A Valentine's dinner fit for the leader of the free world

[babylonsister]

A Valentine's dinner fit for the leader of the free world

By Mary Owen and Stacy St. Clair | Tribune reporters
11:36 PM CST, February 14, 2009


If it's good enough for Oprah Winfrey, it's good enough for the leader of the free world.

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, celebrated Valentine's Day at a Gold Coast restaurant owned by the TV queen's one-time personal chef, Art Smith.

For their first big date since the inauguration, the Obamas selected Table Fifty-Two, an upscale establishment where the menu features decadent southern fare such as pan-seared catfish, low-country shrimp with stone-ground grits and buttermilk fried chicken. Red velvet cake was the dessert special Saturday evening.

Smith, a renowned cookbook author who served Winfrey for 10 years, greeted the couple as they entered the restaurant while fellow diners applauded and cheered. The Obamas smiled and waved before heading to a private dining room on the second floor, patrons said. Their meal lasted for about two hours according to media pool reports.

"Everyone seemed to be in awe. Everyone's phones opened up," said Brandon Byrne, 22, a Northwestern student who was celebrating Valentine's Day at the restaurant.

"It's crazy. You're eating dinner 30 feet from the most famous person in the world."

more...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-valentine-15feb15,0,5282178.story

[Kalyke]

1. Bahahahahahahaha!

I've been fighting all the Southern bashing on at least three threads over the past several days and what do I open up this thread to find?

The Obamas celebrated Valentine's Day by honoring Southern culture in the form of some of the best, damn food one ever put in their mouths.

Thank you Barak and Michelle!!

:rofl:

[BlooInBloo]

4. They are but few who would deny that southern *food* is wonderful.

[Cha]

6. I don't deny it's

wicked soul food.:9

[chill_wind]

5. Just came back from some low-country parts

(Hilton Head, Charleston-- ah Savannah!) I'll never be the same. That's some sinfully wicked good cooking and real FOOD!!

[alsame]

2. Lucky people in Chicago, DC and Hawaii - they never know when

they'll be surprised by a visit from the First Couple!

[yellowdogintexas]

7. true...my daughter's boyfriend is in chef school and wants to study next

under Rick Bayless in Chicago who just happens to run two of the Obamas' favorite places...one of which is where they ate for their anniversary.


edited to add: these students are required to intern in a restaurant and the Chicago places are on the school's list. He probably has a good shot at it, I hope so. It will advance his career Obama's favorite restaurant or not!
(keeping fingers crossed)

[alsame]

9. Best of luck to him - let us know if

he ever has the honor of cooking for the President :)

[BlooInBloo]

3. mmmm... Catfish....

[ginnyinWI]

11. he had grouper and she had chicken breast.

That's what the chef said.

[AspenRose]

8. Yum...that sounds delish

:9

[ginnyinWI]

10. the comments after the article at the trib site

Why is it that racist idiots insist on parading their ignorance around on every site they can? Because they are racist idiots, I guess. :-(