Obamas enjoy multicourse tasting menu

President Obama enjoyed a five- to seven-course tasting menu Wednesday night at a dinner in Honolulu with first lady Michelle Obama and 10 friends. 

The dinner at Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu comes as the president enjoys his annual holiday break in Hawaii, a vacation cut short by the fight over taxes with Republicans in Washington. 

The Obama's are regulars at Wong's — both gave head chef Wong a hug upon entering before being taken to their “traditional table,” which Wong describes as the “feng shui” seat in the house, according to the pool reports.

The Obamas were part of a group of 10, which included the president’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and the party ordered off a special tasting menu — a multi-course meal designed specifically by the chef.

“The Obama party had a special 5-course tasting menu for $75 a person, $105 per person with wine pairings for each course," according to the pool report. "Highlights include 'Sassey Salad' and bacon wrapped pork loin,” according to CNN’s Peter Morris, who was at the restaurant when the president arrived, according to the report.

Other diners generally didn't notice the president's arrival, the pool report said. 

The Obamas spent about three hours at the restaurant before returning to their rental at around 11 p.m.

Before the dinner, Obama hit the links, spending nearly seven hours at the Ko’olau Golf Club with Mike Ramos, Greg Orme and long-time friend Robert Titcomb, who earlier this year plead no contest to soliciting a prostitute in Honolulu.


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