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President Obama's pledge to embrace the capital's social life and dine out more often - The Hill

February 4, 2009

Featured in- The Hill

Posted: 02/03/09 04:44 PM [ET]

By Albert Eisele

President Obama’s pledge to embrace the capital’s social life and dine out more often may prove to be a boon for some Washington-area restaurants, but it’s come too late to save several well-known eateries from succumbing to economic indigestion.

“There’s more optimism than you might think,” said Breaux, noting that Obama has already graced several restaurants with his presence, including visiting Ben’s Chili Bowl with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty; celebrating his wife’s 45th birthday at Todd Gray’s Equinox at Farragut Square; and attending a cocktail reception for new members of Congress and the Chicago press corps at Bobby Van’s Grill on New York Avenue.

And while Obama didn’t take his meals in the LaFayette Restaurant while staying at the Hay-Adams Hotel before his inauguration, he and his family were served up some of the best room-service food in town from the kitchen of Executive Chef Peter Shaffrath.

“President Obama’s embrace of Washington has definitely been good for Washington restaurants,” said Breaux. “While the numbers remain pretty constant as far as closures and openings, there are a lot of success stories.”

Breaux cites the fact that two of the area’s most exalted chefs, Jonathan Krinn and Ris Lacoste, are about to open new restaurants. Click here to download the full article