World leaders dine in style as they discuss financial crisis

[babylonsister]

Nice to see so much belt-tightening going on. :eyes:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/14/world-leaders-dine-in-style-as-they-discuss-financial-crisis/

World leaders dine in style as they discuss financial crisis
Posted: 10:53 PM ET


Shafer Cabernet “Hillside Select” 2003 can go for as much as $500 a bottle.


(CNN) – The global economy may be undergoing a significant downturn, but the White House's dinner budget still appears flush with cash.

After all, world leaders who are in town to discuss the economic crisis are set to dine in style Friday night while sipping wine listed at nearly $500 a bottle.

According to the White House, tonight's dinner to kick off the G-20 summit includes such dishes as "Fruitwood-smoked Quail," "Thyme-roasted Rack of Lamb," and "Tomato, Fennel and Eggplant Fondue Chanterelle Jus."

To wash it all down, world leaders will be served Shafer Cabernet “Hillside Select” 2003, a wine that sells at $499 on Wine.com.

The exceedingly pricey wine may seem a bit peculiar given leaders are in Washington to discuss a possible world financial meltdown, but Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for Laura Bush, said it "was the most appropriate wine that we had in the White House wine cellar for such a gathering.

McDonough also said the White House purchased the wine at a "significantly lower price" than what it is listed at.

"Of course the White House gets its wine at wholesale prices," she said. "Given the intimate size of the group, it was an appropriate time for The White House to use this stock."

The leaders of the U.K., France, Russia, China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and 11 developing economies have all come to Washington at the behest of President Bush in an effort to express confidence in the fundamental underpinnings of the world's economy.

[Bluebear]

1. 'Of course the White House gets its wine at wholesale prices' - Oh, well, that's OK then.

:eyes:

[OhioChick]

2. What a disgrace!

:shaking head:

K&R

[Sanity Claws]

3. "it was an appropriate time for The White House to use this stock."

In other words, they're trying to drain the wine cellar before the next guy comes in.

[Arkana]

4. Well, George already drank all the rotgut during Katrina.

[Fridays Child]

5. Hamburger Helper, some frozen veggies, maybe fruit for dessert--whatever's on sale.

A meal like that might have allowed them to understand how a lot of us usually eat, here in the U.S.

Can't speak for the citizens of the other countries represented at that table.

[Critters2]

6. I was thinking of making Tomato, Fennel and Eggplant Fondue Chanterelle Jus for supper

but, wouldn't you know! I'm out of fennel.

Someone needs to explain the concept of "financial crisis" to these morans.

[Retrograde]

17. are these supposed to be exotic?

It's late for eggplant, but the rest were at the farmers' market this morning - and I'm still picking tomatoes here in northern California. (I have no idea what's available in the DC area at this time of year.) As for the thyme-encrusted lamb, thyme grows like a weed, and lamb is a safe choice for a dinner since it doesn't have the religious taboos that pork or beef have in some cultures. The quail's a bit fancy, but not that uncommon. (Maybe they got Cheney to bag them a few?)

Lots of adjectives make us think something is better or more exclusive than it actually is, especially if you throw a French word or two in the mix. "Mesclun of baby greens with pomegranate/lemon vinaigrette" sounds a lot better with "whatever I could find in the garden today" or "whatever the market had on sale". And no matter what the White House chef serves, most of the cost is labor.

The wines are on the steep side, but at least they're domestic!

Rag on Bush for sponsoring a summit that probably won't accomplish anything, or bringing all these people to DC instead of using WebEx, but IMHO the menu is not out of line.

[Critters2]

18. The minute you start calling soup "jus", the price has a funny way of jumping.

A working dinner over pizza, or actual tomato soup would've been more appropriate.

[lpbk2713]

7. "Let them eat cake."

Where was Marie Antoinette during all this? :eyes:

[surrealAmerican]

8. I understand them serving "good" food, but, that they can't ...

... see the irony here, is just sad.

[lapfog_1]

9. Just once...

could they show a little empathy for the folks that elevated most of these people to their positions.

Order in a pizza or something. Have a few sodas or, gasp, inexpensive wine. $10/bottle. It's not even all that bad, some is quite good.

Jesus.

Are they really discussing "Wow, that was easy, we scammed the American taxpayers out of $700B, how did you guys do? Would you like another $100 glass of wine with the next fruitwood smoked quail? We have plenty!"

[crimsonblue]

10. That's a good wine. n/t.

[Peace Patriot]

11. $500 a bottle wine. Perfect. nt

[Number23]

12. Babysis, I see your article and I raise you this priceless jewel...

"ANTI-poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof charged $100,000 to come to Melbourne and give a speech about world suffering."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,24654642-2,00.html

Paid $100K to discuss POVERTY! If this doesn't make folks want to vomit, I don't know what will...

[Critters2]

14. OMG.

[babylonsister]

16. Wow. My opinion of Geldof just tanked. And do you speak Aussie?

What is a minder? And what does spruiking mean? :shrug:

An event insider said the Geldof payments included the costs of a minder.

Geldof appears on various websites spruiking the international speakers' circuit.

[Number23]

20. LOL I'll try to translate

A "minder" would be what we call a handler, just somebody who's an organizer, scheduler and helps keep the riff-raff away from the gilded ones like Geldof. :)

"Spruiking" in this case would be someone who goes around telling any and everyone what a fabulous person they are, regardless of whether anyone actually asked. I know Geldof did a great thing with Live Aid back in the 80's but this man is not an academic or a policy wonk in the area of poverty reduction. The idea that he thinks he deserves $100K to "talk" about poverty is actually offensive to me.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

19. Hypocritical turd

Another candidate for the impalement stake.

[melody]

13. I got coupons for Sizzler

Two for one with a half-price salad bar. I think that should cover most everyone (depending upon religious diet restrictions).

[Critters2]

15. That's the great thing about a salad bar. Nearly anyone can find things they can eat.

They could go without quail for a night or two, istm.

[acmavm]

21. Everytime these clucks and fucks get together this happens. And we end

up reading about it.

I think I'm suffering from outrage overload.

[Irish Girl]

22. What, - you expect the nobility to eat like us peasants?

"You slave, me Master."