Quail eggs on Hollande, Obama dinner menu
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome French President Francois Hollande as he arrives for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2014. Photo/AFP
What you need to know:
- Both sides marvelled that their 200-year-old alliance -- for a while poisoned by a dispute over the 2003 Iraq war -- is now thriving.
- The new partnership was on display as Hollande's limousine swept under the North Portico of the White House on a chilly Washington night.
- On the menu was American caviar, quail eggs, rib-eye steak, and Vermont blue cheese, washed down with a selection of American wines, along with music by Mary J. Blige, who sang a few lines from Jacques Brel's "Ne me quitte pas."
Barack Obama praised France's President Francois Hollande as a leader of "courage" Tuesday, and wined and dined his solo guest at a lavish state dinner.
Hollande, caught in a scandal over his messy split with partner Valerie Trierweiler, has seen his approval ratings plummet to rock bottom at home over his failure to restore economic prosperity.
But he relished centre stage at the White House, as President Obama praised his resolve in tackling extremism in Africa and a nuclear challenge from Iran.
Both sides marveled that their 200-year-old alliance -- for a while poisoned by a dispute over the 2003 Iraq war -- is now thriving.
"This level of partnership across so many areas would have been unimaginable even a decade ago," Obama said.
"But it's a testament to how our two nations have worked to transform our alliance."
Hollande said that common founding values of liberty meant France and the United States could act together for global security.
"We want to be together again," he said.
NEW PARTNERSHIP
The new partnership was on display as Hollande's limousine swept under the North Portico of the White House on a chilly Washington night.
Obama stood waiting in a sharp tuxedo, while his wife Michelle was resplendent in a sumptuous gown, with a black bodice and flowing periwinkle skirt designed by Carolina Herrera.
Stars of culture, business and politics greeted Hollande in the plush marquee set up on the White House grounds.
Guests included actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus, star of HBO show political satire "Veep," Bradley Cooper, both of whom speak fluent French; and basketball star Jason Collins, who recently came out as gay.
Hollande sat at the top table between Obama and the First Lady.
His split with Trierweiler, after revelations of an affair with an actress, prompted some hurried juggling by the White House social office.
Raising a toast to his guest, Obama said "Vive La France, God bless America, and long live the alliance between our great nations."
Hollande returned the favour, joking: "We love the United States and you love the French, although you're sometimes too shy to say so."
On the menu was American caviar, quail eggs, rib-eye steak, and Vermont blue cheese, washed down with a selection of American wines, along with music by Mary J. Blige, who sang a few lines from Jacques Brel's "Ne me quitte pas."
