You Can Dine Like The Obamas At These Top-Notch Restaurants
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Ah, the Obamas. They’re about as classy as you can get. Over the last eight years, the Obamas have dined at some top-notch restaurants. We’re not talking about all fine dining spots either. The beloved duo knew when to indulge at Michelin-starred restaurants and when to roll up their sleeves and eat burgers. While they’re no longer in the White House, you can take a few of the Obama’s favorite restaurants and add them to your bucket list. If it’s good enough for Barack and Michelle, it should definitely be on your radar.
Blue Hill, Pocantico Hills, New York, U.S.
Dan Barber is a revolutionary chef who puts serious meaning behind the farm-to-table trend. His award-winning restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, located in Pocantico Hills, New York, offers an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. His views on food and agriculture policy go far beyond the culinary world. Obama actually appointed Dan to serve on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. He aims to “blur the line between the dining experience and the educational, bringing the principles of good farming directly to the table.” Barack and Michelle had a date night at the Blue Hill New York City outpost where they ate from the hyper-local, seasonal menu.
Rose’s Luxury, Washington, D.C., U.S.
This D.C. hot spot, helmed by the Michelin-starred chef Aaron Silverman, is set in a converted townhouse on Capitol Hill. The restaurant has a farmhouse-style vibe and draws in massive crowds for its innovative small plates. They don’t take reservations, but you can bet they made an exception to that rule when the White House called. Michelle dined at Rose’s Luxury with a group of eight people and then returned with Barack for his birthday in 2015.
Sukiyabashi Jiro, Tokyo, Japan
With a stamp of approval from Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama, Sukiyabashi Jiro is one for the books. The 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant with three Michelin stars, is located in a Tokyo subway station. 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono serves an omakase tasting menu of 20 courses with Edomae-style sushi. Obama ate at this Tokyo gem with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe.
State Road, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.
Located in West Tisbury, State Road is a 60-seat eatery with a menu that focuses on local and organic products. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic with star-spotted crowds and an ever-changing menu. The Obamas have become regulars at Mary and Jack Kenworth’s State Road, dining there for the past six summers.
Red Rooster, New York City, New York, U.S.
This trendy eatery in Harlem by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson serves sophisticated soul food. When Red Rooster was new, back in March of 2011, the Obamas brought serious attention to the joint when they hosted a fundraising dinner there.
The Source, Washington, D.C., U.S.
This is another date spot for the Obamas. The Source is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant with mostly Asian fusion fare in a chic setting. It’s located in the Newseum, an interactive museum that promotes and defends free expression and the First Amendment. The Obamas went to Wolfgang’s restaurant for Michelle’s 47th birthday and had a menu prepared by chef Scott Drewno.
Ray’s Hell Burger, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Flickr/Obama White House/CC BY
Obama had a little bit of a reputation for taking people out for burgers and fries. Mainly former VP Joe Biden. Ray’s Hell Burger is a low-key spot for burgers, sandwiches and boozy shakes. Rumor has it the Arlington, VA, location (now closed) was one of Obama’s favorite places for a burger and he went a few times over the years. He apparently took Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Ray’s and ordered him a burger with cheddar, hot peppers, sauteed onions and mushrooms. While Obama’s favorite location is closed, there’s a D.C. spot if you’re in the area.
Il Mulino, New York City, New York, U.S.
The West Village hot spot Il Mulino serves regional Italian cuisine in a sleek space. The prices are extremely steep, but people can’t seem to stay away. A whole section of the village was blocked off so Obama and Bill Clinton could have lunch there.
Dooky Chase, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
A New Orleans staple, Dooky Chase, serves classic soul food with Creole influences. Soul food master, TV personality and author Leah Chase runs the show here. Known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” Leah is an advocate for African American art and Creole cooking. Obama made Dooky Chase a priority and ordered Chef Leah’s gumbo. He made the mistake of adding hot sauce to it and she had to quickly put him in his place. Pro tip: Don’t add hot sauce to a dish in front of the chef.
Liverpool House, Montreal, Canada
Post-presidency Obama paid a visit to Montreal, where he had dinner with Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister. The two discussed how young leaders can take action in their communities over some oysters and lobster spaghetti. This is Joe Beef’s popular sister restaurant that offers an oyster bar and comfort food.
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