January 20, 2017 - Inauguration Day 2017 & Presidential Eats

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 83 DAYS

U.S. Presidents Favorite Foods

Good morning!  

​Today, the 45th President of the United States of America will be sworn in on this, the 58th U.S. Presidential Inauguration Day.

I'm sure you know how much Tanya and I revel in anything historical, so with today being an historic day, we are quite enthusiastic!

For events like these, its not really about political affiliation or views, it's a day to just witness history in the making and take it all in.

My routine on Inauguration Day, every four years is to set the time aside to be front and center watching the events on television (or these days, it's possible to be in front of one's computer or mobile device!) and observe the event.

Tanya and I were thinking about how to combine this historic day and event with the fact that it's Foodie Friday here on Travelin' Cousins.  

And being the clever and creative gals that we are, we arrived at something that we hope you will enjoy.

Have you ever thought about the fact that all of our presidents have something in common with everyone -- they all eat!!

Each president also has and has had their favorite foods and dining establishments.  So, today we will give you some insight into 17 of our U.S. Presidents from a culinary standpoint.

I will be covering their favorite foods and drink as well as the Inauguration Day Lunch Menu today, and Tanya is going to share with you, the favorite restaurants for 5 of our Commanders in Chief.

So, let's get started...
Things have been underway for a number of weeks now for the big event today in Washington D.C. and according to the New York Times, the festivities officially began yesterday - Thursday afternoon).

Preparations at the United States Capitol for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration. Credit Al (credit: Drago/The New York Times)

The schedule was as follows:  

3 p.m. | Wreath-laying ceremony 
Mr. Trump began his public schedule with an inaugural tradition: laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the nation’s fallen soldiers.

4 p.m. | “Make America Great Again!” welcome celebration.
After delivering a few brief remarks outside the Lincoln Memorial, Mr. Trump, officially kicked off the inaugural events.  The speech was followed by a free concert in Washington. Performers included Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down and more.

7:30 p.m. | Candlelight dinner 
Mr. Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and their families enjoyed a candlelight dinner at Washington’s Union Station to thank donors at the inauguration.

Wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday afternoon (credit: foxnews.com)

As for today,  Inauguration Day begins with quiet prayer and will end with the president dancing his way across the capital.

This is what the day will look like if you plan on following along:

Early morning | Private family breakfast 
If tradition holds, the Trumps and their invited guests will share a private breakfast at Blair House, the president’s guesthouse. They are expected to stay the night there Thursday into Friday.

8:30 a.m. | Private prayer service 
The president-elect and his family will attend a religious service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, just a short walk from Blair House.

9:30 a.m. | Coffee date at the White House 
The incoming and departing presidents will meet at the White House with their wives. As is customary, Mr. Trump and Mr. Obama will then ride together down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.

11:30 a.m. | Swearing-in ceremony 
With American officials and other dignitaries gathered on the West Front of the Capitol, the official inauguration ceremony will feature religious leaders with ties to Mr. Trump, remarks from Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, the chairman of the congressional inaugural committee, and musical performances by

Around noon | Oath of office and inaugural address 
Chief Justice John G. Roberts will administer the oath of office as Mr. Trump rests his hand on two Bibles: one he’s owned since childhood and the Lincoln Bible. Mr. Trump will then deliver his speech.

Sometime after noon | The Obamas depart 
With Mr. Trump installed as president, the Obamas will bid farewell and depart from the East Front of the Capitol.

Early afternoon | Luncheon 
The luncheon, held for government leaders and friends in the Capitol Rotunda, will feature musical performances, an elaborate menu and remarks to honor the new president and vice president.

​*******************

​Inauguration Day Luncheon 
Hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). this tradition dates as far back as 1897.

Menu
3-Course "Surf & Turf" Inspired Meal
Maine lobster and Gulf shrimp in a saffron sauce Virginia beef with a dark chocolate and juniper jus with potato gratin

Chocolate soufflé with cherry vanilla ice cream  Each dish is paired with a specific wine or champagne

​*******************

After lunch | Review of Armed Forces 
Mr. Trump will review the American armed forces from the East Front of the Capitol after lunch.

Thereafter | Inaugural parade 
Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence will lead the parade from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue, with thousands of military personnel representing each branch. Once he has arrived at the White House, Mr. Trump will watch the rest of the parade from a reviewing stand there.

7 p.m. and on | Inaugural balls 
There will be two official inaugural balls, held on separate floors of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, as well as the Armed Services Ball, which will be held at the National Building Museum. Mr. Trump is expected to make remarks and take to the dance floor at all three.


Wow - that is a full two days!!!

And here is the list promised - 

10 U.S. Presidents' Favorite Food & Drink

According to fristwefeast.com, take a look at the food and drink from which our Commanders in Chief derived culinary pleasure! 


​1. Barack Obama
Fran’s Smoked Salt Caramels

​2. Ronald Reagan
Jelly Beans

​3. Richard Nixon
Cottage Cheese and Ketchup

​4. John F. Kennedy
New England Clam Chowder

​5. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

6. Theodore Roosevelt
Chicken and white gravy

​7. Andrew Jackson
Cheese

​8. Thomas Jefferson
Wine

​9. John Adams
Cider

​10. George Washington
Nuts

And speaking of restaurants, check out this great article from Raly.com with a list of the Best Food in New York City under $10!
​I didn't think it was possible, but apparently, it is!

As for me, I made a wonderful banana bread to munch on while I sit comfortably watching Donald J. Trump be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America!

MY HOMEMADE BANANA BREAD (c)travelincousins.com

See ya back here tomorrow as we go "Trekking."

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 17 DAYS

U.S Presidents Favorite Restaurants

Hello guys and gals!

I'm sorry that I'm coming to the party a bit late. I was busy watching the Inauguration of our 45th President of the United States.

BTW - Didn't our new first lady Melania Trump look stunning?

Credit: MercuryNews.com

    Think BIG and Dream BIGGER!

​Whether or not if you are a Trump supporter, you must agree that there are powerful words and words that I for one believe in and choose to live by!

While watching the Inauguration and the changing of guard or changing of power, I heard a story that really had me cracking up!!!

It's a story that I think I've heard before, but for some reason this morning it had really just tickled my funny bone...It had to do with when Andrew Jackson was making the transition and leaving the White House - well I know that there is more than a considerable amount of false (fake) news out there, so of course I wanted to do some research and in doing so I actually did not find anything that matched with what the report I heard on TV had suggested that Andrew Jackson had destroyed much of the China and other valuables belonging to the White House - rather the story actually was that:

For the Inauguration on March 4, 1829*, when Andrew Jackson’s open house "party" sparked a mob scene that almost destroyed the president’s house. 
The party was so big that the courageous, battle-tested President Jackson fled the scene (out a back door or through a window) as a huge crowd drank heavily, destroyed furniture and china, and even ground cheese into the carpets with their boots on the White House carpet. EWWW

It was only the promise of more free liquor drew the rabble out of the executive mansion.

That’s the popular myth surrounding the open house at the White House on that inauguration day in 1829, and while key parts seem true (based on contemporary accounts), the “wildness” part could be exaggerated.

DID YOU KNOW: The first inauguration, that of George Washington, took place on April 30, 1789. All subsequent (regular) inaugurations from 1793 until 1933, were held on March 4, the day of the year on which the federal government began operations under the U.S. Constitution in 1789. The exception to this pattern being those years in when March 4 fell on a Sunday. When it did, the public inauguration ceremony would take place on Monday, March 5. This happened on four occasions, in: 1821, 1849, 1877, and 1917. Inauguration Day moved to January 20, beginning in 1937, following ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, where it has remained since. A similar Sunday exception and move to Monday is made around this date as well (which happened in 1957, 1985, and 2013). Credit: Wiki

MEANWHILE WHAT I REALLY FOUND INTERESTING WAS:
While searching for the truth one thing that I did find ALL OVER THE PLACE and had either not paid attention at the time or had simply forgotten was that when the CLINTON'S left Washington in 2001 at the end of President Bill Clinton’s second term, they seemed to take a lot of things with them.

The problem was, they took some things they should have left behind!

After leaving the White House, Hillary was forced to return White House china, furniture and artwork that she had stolen...Despite the fact that they were legally banned from taking gifts over $50.

“[The Clintons’] financial-disclosure forms revealed that they walked away with $190,027 worth of furniture, china, flatware, art, and other gifts, nearly half of it acquired in their final year. It also turned out that they took some property that actually belonged to the permanent White House collection.”

​WOW! I'm not gonna say anything else. Just WOW!

Well let's get on with things. As Elisa has explained in her column today here on Travelin' Cousins is that we are sticking with our theme of FOODIE FRIDAY and sharing with you some most interesting SCOOP all about The Presidents and their favorite foods and favorite restaurants!

While Elisa has tackled some of the favorite foods, I'm going to share with you some favorite restaurants...

5 U.S. Presidents' Favorite Restaurants
1. Donald Trump

The Ivy
His Favorite West Coast Dining - "There’s a beautiful outdoor terrace, though I usually sit inside." 

113 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (310)274-8303; dinner for two $100

2. Barack Obama

Spiaggia
This upscale restaurant, which is located at the head of the Magnificent Mile, was the Obama restaurant pick the Saturday night after Barack Obama won his bid to become President of the United States. Not a surprise they chose it as this elegant mainstay has hosted many couples' celebrations over the years.

980 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. (312)280-2750. Reservations required. 

3. George W. Bush

The Fonda San Miguel 
A fine Mexican restaurant serving concoctions from central Mexico.
Bush's favorite dish--Enchiladas suizas. 
The green ceiling and pressed-tin chandeliers that look like gold bird cages give the restaurant a subtle, romantic ambiance. 

2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX. (512)459-4121

​​4. George Washington

Gadsby Tavern Inn 
Not only was this Alexandria restaurant a favorite of George Washington, the tavern played host to the first five presidents, according to Visit Alexandria.

According to the Gadsby Tavern Museum, George Washington attended two annual Birthnight Balls there that were held in his honor. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and the Marquis de Lafayette all visited the tavern. Today, you can visit the museum or have a meal at Gadsby's Tavern, which serves classic American fare like burgers, peanut soup and a dish called "George Washington's favorite" with grilled duck breast, scalloped potatoes and corn pudding.

138 N. Royal Street., Alexandria, VA (703)548-1288

​​5. Ronald Reagan

Positano Ristorante Italiano 
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan were regulars at Positano Ristorante Italiano. Owned and operated by the Traettino family since 1977 in Bethesda, MD outside Washington, DC. Positano is a full-service Italian restaurant serving lunch and dinner seven days per week, each week, all year.

4948-4940 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, MD. (301)654-1717

​

Well folks its a rainy rainy day here in SoCal - it's really pouring cats and dogs out there...And I'm lovin' it!

I've gotta tell you that the excitement is really building and I've been working diligently at finalizing all of the travel plans/itinerary for our up coming trip. I was working on all of our food plans and dining reservations yesterday.

And I'll probably do some more here today!

We'll catch you back here tomorrow.

Toodles,
​-T