D.C.’s Epic Le Dîner en Blanc Dinner Returns Next Month

After a pandemic-caused pause in 2020, the annual Le Dîner en Blanc pop-up dinner is back on Saturday, August 21, for its seventh year in D.C. The long-standing French picnic party that invites 4,500 guests to wear all white from head to toe will be held at an “iconic” D.C. location announced the day of, per a release on Wednesday. Tickets ($58 per person) will be released in phases, starting with access to those who attended the last one in 2019 at Freedom Plaza. Per tradition, guests bring their own (white) tables, chairs, and decor to throw an elaborate DIY dinner party, or attendees can opt to rent a seating setup. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, D.C. editions since 2014 have been held at prime locations like Carnegie Library and Nationals Park. In Burning Man fashion, attendees leave no trace at the end of the night (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.).

In other news...

• It was a Bastille Day bust last night for Stephen Starr’s Logan Circle stalwart Le Diplomate, which had to pull the plug on planned festivities that included French cocktails, an accordion player, and roaming sketch artist. Eater confirmed a kitchen fire occurred shortly after dinner service started at 5 p.m. and the building was forced to evacuate.

Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

• Per an ABRA notice, the Wharf’s Mexican eatery Mi Vida will expand to Logan Circle. Knead Hospitality + Design will plant an additional location in the prime 300-seat corner location formerly occupied by Matchbox (1901 14th Street NW).
• In celebration of Peru’s Independence Day on July 28, Vienna ceviche spot Inca Social rolls out a special three-course dinner all month ($38.50 per person, $43.50 with a cocktail).
• The shuttered Seventh Hill Pizza near Eastern Market Metro, an early casualty of the pandemic response, is getting a new tenant and it’s also a pizzeria. PoPville reports that La Casina DC has a liquor license placard up at 327 7th St. SE. [P]
• In honor of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 18, Navy Yard’s brand new Kilwins is giving away free scoops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kilwins/official photo

• Family-run Amoo’s Restaurant in McLean is now delivering pints of Persian ice cream made with saffron under the moniker Kinrose Creamery. [NoVa Mag]