Parsing The First Grandma's Dining Adventures

Mrs. Marian Robinson enjoys everything from State Dinners to private White House potlucks, and is a fan of DC's restaurant scene... 
First Lady Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, flies under the radar and lives a pretty regular life despite the fact that her son-in-law is Leader of the Free World. Mrs. Robinson sails out of the White House gates unrecognized, and her private life includes plenty of eating action that's like that enjoyed by Grandmas everywhere: Hosting dinner parties, visiting restaurants, and--something anyone in a big family can relate to--occasionally skipping family dinners, reports Politico in a new feature story. On the other hand, Mrs. Robinson also attends President Obama's State Dinners: She was a guest at the May 2010 State Dinner for Mexico's President Felipe Calderón. In January of this year, Mrs. Robinson attended the reception following the State Dinner for China's President Hu Jintao. (Above: Mrs. Robinson, at right, looks on the President and First Lady introduce daughter Sasha to President Hu)

President Obama has described Mrs. Robinson as "quite the lady about town.” She's one of the few mothers-in-law to actually live longterm at the White House.

"Robinson, 74, has forged new friendships with locals, dined in the city’s eateries and even appeared alongside Education Secretary Arne Duncan to read to young children as part of “Let’s Read, Let’s Move,” one of her daughter’s cherished causes," Politico reports. (Above: In a rare media outing, Mrs. Robinson appeared with Mrs. Obama in a cover story for Essence magazine in 2009)

While Mrs. Robinson does plenty of the hands-on childcare for Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10--she helps with homework and drives them to school at Sidwell Friends each day--she doesn't always share in the First Family's meals.

"At the White House, Robinson is careful to give the rest of the family some space. She does not always join the Obamas for dinner," Politico notes.

In fact, Mrs. Robinson, who grew up on Chicago's South Side, throws her own dinner parties at the White House, a tradition she started back in the Windy City. One of her closest new friends in DC is Betty Currie, who was personal secretary to President Bill Clinton.

"She likes hosting friends and has continued her Chicago potluck dinners for guests at the White House," Politico notes.

Mrs. Robinson's best friend from Chicago, Eleanor 'Mama Kaye' Wilson, is a frequent guest at the White House, and joins the potlucks when she's in town. Wilson is Godmother to Malia and Sasha. In 2010, the White House released a recipe for Salmon Croquettes that was created by Wilson, and identified it as an "Obama Family favorite."

Some favorite DC eateries...
Noted among Mrs. Robinson's DC dining excursions are visits to chef Art Smith's Art and Soul restaurant, which specializes in Southern comfort food, and chef Todd Gray's Equinox, which is just two blocks from the White House. Both chefs have been guest chefs at the White House, and are big supporters of the Let's Move! campaign, especially the Chefs Move to Schools project.

The President and Mrs. Obama had their first Washington Date Night at Equinox, and the First Lady's most recent publicly known dining excursion there was in March, for a Ladies' Luncheon in honor of Mexico's First Lady Margarita Zavala.  Equinox has a delicious menu of inspired American dishes, sourced locally and sustainably.

The President and Mrs. Obama visited Smith's Table 52 restaurant in Chicago for their first Presidential Valentine's Day. Both Smith and Mrs. Robinson were readers on the Storytime Stage at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.

International gastronomy...
Mrs. Robinson accompanied the First Lady on a weeklong trip to Africa in June, and was present for the traveling group's private dinner at Mokolodi Restaurant, at the Mokolodi Game Preserve in Botswana. She has also traveled to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador with the First Family. (Above: Before dinner, Reserve representative Ian Kirby (r) explained the Preserve's work to Mrs. Obama and her party; Mrs. Robinson is at left)

The First Grandma also has a taste for gambling, something that pre-dates the White House, notes Politico. She takes jaunts to Las Vegas--which President Obama has noted in public remarks. So perhaps Mrs. Robinson is hitting the legendary all-you-can-eat Vegas buffets, and enjoying 18 ounce steaks for $5.99...

*Top photo by Pete Souza/White House; Photo of Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Robinson from Essence magazine; Africa photo by US Embassy/Botswana

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President Obama Celebrates 50th Birthday Today; Herbie Hancock Will Play At White House Party

President will celebrate his milestone privately with family and friends...
UPDATE: A full party post is here
UPDATE: More party details here
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4th, 1961, President Obama marks his 50th birthday today. He has no public events scheduled, and will celebrate his milestone privately at the White House with family and friends, after spending Wednesday night in Chicago at a huge campaign fundraiser/birthday bash. The President's private party is reportedly going to take place in the Rose Garden, and Jazz great Herbie Hancock and his ensemble will perform, Obama Foodorama has learned. The group performed at the fundraiser, too. Daughter Malia will return from summer camp for the celebration, President Obama said last night. (Above: President Obama lights birthday candles with Oval Office valet Raymond Rogers; inset as a child with his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham)

Hancock and company are now apparently the White House "house band"--A pianist and composer, Hancock tickled the ivories at President Obama's reception following the State Dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu Jintao, in January of this year. The Obama daughters' godmother, Eleanor "Mama Kaye" Wilson, accompanied the President back to Washington aboard Air Force One last night, as did his mother-in-law, Mrs. Marian Robinson, so they're likely guests at the party, of course, but no guest list has been released. The President's staff will throw him a smaller party today, too. (Above: Hancock and the President on Wednesday night)

"It’s true that I turn 50 tomorrow--which means that by the time I wake up, I’ll have an email from AARP-- asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare," Mr. Obama joked to the donors at his fundraiser. He was serenaded by superstar Jennifer Hudson in addition to Hancock and Chicago band OK GO. Former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel introduced the President, who gave two different speeches, as well as spoke to supporters during a video teleconference that was beamed across the US to Obama Birthday House Parties.

Presidential birthday wishes already came true...
In July, the President said he hoped for two birthday gifts: A debt deal and "a good hamburger."

"You know, maybe I'll have a good hamburger on my birthday," President Obama told NPR, after noting that the best present of all would be a debt ceiling deal with Congress.

"That's kind of sad, I know," the President admitted.

Mission accomplished on both fronts: The President signed the debt deal into law on Tuesday, and on Wednesday treated his White House economic team to burgers at DC's Good Stuff Eatery.

Presidential birthdays past...
The President's previous White House birthday celebrations have been private, too. Last year, he celebrated with family and friends at the White House during a belated birthday BBQ on August 8th, because First Lady Obama and daughter Sasha were on vacation in Spain on August 4th. The stag President had a small birthday dinner at graham elliot restaurant on August 4th in Chicago, joined by a group of friends that included Oprah Winfrey. (Above: The President hugs Sasha at his birthday BBQ; she had arrived with her mother just as it began)

The BBQ was notable because it kicked off a months-long White House campaign to encourage America to eat Gulf seafood, after the fishing industry was devastated by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the worst environmental disaster in US history. Gulf shrimp was the lone menu item the White House announced for the President's birthday BBQ.

In 2009, the President had a small birthday celebration at the White House, which featured five kinds of pie, courtesy of executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, aka "The Crustmaster." The celebration pies: Huckleberry, Apple, Coconut Creme, Key Lime, and Peach. (Above: Mrs. Obama and Malia look on as the President reads a card from Sasha. The White House chefs, including Yosses, are in the background; then-Social Secretary Desiree Rogers is at right)

*Photos by Pete Souza/White House; in top photo President Obama was presenting NSC Chief of Staff Denis McDonough with the cake, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 2, 2009. Hudson photo by AP.

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