A spring-themed menu inspired by American and Japanese cuisine and décor reminiscent of a koi pond are the hallmarks of Wednesday night's White House State Dinner. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida And his wife.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are honoring the longstanding alliance between Japan and the United States with a rare and time-honored tradition of state dinners that incorporate the traditions of both countries.
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who counts the first lady and prime minister as fans, will also perform. Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Robert De Niro and billionaire Jeff Bezos are also on the guest list.
Theme and decoration
The theme is “Spring Celebration,” which symbolizes the friendship between the two countries. The garden is filled with flowers unique to Ryogoku, such as sweet peas, peonies, and hydrangeas. Glass and silk butterflies also appear on the table.
The focal point of the dinner décor is the floor, which makes it look like guests are walking on a koi pond filled with water lilies and cherry blossoms. The colors green, blue and pink are central to the theme, with green representing growing friendships, blue representing stability and security, and pink representing the essence of spring.
menu
The heart of any great state dinner is the food. Guests will be served a first course of homemade cured salmon, the White House said. Avocado, red grapefruit, watermelon radish, and cucumber salad. And perilla fritters.
The main course is dry-aged ribeye steak with shishito pepper butter, fava beans, morel mushrooms, cipollini, and sesame oil sabayon.
Desserts include salted caramel pistachio cake and matcha ganache. And ice cream – cherry ice cream with raspberry drizzle.
The evening's wines are from Oregon and Washington.
guest
The guest list was exclusive, from Hollywood celebrities to billionaires and key political allies.
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a political reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, DC.