Food Meets Politics

Ahhh...my two favorite topics meet. The White House hosted Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, for dinner tonight (Monday), and this is apparently the last time President Bush hosts an official dinner for a world leader. Here's the menu:

MENU FOR THE OFFICIAL DINNER

IN HONOR OF HIS EXCELLENCY

SILVIO BERLUSCONI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Delicata Squash Soup with Citron

Maine Lobster Fondue

Artichoke and Reggiano Cheese Ravioli

Ponzi Chardonnay “Reserve” 2005

Rosemary-crusted Elysian Farm Lamb

Crispy Eggplant and Swiss Chard

Robert Mondavi Cabernet “Reserve” 2005

“Santa Maria”

Chocolate Napoleon

Iron Horse “Russian River Cuvée” 2003

So, being the bright guy that I am, I noticed they're serving ravioli. To the Italian PM. Is that really a good idea? Not that I doubt the WH chef's abilities, but why risk an international incident by serving Italian dishes here? What if it turns out that Berlusconi grew up eating artichoke with romano cheese ravioli instead? I know Berlusconi likes Bush, so presumably he would take no offense. But still, this is dangerous territory. Would have been safer to have gone American.

On a related note, the ABC article also points out that this is an "official visit" and not a "State Dinner," the latter being functionally the same as the former except for the name. The White House decided that given the current economic worries it would not behoove them to be seen hosting an extravagant State Dinner (even though they're the same thing, with full pomp and circumstance...well, you get the idea).

What's in a name, you ask? In the elitist, rarefied air of international diplomacy, everything. State Dinners are a huge deal and a matter of prestige, symbolic not only by commission but equally by omission. When China's President, Hu Jintao, visited the U.S. in 2006, he got just an "official visit" and no dinner at all, just a "working luncheon"--an intentional indignity. And here is the menu from that event:

Menu for the Luncheon in Honor of the Visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Madam Liu Yongqing

Butter Heirloom Corn Broth
with Scallions

Seared Ginger-scented Dumplings

Wild-caught Alaskan Halibut
with Mushroom Essence

Sugar Snap Peas, Spring Legumes, and Sweet Carrots

Freckles Bibb Lettuce with Grilled Eggplant
Banyuls Vinaigrette

"A Good Fortune"
Melon Three Ways
Candied Ginger and Orange Peel
Warm Almond Cakes

Newton Chardonnay "unfiltered" 2002

Ginger-scented Dumplings? Bibb Lettuce? Candied Ginger and Orange Peel? Are you kidding me? They might as well have ordered take-out.