Inauguration 2013: When in Washington, eat like the Obamas

If you’re looking for Washington’s hottest restaurants, you’d do well to take your cues from the commander in chief. Since 2009, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have hit the local restaurant scene as if it were the campaign trail, making well-documented visits to burger joints and pizzerias, high-end restaurants and Georgetown Cupcake.

While the first couple can certainly do highbrow, if there’s one defining foodstuff of this administration, it’s a cheddar cheeseburger, which the president has ordered at restaurants across the area. The more daring eater might be the first lady, who sought out Indian at the four-star Rasika and hipster sushi at Sticky Rice. The Obamas have made multiple trips to Alexandria and the District’s funky, developing H Street NE corridor, but they’ve rarely ventured to Maryland.

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Here are some highlights of the Obamas’ culinary journey through the area. Go to goingout guide.com for a photo gallery of more than 40 restaurants that have served the first family.

DATE NIGHTS

When the president and first lady celebrate, they do it at some of the city’s most well-reviewed fine-dining restaurants, such as Komi or Citronelle (currently closed for renovations).

Bourbon Steak

The Obamas’ 20th wedding anniversary fell on Oct. 3, 2012, the same date as the first presidential debate. When they celebrated a few nights later, they chose this tony steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, where the menu includes Wagyu beef steaks and lobster pot pie.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-944-2026.
www.bourbonsteakdc.com.

Vermilion

The luxe, red hues inside this three-star Old Town Alexandria American restaurant created an ideal environment for the couple’s Valentine’s Day dinner last year. Follow the Obamas’ lead and order one of pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac’s desserts; they chose a chocolate truffle tart served with cacao nib ice cream.

1120 King St., Alexandria.
703-684-9669.
www.vermilionrestaurant.com.

WORKING DINNERS

Last year, Obama’s reelection campaign launched a contest for donors who gave as little as $3 to land an invite to “Dinner With Barack.” The winners not only got to eat with the president, they also got meals at some fine restaurants.

Lincoln

Obama took four contest winners to this presidential-themed restaurant for lunch in June 2012. It was an appropriate choice, considering the president has frequently cited President Abraham Lincoln as one of his heroes (he took the oath of office in 2009 using Lincoln’s bible), and the downtown restaurant features art of the 16th president and a wall inscribed with the Emancipation Proclamation. What drew more buzz was Obama’s trendy starter: a kale salad.

1110 Vermont Ave. NW.
202-386-9200.
www.lincolnrestaurant-dc.com.

Mintwood Place

The first lady joined her husband and campaign supporters for dinner at this three-star French-American bistro in Adams Morgan. Though Chef Cedric Maupillier’s menu includes frogs’ legs and a beet “mountain pie,” from photos, it appears the president had a cheeseburger.