately say who will replace Bittner or where he is headed.

Update: The Washington Post finds out that Bittner's new destination is 8407 Kitchen Bar. That Silver Spring restaurant lost chef Ed Witt to the Hawk & Dove.
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