Friday, May 21, 2010

The State Dinner for Mexico

Here are pictures and the toast for the State Dinner for the country of Mexico:


US President Barack Obama waves as he stands with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, his wife Margarita Zabala, and US First Lady Michelle Obama, as the Mexican President arrives at the White House May 19, 2010 for State Dinner ceremonies, at the White House in Washington, DC.
----PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images


WASHINGTON - MAY 19: First Lady Michelle Obama and her husband U.S President Barack Obama wait for Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala to arrive for the State Dinner at the White House on May 19, 2010 in Washington, DC. President Obama welcomed President Calderon to the White House today for an official state visit that is taking place amid tension over immigration politics and Mexico's deadly drug war.
---- Mark Wilson/Getty Images

REST OF POST INSIDE (with video)









The party and entertainment tent on the South Lawn of the White House awaits the guests for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wait to welcome Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala, at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
----AP Photo/Charles Dharapak


Speed skater Shani Davis arrives for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., and Dennis Rivera arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbar


First Lady Michelle Obama, left, and Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala, right, walk to the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
----AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais


Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., and Carolina Reyes arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Entertainer Whoopi Goldberg and Thomas Leonardis arrive for the State Dinner in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Sam Sayyad arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, N.J., and Gayle King arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Giselle Fernandez arrives for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


New Jersey Jets' Mark Sanchez, right, and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi arrive for the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the White House in Washington.
----AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari


White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon, left, and White House Social Secretary Julianna Smoot watch as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama host Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Mexico's first lady Margarita Zavala for the State Dinner at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
---AP Photo/Charles Dharapak


US President Barack Obama waves as he stands with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, his wife Margarita Zabala, and US First Lady Michelle Obama, as the Mexican President arrives at the White House May 19, 2010 for State Dinner ceremonies, at the White House in Washington, DC.
----PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images


First Lady Michelle Obama brushes off the tuxedo of U.S. President Barack Obama as they await the arrival of Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the North Portico for a state dinner in their honor at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Jim Bourg


Actor and comedian George Lopez and his wife Ann arrive for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Bianna Golodryga arrive for the State Dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington on May 19, 2010. ----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


Actress Eva Longoria arrives for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Mexican President Felipe Calderon descend the grand staircase prior to a state dinner in Calderon's honor at the White House in Washington, May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst


Chairman and CEO of American Express Kenneth Chenault and his wife Kathryn arrive for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010. ----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and his sister Vesta Richardson arrive for the State Dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington on May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts


US Trade Representitive Ron Kirk with Ms. Elizabeth Kirk arrives for the State Dinner in honor of the visiting Mexican President on May 19, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC.
----TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images


US First Lady Michelle Obama and her Mexican counterpart Margarita Zavala walk away after posing for pictures at the White House before a state dinner in Washington on May 19, 2010.
---NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images


US President Barack Obama addresses the state dinner for Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon at the White House in Washington on May 19, 2010.
----NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images


US First Lady Michelle Obama raises her glass in a toast at a state dinner in honor of President of Mexico Felipe Calderon (2nd L) at the White House in Washington, May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst


A place setting is laid for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House in Washington May 19, 2010.
----REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

And the menu itself:

Jicama with Oranges, Grapefruit, and Pineapple
Citrus Vinaigrette
Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 "Russian River"

Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah
Sesame-Cilantro Cracker

Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole
Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans
Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 "Selección Rebecca"

Chocolate-Cajeta Tart
Toasted Homemade Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream
Mumm Napa "Carlos Santana Brut" N/V