The Presidential Palate

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Only 44 times in our country's history has a new President been inaugurated, but that doesn’t mean only those limited few can feel presidential. Though you may not have an oval office, live in a white house, or have a private 747 at your beck and call, you can certainly eat like a president. President Obama, often called a “Barackstar” during the campaign, has put food back in the national spotlight. He eats out, takes his wife on dates, and even has eateries from other cities come to the White House to prepare meals. So if you're feeling presidential, and it's time for a power meal before your next summit, then check out these places.

Fast Food
If you were president and you had a craving for some good fast food, then you would make a quick run to Five Guys burgers for lunch. President Obama took the entire press corps, his motorcade, and spectators to the Five Guys Nationals Stadium location on a lunch run. President Obama’s “usual?” One cheeseburger and fries, with jalapeños, tomatoes, and mustard.

When in Arlington Obama is also known to visit Ray’s Hell Burgers. Though a little more formal than Five Guys, President Obama sticks to his favorite, a basic cheddar cheeseburger, medium well, with Dijon mustard. When it comes to potatoes, the President prefers good old french fries, and none of those minced up tater tots.

When they're near the capital, the first family is known to get takeout at Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery. Mendelsohn, who once competed on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, has already been a guest chef at the White House, and you’ll often see Michelle Obama making a quick burger stop at his place on the way home.

Pastries
During the campaign, then Senator Obama often commented, “This campaign runs on donuts.” But one might ask, which doughnut is the key to political success? Many believe that Obama frequents Dunkin’ Donuts when trying to get his fix. Maybe America does run on Dunkin’.

Fine Dining
For many men, date night is probably not the most exciting night of the week. Unlike most men, however, the President has a fleet of private helicopters and a motorcade ready in all major cities. On a recent date in New York City, the Obamas dined at Blue Hill in Washington Place while the Broadway show they were to attend "waited up" for them. This environmentally conscious restaurant is known for their farm-to-restaurant meals. Being an environmentalist and a supporter of local-grown food never tasted so good.

Blue Hill's location, a cavernous basement, was a legendary speakeasy during prohibition, and has a cozy ambiance. Though Blue Hill's staff refuse to reveal what the Obamas dined on, the restaurant is known for its cauliflower steak with asparagus, dried fruit and almonds, and Cobia with "wintered over" parsnips and asparagus, topped with paddlefish roe.

While in Washington, D.C. the Obamas had their first date night at Citronelle in Georgetown. Known for its American-French fusion cuisine, Citronelle is one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in the D.C. metro area. It is also a purveyor of all-organic produce and meats, of which Michelle Obama is a big fan. The Obamas shared a tuna niçoise for appetizer, while the President had short ribs and the First Lady indulged in a lobster burger topped with crumbled potato chips. Citronelle's executive chef, Michael Richard, has won nearly every culinary laud in existence, and his restaurant deserves the honors. Citronelle's dishes are light, organic, and delicate, and though they may cost a pretty penny, a President would think nothing of it. One thing is for sure, Presidents don't need reservations, they simply arrive.

Quick Snacks
President Obama’s snack of choice is a nice bag of M&M’s. The White House is full of them, and every morning with breakfast, White House staffers can grab an entire box of them if they want to. On Fridays as a special treat the sterling silver bowls that are found throughout the West Wing are filled with peanut M&M’s instead of the typical milk chocolate.


Photo credit: flickr cc p373