Friday, December 4, 2009

Crash the 'State Dinner'—at White C-House

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(Photo: C-House)


You won't even have to get all dolled up in a sari or tux, front like you're on the guest list or show up with a camera crew to get into this State Dinner-inspired supper that got a Washington, D.C. couple in hot water.

Marcus Samuelsson created the menu for the infamous first-ever dinner of the Obama White House, and now you too can indulge at C-House, his restaurant at the Affinia Hotel.

The restaurant's Executive Chef Nicole Pederson and Pastry Chef Toni Roberts, who cooked alongside Samuelsson and the White House team, will re-create the Indian American-focused menu for guests on Dec. 9.

It's $54 per person (with an additional $20 for wine pairings), but Tareq and Michaele Salahi are not included.

Here's what you'll eat:

1st Course

Potato and Eggplant Salad with arugula, onion seed vinaigrette

2008 Modus Operandi, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley California

2nd Course

Red Lentil Soup with apples, fresh cheese

2006 Brooks Winery, "Ara," Willamette Valley Oregon

Entrée

Green Curry Prawns with caramelized salsify, smoked collard greens and coconut aged basmati

2007 Beckmen Vineyards, Grenache, Santa Ynez California

Dessert

Pumpkin Pie Tart & Pear Tarte Tatin

NV Thibaut-Janisson, Brut

Reservations strongly recommended.

Rick Bayless Serves Up Street Food at Ketel One Canteen

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New York chef Michael Psilakis holding down the Ketel One Canteen. (Photo: Ketel One)


More Rick Bayless news:

We're warning you now that if you're not crazy about big crowds, you'd better stay far away from that little park on Rush Street at Bellevue and Cedar next week.

That's because Bayless's setting up shop midnight-2am Dec. 10-12 for the first-ever celebrity chef-helmed Ketel One Canteen, which will be giving out free food to anyone who finds out about it.

Considering that Bayless's Xoco is all about "Mexican street food" this totally makes sense, and the stuff you'll get sounds absolutely amazing.

Epicurious snagged the menu:

Pork Tinga Tacos - Shredded pork, guacamole and queso fresco cheese served in a soft taco

Roasted Poblano and Potato Tacos - Roasted poblano peppers, Yukon gold potatoes and roasted tomatillo salsa served in a soft taco

Black Bean and Chorizo Tortas - Chorizo sausage, black beans, avocado and salsa served on a crusty roll

Black Bean, Caramelized Onions and Beef Tortas - Black beans, caramelized onions, shredded beef and queso fresco cheese served on a crusty roll


In addition to free food, Ketel One will be offering free rides home (to promote responsible drinking over the holidays).

We're always down for that . . .

UPDATE: Bayless's menu is on tap, but he will not be there. Oh well!