The menu for the evening was mostly Italian, with a few American touches. The meal began with hors d’oeuvres of spring vegetables with compressed eggplant and tomato garlic crostini. For the first course, guests were served sweet potato agnolotti with butter and sage. The pasta dish was followed by pan-seared branzino, a Mediterranean fish served with cipollini onions, roasted fennel, and tomato fonduta.
The main course was braised beef short ribs, which had been cooked for four hours in red wine and were served with celeriac puree and heirloom carrots. The dessert course featured a sweet tartlet with a blend of chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, and sweet cream, aptly named the “ano.”
Throughout the dinner, the guests enjoyed a selection of Italian wines, including a 2014 Barbera d’Alba Superiore from the Piedmont region of Italy and a 2010 Brunello di Montalcino from the Tuscany region.
The dinner was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, and several members of Congress. Also in attendance were notable Italians living in the United States, including fashion designer Giorgio Armani and chef Mario Batali.
The White House was tastefully decorated for the dinner, with a red, white, and green color scheme to represent the Italian flag. Renzi and his wife were seated at the head table with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, while other guests were seated at smaller tables throughout the room.
In his toast to the Italian Prime Minister, President Obama praised Renzi’s leadership and emphasized the strong relationship between the United States and Italy. He also spoke of Italy’s rich history and cultural contributions to the world.
In response, Renzi thanked President Obama and praised the United States for its support of Italy in times of hardship, including after the devastating earthquakes that struck central Italy in August and October 2016. He also spoke of the importance of the relationship between Italy and the United States, particularly in the face of global challenges such as terrorism and the refugee crisis.
Overall, the dinner at the White House with an Italian menu for Obama and Renzi was a successful and memorable evening. The choice of Italian food was a nod to Renzi’s heritage and a recognition of the many contributions made by the Italian people to American culture. The guest list was filled with notable figures from both Italy and the United States, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries. This dinner serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and the role that food can play in bringing people together.