The official program for the Chinese state dinner at the White House (menu, music, notes)

[elleng]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/19/AR2011011905381.html

[leftstreet]

1. What the hell is a 'black trumpet mushroom?'

The double stuffed potatoes with creamed spinach sounds good, though

:D

[elleng]

4. Looks like this:

and tastes like: The fragrent and often abundent Black Chanterelle or Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax) is a popular mushroom in French cusine because of it's unique flavor and texture. Fragrant fresh specimens are said to resemble apricots.

http://theforagerpress.com/fieldguide/augfd.htm

[Auggie]

2. I might have picked a Viognier to go with the lobster...

though if the orange glazed carrots are particulary sweet a Washington State Reisling could work too.

Sounds like a great evening.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. When your boss is in town...

...always serve on the fine china.