What do Michelle Kwan and poached lobster have in common?

They were both hanging out at the White House last night!

Maybe the excitement is magnified, living in D.C. and getting much of my non-radio news from the Washington Post. But I've been incredibly fascinated, lately, by the exciting whirlwind of policy, diplomacy, and celebration that comes with official State Dinners.

The Post had an extensive feature on the dinner to honor India's president last year - the first of the Obama era.  Coverage ranged from discussion on the implications of selecting India as the first nation to be recognized to which set of presidential china would adorn the tables to who would be performing as entertainment.  It's not often that D.C. gets all worked up over a star-studded red carpet event, preferring to focus instead on wonky, inside-the-Beltway fireworks, such as clever legislative maneuvering and press conference snafus.

State Dinners are also a nice excuse to showcase the feel-good side of international relations that appeals so much to me, with luminaries from each country toasting to mutual success and prosperity.  That was the case at last night's affair for Chinese president Hu Jintao.

Perhaps it says something about me, that I prefer to dwell on the lighter aspects of the visit.  That, even in light of Hu's momentous earlier admission that, "A lot still needs to be done in China, in terms of human rights," what I was most excited to read about this morning was the evening's menu.  You have to admit, though, that even the opening course is enough to get you salivating: "D'Anjou pear salad with Farmstead goat cheese, Fennel, Black Walnuts, and White Balsamic."  And all complemented by fresh herbs from the White House garden...