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First wine dinner of the season: Take a Tour de France! Join us for a flight of 5 white wines — please wear white!

When: Thursday, August 06, 2026 from 6-9pm

Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Elaine’s Restaurant is thrilled to invite you to a special Tour de France wine dinner with Nicolas Dornic, president of Dechaunac Wine Imports

Cost per guest: $131, plus tax and tip (limited to 30 guests)

Call to reserve your seat: 571-970-0517

Guests are encouraged to wear white!

FIRST MEZZA (Choose One)
FAVA BEAN DIP v, ve, gf* — Crispy Chickpeas, Caramelized Onions, Pita
HUMMUS v, ve,gf* — Chickpeas, Garlic, Lemon Tahini, Pita
BABA GHANOUSH v, ve, gf* — Roasted Eggplants, Garlic, Lemon Tahini, Pita
WINE Pairing: Pinot Blanc Domaine Specht 2023, Alsace

SECOND MEZZA (Choose One)
CRISPY BRUSSELS v, ve, gf — Harissa Honey, Lemon Tahini
SALTY FETA v, gf* — Tomatoes, Chives, Urfa Peppers, Pita
FRIED CAULIFLOWER v, ve — Muhammara Roasted Pepper Sauce, Fresh Herbs
WINE Pairing: Chablis Domaine Christophe Patrice 2025, Burgundy

White Wines from Dechaunac Wine Imports

ENTRÉE (Choose One)
KOSHARI v, ve — Vermicelli, Lentils, Chickpeas, Crispy Shallots, Garlic, Tomato Sauce
BLACKENED COD — Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Puree, Herbed Israeli Couscous, Sun-Dried Tomatoes
MARINATED BRANZINO gf — Cauliflower Puree, White Wine Sauce, Kalamata Olives, Roasted Red Pepper
SALMON WITH WHITE WINE SAUCE gf* — White Wine, Garlic, Marinated Olives, Artichoke Roasted Bell Peppers, Egyptian Rice
CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB gf* — Rice, Sumac Onions, Bell peppers, Tzatziki Vinaigrette
WINE Pairings: Rully Blanc Domaine de l’Ecette “les Gaudoirs” 2022, Burgundy • Château Sainte Marie Entre Deux Mers 2024, Bordeaux

DESSERT (Choose One)
PISTASHIO BAKLAVA CHEESECAKE v — Phyllo-Dough, Pistachios, Walnuts, Honey
GRANDMA’S CRÈME CARAMEL v, gf — Baked Custard, Strawberries, Caramel Sauce
POACHED PEAR v, ve*, gf* — Spiced White Wine, Pistachio Crumble, Mascarpone Whipped Cream
WINE Pairing: Domaine Nadal-Hainaut Muscat de Rivesaltes NV, Roussillon

Bottles of the wines are available for purchase.

“Furious,” by Jeffrey James Higgins

GetLit: Tonight, we hope to light up all of your senses by connecting Elaine’s Literary Salon to our bi-monthly wine dinners.

On the Tour de France menu: Jeffrey James Higgins’ international thriller Furious takes us around the world with Dr. Dagny Steele. On the verge of fulfilling her lifelong calling to become a pediatric surgeon, the sudden death of her daughter sends her into a crushing depression. She takes a leave of absence and sails across the Indian Ocean with her husband. Dagny begins to recover from her tragic loss when her voyage turns into a nightmare. Isolated and hunted at sea, can she survive the deadly crucible?

During dinner: Jeff will do a short reading from his book and offer copies of Furious with a 10% discount to guests.

About our wine dinner host, Nicolas Dornic: Having grown up in France, Nicolas has a natural affinity with food, wine, and the hospitality business. As an avid traveler, Nicolas spent time working in different countries: England, Spain, France, the U.S., Russia, Azerbaijan, and Mexico. Nicolas started his career working in the biggest world food market of Paris (Rungis) as a Food Broker, and later became a Sales Representative in various fields such as the Oil & Gas Industry and Textile. He then moved to the U.S., where Nicolas became a Wine Sales Manager and B2B Specialist, working with people from diverse cultures and ensuring their company’s needs were met. Today, you can rely on Nicolas’s multicultural and sales experience to help grow your business. Learn more: dechaunacwine.com

Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA

About Elaine’s Restaurant: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.