The Menu: President Shimon Peres' State Dinner For President Obama, Jerusalem

After protest from Palestinian chefs, the officially released menu does not include falafel and hummus...

President Shimon Peres bestowed the Medal of Distinction on President Obama during a State Dinner in his honor on Thursday night at the Israeli statesman's Jerusalem residence.  President Obama sat at the four-seat head table that faced the rest of the vast banquet hall, seated between President Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Mrs. Sara Netanyahu sat beside President Peres.  A FULL POST ABOUT THE DINNER IS HERE.  (Above, the Presidents during the Medal presentation)

The three-course menu starred fresh fish and Spring vegetables, anchored by a "fillet of beef and lamb chop duet" as the entree (yes, President Obama likes both meats).  After President Peres gave a moving speech as he awarded the Medal of Distinction, President Obama took the podium to toast his host.  He noted that Peres will turn 90 this summer, and then wished him "until 120!" in Hebrew.  After taking a sip of his wine, a glass of Flam Blanc 2012, President Obama said "mmmm, that's good wine." 

"We should probably get this out of the photograph," President Obama quipped.  "People will say I am having too much fun in Israel."

Palestinian chefs last week protested Peres' previously announced dinner menu, which was billed as "local Israeli cuisine," and included falafel balls and hummus.  The chefs called the menu a "flagrant Israeli attack on our culture" because they said falafel and hummus are Syrian and Palestinian in origin.  The protest caused a stir in Middle East media, and the official dinner menu released by President Peres' office on Thursday does not include falafel or hummus.

President Obama awarded President Peres the Medal of Freedom during a formal White House dinner in June of 2012.  Prime Minister Netanyahu hosted a dinner for President Obama on Wednesday night at his Jerusalem residence.

Guests at the dinner were members of the US and Israel diplomatic delegations, dignitaries and clergy, and Yityish Aynaw, 2013 Miss Israel.  They sat at round tables covered with white table clothes in the banquet hall, which was packed with aides and media. Floral arrangements were white tulips and lillies in clear glass vases.

*The transcript of the Presidents' remarks.

 

President Peres' State Dinner For President Obama

First

Mediterranean Sea Plate Trio

Seared Tuna, Ceviche, Tomato-based Tower 

in Galilee Olive Oil

Main
Fillet of Beef and Lamb Chop Duet 

On a Potato Tart

Zucchini Flower
Stuffed with Mushroom Medley and Beetroot Foam
 

Peppedio Pepper
With Cracked Wheat
 

Fresh Israeli Salad

Dessert
Spring Plate: Refreshing Fruit
 

Delightful Eclair
Madghul Date and Kadaiff Pastry in Raw Tahini
 
Assorted Israeli Sweets

Jerusalem-style infusions and Coffee

Wine
Flam, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - 2010

Flam, Blanc - 2012

##

Above, President Peres places the Medal of Distinction around President Obama's neck.

*President Obama's Thursday schedule and links to all post about his trip.

The Presidents' remarks:

*Photos by Office of President Peres