Although we may be still considering what impact today’s events in the waters just off of Iran will have on our larger foreign policy agenda, the White House is continuing its hapless diplomatic strategy unabated.
Today, as the White House prepares for the Obamas’ eighth state dinner – a soire in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – the President had some kind words at a joing press conference, thanking Japan for all of its important contributions to world culture, including Karate, anime, emoji and karaoke.
President Barack Obama said Tuesday that, among other things, the arrival of Japan’s official delegation is an opportunity to celebrate the country’s cultural contributions to the United States, like karaoke and emojis.
“Today is also a chance for Americans, especially our young people, to say thank you for all the things we love from Japan. Like karate and karaoke,” Obama said to laughter during remarks at an arrival ceremony with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “Manga and anime. And, of course, emojis,” he added.
Thankfully, he stopped short of thanking them for Godzilla.
At any rate, the White House has already unveiled a new set of gorgeous state china ahead of the dinner, which will see its first service tonight. They’ve also unveiled the menu, which, instead of focusing on an American rendition of the traditional food of the country the White House is hosting (as is typical), the White House will skew towards more westernized fair (though they are providing chopsticks!).
The State Dinner honoring Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Tuesday night will commence with a sake welcome and include an American version of Japanese Wagyu beef, prized for its rich flavor. Helping execute the menu will be Japanese native Masaharu Morimoto of “Iron Chef” fame, whose dining outpost in Waikiki President Obama has frequented during several vacations to his native Hawaii.
The dinner will also feature an appetizers of toro tartare and a “Ceasar sashimi salad,” a vegetable consumme paying homage to the First Lady’s vegetable garden (featuring bok choy, bamboo shoots and hearts of palm, a bit of pineapple and a slice of Virgina ham). Dessert will be a soy milk-lightened tofu cheesecake (which, if you’ve never had it, is actually insanely delicious – far more so than you’d expect) served with Florida berries and honey from the White House bees. It will be followed by petit fours in flavors inspired by Japanese teas, served in teapots made of blown sugar.