The Obamas laid on a pared-down banquet last night featuring salad from the White House gardens. In a possibly subliminal reference to the special, but unequal, relationship with Britain, the theme of the night was “America’s backyard”.
The State Dinner took place in a marquee with a 150ft glass wall which forced the guests to experience the perfectly manicured South Lawn. Inside, florists inspired by the English passion for landscape gardens had installed a colourful range of floral borders.
The golfer Rory McIlroy, Sir Richard Branson and the actor Hugh Bonneville were among the diners. The main course, Bison Wellington, was billed as “a perfect pairing of US and UK cultures” with the beef inside the traditional British pastry replaced by buffalo tenderloin, a staple of the American Midwest.
Michelle Obama said it was a miracle that staff were able to prepare such a feast given the cramped facilities. “The White House is a big place, but the kitchen is really teeny,” she said.
The menu
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First course Crisped halibut with potato crust, served on a bed of braised baby kale from the White House garden, shaved Brussels sprouts and micro cabbage sprouts with a hint of applewood smoke bacon from a local smokehouse.
Salad course Spring garden lettuces with shallot dressing and shaved radish, cucumbers and avocados.
Main Bison Wellington, using buffalo tenderloin, red wine reduction, French beans, cipollini onion.
Dessert Warm Meyer steamed lemon pudding with Idaho huckleberry sauce with Newtown pippin apples.