Le Diplomate to Host White House Correspondents' Dinner After Party

Attorney Steve O'Brien and William Washington, General Manager of Le Diplomate restaurant (1601 14th Street NW), came before Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle last night (April 10) to ask for endorsement of a one-day change in operating hours.

Late nights coming to 14th and Q

Le Diplomate wishes to stay open until 5am Sunday, May 4, so it may host a White House Correspondents' Dinner after party. The dinner will be hosted by The Atlantic magazine. It will start at midnight, after the White House Correspondents' Dinner itself on the evening of May 3.

Le Diplomate's settlement agreement (11-page .pdf here) states that it must stop operation at 1:45am on weekends. For this one time only, Le Diplomate will ask to be allowed to serve alcohol until 3am, and continue service until 5am.

Although Le Diplomate has a large outdoor space, William Washington told the ANC all service would be indoors.

The motion to endorse the request passed unanimously. O'Brien and Washington asked for a letter as soon as possible so the request can move on to D.C.'s liquor licensing authorities.

Le Diplomate Requests Temporary Seasonal Enclosure

Popular French Bistro Le Diplomate (1601 14th Street NW) has a request in the works for a temporary seasonal enclosure.

Le Diplomate's outdoor seating on Q Street

The Community Development Committee of Advisory Neighborhood Committee (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle heard the request last night at its regular monthly meeting. Le Diplomate currently has outdoor seating on two sides of its restaurant -- the 14th Street side and the Q Street side.

The Committee voted unanimously after a short discussion to recommend that the full ANC approve the request. ANC2F may consider this issue at its next meeting. The meeting is scheduled next Wednesday, October 2, at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle). Please note the meeting will start half an hour earlier than usual, at 6:30pm. Ward Two DC Councilmember Jack Evans is scheduled to appear at the meeting to discuss the recent incidents of gun violence in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

Le Diplomate's request must then be considered and approved by two agencies of the DC government -- the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), which handles public space issues, and the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), because Le Diplomate is located in the Fourteenth Street Historic District.

Le Diplomate in Running for Historic Preservation Prize

(Luis Gomez Photos, used by permission)

Popular French Bistro Le Diplomate (1601 14th Street NW) is hoping to add praise for historic preservation to its collection of great reviews.

Le Diplomate in early 2013 (top) and today

Le Diplomate is up for a 2014 District of Columbia Historic Preservation Award.

The award was discussed briefly at the September 9 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan. The ANC then voted unanimously to write a letter to DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) in support of Le Diplomate's bid for the award.

Le Diplomate opened for business in April.

The previous business operating on the site was a dry cleaner.