President Joe Biden paid a Memorial Day visit to one of D.C.'s hottest pre-pandemic eateries, where he dined with Vice President Kamala Harris and both their spouses at Le Diplomate.
The foursome brunched at the popular French eatery on D.C.'s 14th street for more than an hour.
Joining were first lady Dr. Jill Biden and first gentleman Doug Emhoff. Although their order wasn't immediately known, The lively bistro offers such brunch fare as Poached Eggs Basquaise for $16, a Lobster Omelette for $23, and Avocado Toast for $15.
It also offers Dorade Royale en Papillote for $31 and a $31 for a lobster risotto, a menu item it offered this year in the first lady's honor.
President Joe Biden dined at Le Diplomate in Washington along with first lady Jill Biden (l), Vice President Kamala Harris, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff
By bringing along his vice president, Biden rekindled a tradition from the Obama administration, when the former president and his then-vice president would frequently sample local eateries, usually burgers.
Le Diplomate, which recreates elements of a Parisian bistro, also provides a Burger Americain.
Surprised onlookers cheered upon the arrival of the president and his entourage, as Secret Service agents provided protection and screened restaurant guests.
Agents kept the power-foursome out of sight while inside, although the restaurant is one of many that set up an expanse of additional outdoor tables to ride out the pandemic.
Biden was greeted to cheers as he arrived at the high-end French eatery
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff joined the foursome
RIGHT THIS WAY: The menu offers omelettes, a Burger Americain, and lobster risotto
Earlier, Biden participated in a wreath ceremony at Arlington for Memorial Day
The menu features a cornucopia of seafood, including assorted oysters, along with a Burger Americain and Steak Frites
When he left, a guest seated outside introduced herself, and Biden proceeded to pet her curly-haired dog behind the ears. 'I've got two German shepherds at home,' he told her. 'I know,' she responded. He pronounced the pooch 'cute,' and the woman told him: 'Thank you for everything, Mr. President.'
Jill Biden would visit the restaurant when her husband was vice president and the restaurant had first opened.
One Twitter user, Bettina Weiss, tweeted out video of the group's arrival. It featured a cameo by her visiting mother.
It was the kind of outing that former President Donald Trump rarely undertook in the heavily Democratic nation's capital.
The gathering took place just minutes after Biden offered solemn remarks to acknowledge the nation's war dead – while also issuing a warning that 'democracy is in peril.'
He also included a few lines that referenced the raging debate about economic inequality, speaking of the 'aspirations of the many and the greed of the few.'
'The soul of America is animated by the perennial battle between our worst instincts, which we’ve seen of late and our better angels. Between "me first," and "we the people." Between greed and generosity,' Biden said. Between 'cruelty and kindness, captivity and freedom,' he intoned.
He said of U.S. forces in a long line of conflicts: 'They weren't fighting for dictators. They were fighting for democracy.'
'They weren't fighting to exclude or to enslave. They were fighting to build and broaden and liberate. They weren't fighting for self, they were fighting for the soul of the nation. For liberty and simple fair play. Simple fair play and decency.'
'Democracy is more than a form of government. It's a way of being. It's a way of seeing the world. Democracy means the rule of the people ... Not the rule of monarchs. Not the rule of the money. Not the rule of the mighty,' said Biden.
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