Obama's First State Dinner: The Menu

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: White House

(CBS/Frank Thorp)

The White House has released the menu for tonight's state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It is both tailored to Indian tastes and to the predilections of the prime minister, who has reportedly been "described by aides as an abstemious vegetarian." (Abstemious: "sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.")

Here's the menu, which will be prepared by guest Chef Marcus Samuelsson and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford. (At left, check out photos from CBS News' Frank Thorp of the table settings for the event.) You'll note the only non-strictly vegetarian option are the green curry prawns:

Potato and Eggplant Salad
White House Arugula w/ Onion Seed Vinaigrette
2008 Savingnon Blanc, Modus Operandi, Napa Valley

Red Lentil Soup w Fresh Cheese
2006 Riesling, Brooks "Ara", Wilamette Valley
Roast Potato Dumplings w Tomato Chutney
Chick Peas and Okra or Green Curry Prawns w caramelized Salsify w smoke Collard Greens and coconut aged basmati
2007 Granache Beckman Vineyards, Santa Ynez, CA

Pumpkin pie tart
Pear tatin
Whipped Cream and Caramel sauce
Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut Janisson Brut, Monticello, VA

Petits fours and Coffee
Cashew Brittle
Pecan Pralines
Passion fruit and vanilla gelees
Chocolate dipped fruit

(CBS/Frank Thorp)

More than 300 guests are expected at the black-tie event, which marks marks the first state dinner of Barack Obama's presidency. Among the performers will be Jennifer Hudson, Kurt Elling and A.R. Rahman.

"A dinner of this magnitude is months in the making, takes days of round-the-clock preparations as the night of the dinner approaches and costs taxpayers a pretty penny, estimated as much as half a million dollars," reports CBS News' Mark Knoller. "The government does not disclose the precise cost of such dinners, but they are funded by the budget of the State Department's Office of Protocol."

Compare this Menu to Other Obama Dinners
Mark Knoller: Obama Prepares for First State Dinner
Nancy Cordes and Laura Schwartz Preview the Festivities on "The Early Show"

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by 2012EOD November 24, 2009 10:36 PM EST: The 338-person guest list was a mix of wonky Washington, Hollywood A-listers, prominent figures from the Indian community in the U.S., and Obama friends, family and campaign donors.; Reply to this comment


by sero5 November 24, 2009 10:09 PM EST: As long as the Chinese government keeps buy U.S. treasury securities, our government afford these state dinners.; Reply to this comment


by kcsteak2 November 24, 2009 7:00 PM EST: Wow, what a difference from bbq to BS.; Reply to this comment

by 2012EOD November 24, 2009 4:53 PM EST

How nice, while 10% of our country wonders where the money for their next meal will come from.

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by velma179 November 24, 2009 8:05 PM EST: by 2012EOD November 24, 2009 4:53 PM EST

10% of our country?

If you are talking about the unemployed... that isn't the same. MOST children are not in the American work force, you do know that...I hope!

A lot of these unemployed people will have a next meal because President Obama not only gave each and every one of them and additional $25 weekly on the UI checks, he has extended their benefit periods Twice.

This money comes directly from the Economic Stimulus he made to approve at the beginning of his term.

PS -- State dinners have occurred during tough times for ordinary Americans as a matter of course -- and diplomatic necessity -- throughout our history.

Take your sarcasm elsewhere, please.


by 2012EOD November 24, 2009 10:28 PM EST: How nice of President Obama to give the 25 dollars. That 25 dollars is the tax payers money (or China) not his. What are you talking about children for?

How nice to extend the benefits, how about all the jobs he promised, where are they?

I wonder if he is even thinking about it, while he wine and dines the Hollywood millionares?