2009 Inaugural Luncheon Details Announced

[struggle4progress]

... The 2009 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

First Course: Seafood Stew
Duckhorn Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course: A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes
Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Third Course: Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé
Korbel Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée,” California Champagne

The first course will be served on replicas of the china from the Lincoln Presidency, which was selected by Mary Todd Lincoln at the beginning of her husband's term in office ...

The backdrop for the luncheon will be a painting, chosen for occasion, and borrowed from the New-York Historical Society. The painting, "View of the Yosemite Valley," by Thomas Hill, reflects the majestic landscape of the American West and the dawn of a new era. The subject of the painting, Yosemite Valley, represents an important but often overlooked event from Lincoln's presidency -- his signing of the 1864 Yosemite Grant, which set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias as a public reserve ...

<pdf:> http://i.usatoday.net/news/TheOval/Inaugural-lunch-1-9-2009.pdf
http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/luncheon/

Inaugural lunch to recall Lincoln's favorite foods
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/01/61105192/1

[glowing]

1. Guess they are really going for that theme of bringing the country together

from partisan division that has torn us apart for nearly 30yrs, or more.

[NightWatcher]

2. what, no pie?

[struggle4progress]

9. We want pie! We want pie!

And we wonder why we never get invited to these inaugural luncheon thingies...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Korbel? Didn't know they made anything worth drinking

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. What's a "brace" of birds?

[Occam Bandage]

15. A "brace" is a pair of things that are similar. Two birds can be called "a brace of birds,"

though you never would unless you were trying to be as pretentious as possible.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. What's a "brace" of birds?

[Jennicut]

7. Hmmm, at least its not Turducken?

[smalll]

6. I'm outraged!

They're serving seafood AND birds? When everyone knows that the world's oceans are being gravely depleted of biomass, and so are the skies? Clearly, Obama has zero concern for the environment. And what about that third course?!?! Sweet CREAM Glace? That's a pre-meditated and un-mistakeable SNUB of the lactose-intolerant. Apple Cinnamon SPONGE cake? A clear sign that Obama's administration will be a hopelessly soft and centrist one without a hint of a backbone - at best! Because what with serving it all on replica china from a REPUBLICAN presidency, Obama is signaling that the neo-con, PNAC types will still be in charge even after the Bush regime ends! ESPECIALLY by serving all this with a backdrop that "reflects the majestic landscape of the American West" -- is this about conservation? Clearly not, with the fish-and-fowl holocaust of the first two courses. Instead, this is a genuflection to the old "manifest destiny" attitude that led directly to American imperialism, from the conquest of the Philippines all the way up to the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama is dead to me! This is the last staw!

[Jennicut]

8. yeah, what the hell is chutney anyway?!

I am not so sure I would want to eat the foods Lincoln ate back in the day but if Barack and Joe want to then, I say go for it.

[whistler162]

13. Dang ELITIST food is what it is!!!

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-chutney.htm

;)

[janx]

19. My mother used to make some kick-ass chutney

when I was growing up. I haven't even heard the word in quite some time!

[cliffordu]

20. I think it's like Orange jam, but you use the peels instead of the actual fruit.

[kwassa]

10. good rant!

The subject deserves it!

[Occam Bandage]

16. I was hoping to write something similar, but I couldn't possibly top this. nt

[Clio the Leo]

11. If I were the First Lady...

(and I realize the First Lady is not in charge of this per se, but it reminded me) I would make sure NOTHING served at any White House function served any time soon sounded the least bit weird. You cant be serving weird foreign sounding crap in the middle of an economic crisis.

It can taste fancy .... it would just need a common name. Nothing French, nothing that needed an explanation.

And just once ..... once ..... I would demand that the chef serve Mac and Cheese.

It can be the finest mac and cheese from the grandest Wisconsin cheddar and organic, whole grain pasta, but it would be mac and cheese.

And I would forward that menu to Rachel! ;)

[whistler162]

14. and revive FDR's serving of

hot dogs, Hoffmann from Syracuse NY, to royalty when they visit.

[eyesroll]

18. Isn't this what Bush did for the last 8 years?

:shrug:

[book_worm]

12. I would serve Kraft mac and cheese and fish sticks (and peas)

the kind of dish poor folks can relate to. I know I did when I was growing up. Beverage? milk or water. Oh, and I'm being generous with the KRAFT mac and cheese, in our house it was usually the store brand which was about 15 or 20 cents cheaper per box.

[66 dmhlt]

17. Thanks! I may be in the minority (so what else is new) but I found it fascinating