Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

What it's like to eat dinner at the same restaurant as the Obamashttps://www.businessinsider.in/what-its-like-to-eat-dinner-at-the-same-restaurant-as-the-obamas/we-were-headed-to-cosme-in-new-yorks-flatiron-district-to-celebrate-our-first-wedding-anniversary-/slidelist/58302088.cms2017-04-21T20:31:08+05:30

What it's like to eat dinner at the same restaurant as the Obamas

Apr 21, 2017, 20:31 IST

We were headed to Cosme in New York's Flatiron District to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

We obviously had no idea going into this that the Obamas would be making an appearance.

I made the reservation exactly 30 days in advance, knowing that a table at the trendy Mexican restaurant is hard to come by. Since opening in 2014, Cosme has been one of the hottest restaurants in New York City.

The restaurant's most famous dish is its duck carnitas, pictured above. The dish features a half of a duck, braised for many hours, accompanied by homemade tortillas and house sauces.

We obviously had no idea going into this that the Obamas would be making an appearance.

The restaurant's most famous dish is its duck carnitas, pictured above. The dish features a half of a duck, braised for many hours, accompanied by homemade tortillas and house sauces.

Walking to the restaurant, I knew something was up.

But when I got to East 21st Street, the security was even more intense. It turned out the Obamas were eating at Cosme, too. After getting over the initial shock that we had chosen the same restaurant as the president, I began to worry we might not get in at all.

I pleaded with the cops until one let us through the police tape. We were handed off to a group of Secret Service officers who were guarding the restaurant.

This was definitely the most intense security check I've ever gone through. One officer checked my purse and sifted through everything in my wallet as well as my makeup case. A second officer ran a metal detector wand up and down my body.

On our way in, I got a glimpse of 'The Beast,' the president's armored limo.

When we finally sat down, around 7:40 p.m., the restaurant was buzzing. Everyone was talking about the Obamas, who had arrived about 15 minutes before us. They were seated in a private room, though, so we couldn't see them. Secret Service officers were everywhere.

Here's a photo of what a table looks like inside Cosme.

When we finally sat down, around 7:40 p.m., the restaurant was buzzing. Everyone was talking about the Obamas, who had arrived about 15 minutes before us. They were seated in a private room, though, so we couldn't see them. Secret Service officers were everywhere.

Here's a photo of what a table looks like inside Cosme.

According to Grub Street, the Obamas ordered tuna tostadas, burrata, lobster, short ribs, and the duck carnitas.

Source: Grub Street

The lobster with shiso, ginger mojo, and brown butter was one of my favorite dishes.

I knew we needed to stretch out our meal as long as possible if we were going to get a glimpse of the Obamas leaving. We took a long break between each course, and the carnitas kept us going for a while.

Finally, around 9:30 p.m., the Obamas emerged from a door in the back of the restaurant. Everyone, including servers and diners, stood up to applaud.

Next Story UConn's Paige Bueckers is an early favorite for ...

View All Latest