Dupont’s Irish Whiskey Bar Shifts to Prix Fixe Dining, Plus More Intel

Switcheroos

Washington City Paper reports that neighborhood watering hole Irish Public Whiskey House is changing gears this fall, dumping shots of Jameson and pretzel bites for a four-course, prix fixe menu that includes post-dinner drinks (and hopefully discussion) at an upstairs lounge. The whiskey bar, which will be transformed into Tulips, closed just weeks after its five-year anniversary. [WCP]

Celebrity picnic baskets are here

Empire builder Mike Isabella has created six gourmet picnic baskets drawing from his existing crop of local restaurants for Diner en Blanc (Saturday, August 26) attendees to choose from. The custom bundles, portioned for two, include a gourmet spreads- and cheese-filled offering tied to Requin; a charcuterie- and pasta salad-packed production from Graffiato; and a vegetarian number (think: steamed edamame, and chilled soba noodles) associated with Yona.

McCloud memorial announced

Linda S. McCloud, the wife of Cedar and Clyde’s Restaurant Group alum Aaron McCloud, is hosting a memorial for the late chef from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, July 17 at Mintwood Place. The “celebration of life” will mark what would have been McCloud’s 39th birthday.

CH-CH-Changes

PoPville reports that nearly decade-old Policy has withdrawn from its downstairs space, paving the way for something called Bresca to open this fall. The Latin American-themed lounge plans to reopen upstairs Wednesday, July 12, following completion of a recent renovation. [PoPville]