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Whitney Filloon: President Obama Just Had Dinner With Anthony Bourdain
In case Barack Obama hadn’t already secured his place in history as the Coolest President, this should do it: Tonight, POTUS is dining with Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi. What will the dynamic duo’s dinner conversation entail, and more importantly, what will they feast upon? According to the Wall Street Journal’s White House correspondent Carol Lee, they’ll be eating at a restaurant called Bún chả Hương Liên. (Bún chả is a traditional dish hailing from Hanoi that consists of grilled pork served in a broth or dipping sauce, flanked by rice noodles and fresh herbs.)
According to a press release from CNN, scenes from the momentous dinner will appear on an upcoming episode of Parts Unknown to air during the show’s eighth season in September. With 241 days left in the White House, what other Cool Things will Obama accomplish? He’s already become the first president to brew beer in the White House, and impressed his hipster taste in coffee upon the Oval Office, which now uses Chemex brewers emblazoned with the presidential seal.
More here
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Anthony Bourdain
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Total cost of bun Cha dinner with the President: $6.00 . I picked up the check . #Hanoi
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Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) May 23, 2025****
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After dinner with @Bourdain, Obama greeted with cheers on a humid Hanoi evening https://t.co/Manzqs4hz8
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Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) May 23, 2025****
White House.gov
❤
Congrats, MP!
Congratulations, MP!
Tank yew, tank yew! The glories of sitting on the computer with a smart phone beside ones hand, buzzing when mail arrives! How did we ever manage without all this technology? And I am a Boomer, so I really do remember!
IF HIS SMILE GETS ANY WIDER..HIS EARS WILL FALL OFF…LOL!
Congratulations to our star-gazer-in=chief - Mighty Pamela. Such wondrous pictures of President Obama in Vietnam!
Beautiful photos. Thank you. The young Vietnamese in that restaurant must have been so proud.
Hoping Bordain and PBO’s guts were OK afterwards though!
Love our President big time!
Thanks, Nerdy — GREAT POST! Love the bonus WH Chef recipe at the end of the Bourdain dinner article. I see Turnip Curry in my future!
Ha Ha, I saw that too Jazziz2! Think I’ll sub another veg for turnips, though in that recipe. I love pickled turnips, but in a tomato curry…hmmmn… maybe I’ll do eggplant and/or zucchini with the chickpeas. Oh yeah and I will need a hot pepper in that
I’m with you on the hot pepper. When I make it, the green beans will go in after I turn off the stove. Hate cooked GB’s; LOVE them raw…
Thanks so much for covering this, Nerdy. It’s such an intriguing journey. No matter where PBO goes, he’s sure to experience the people and their values.
And - OH, the power of suggestion - I had to get a steaming hot bowl of aromatic pho for dinner. Heaven.
Last chance:
From Charles Blow re: the pic above
This is one of the most important pictures I’ve ever posted (even though it’s blurry and not the best). First, today was my son’s (in the striped tie) commencement from Yale. His major was an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major. He plans to go to medical school. But the men in that picture are of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” who serve as his counsel and guides and role models, the sentinels who formed a protective hedge around him, willing to protect him with ferocity of the grizzly in “The Revenant.” Father, godfather, uncles, men he called uncle, mentors, teachers, doctors, family friends, my coworkers, barbers. So many men in his life. They were available for him to talk to when he didn’t want to talk to me. What he didn’t know was that we took counsel with each other, figuring out the best advice to give and how to reinforce each other’s messages. That’s sometimes what it takes. Folks say it take a village to raise a child. Well, these are some of the warriors in my son’s village.
Wow - what a moving statement from Charles Blow! All young men (and women) should be so guided by caring adults.
yessssssssss….My Brother’s Keeper…..yessssss
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS INDEED…THERE IS ALOT OF WORK TO DO…SO MANY KIDS FALLING THRU THE CRACKS OUT THERE…THEY NEED LOVE AND GUIDANCE….THE ONE I HOPE DOESN’T FALL I AM WORKING WITH..BOTH HIS PARENTS ARE ON POT……………………….HE HOPES TO BE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT…AM WORKING WITH ALL 3 PRAYING SOMETHING CHANGES IN THAT FAMILY.
I’ll bet he knows now!
I teared up when I saw this on my timeline. IT TAKES A VILLAGE! I am everything I am today because of my village! My Mom kept me surrounded by positive people.
…and BTW, I try to do the same for the kids in my family and neighborhood…
What an amazing photo and what a brilliant idea. Charles Blow’s son was really blessed to have so many men looking out for him. I hope he has both a satisfying career and a happy life ahead of him.
Wow!
Hey, watch it! Nobody said you can’t use the expensive plates…….now that you are older. 😉
but I want the video games …..
You cannot have everything! 😀
#namecaller&youstillcanthaveitwhateveritwasiforgot
Dan Pfeiffer tweets out some truth. This needs to be a bumper sticker:
Of course, BHO won in part because he put his ‘shoulder to the wheel’ and didn’t waste valuable time and effort whining.
And he had us! He still has us.
Hello there, P! You move in and out so quickly these days you are worse than I with my solitaire and scrabble and light reading.. Hope all is going well in your corner of the west.
He had me from the day he announced in Springfield and haven’t changed my mind since. He is the most intelligent, pragmatic and honest president of my lifetime.
Boom.
Go ahead and SPEAK TRUTH Dan Pfeiffer! I am so sick and tired of the whining Bernie Sanders’ supporters!
Yeah, you and me both😦 Bernie getting on my Last nerve now😦
Cool Like Dat (featuring, PBO, VPJB, SoSHC)
Yaaaay Jazziz2!
The rebirth of slick will be when PBO and Joe go out and campaign this fall for HRC! Can’t wait to see PBO show ’em how it’s done once again
Coolest President Ever!
The entire world loves our President, no need to ask why! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Pope Francis meets top Sunni cleric after five-year freeze.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36364478
Thanks for nothing, ratzi, the natzi.
Thanks Nerdy for this excellent Vietnam trip coverage! What heartwarming pics! Such a contrast to the toxicity of Trump, Berniebros, US media, etc!
LOL!!!!!
Thank you Nerdy for all the pics, twitters on the trip to Vietnam. And Chips, I hope you check in now and then, wishing you well and your Mom.
GN TOD. It’s my bedtime. Didn’t sleep worth a darn last night so to be a little early and read.
I only slept couple hours Saturday night and was awake in middle of night over an hour last night. I am ready for a good night!
US veterans going back to live in Vietnam.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36363537
check out this pic.
with that, ciao.
Hi amk, bye amk
NW, thanks you so much for the coverage of PBO’s trip to Vietnam. I haven’t been able to do more than glance at the pictures & they are AWESOME. He makes me so proud to call him my President❤
LIVE NOW: Bernie Sanders in Santa Monica, California - http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
I’m surprised you actually got that one posted, JER, without falling off your chair laughing!
Sometimes you just need a good laugh.
Totally agree - and thanks for all of ’em!
Simply exudes the true meaning of ‘president’, eh? Blech.
What’s that old joke from when we were kids? “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.”
Bernie wanted Fox pundits to attack Sec Clinton for him. How sad she well realised his motives - and if anyone on his campaign could do maths - there is nothing presumptuous about claiming the win. Past time he accepted the loss
This is getting seriously close to the point where some might have to quit ignoring him (as I am) and say something like “Why, because she’s a woman?” Seriously. And, believe me, I’m not all touchy about that in most circumstances. #Enough
Cabinet picks? Then straight up win the election! Otherwise, SIT THE HELL DOWN!
Please see Kat’s correction below.
Exactly, Desertflower! I hope Hillary Clinton tells him that the answer is unequivocally NO! And if Sanders’ supporters want Donald Trump to be the next President, so be it! In return, Sanders should be stripped of his ranking and should be marginalized by Democrats in the Senate. Let’s dare him to go caucus with racist right wing tea baggers! We, as loyal Democrats, must not allow Bernie Sanders to destroy the Democratic Party!
WHAT?????? This is out of control.
Please see Kat’s correction below.
Kat sent out the correction … which I am glad to hear!
Your media in action - like to spread stories and rumours
This is why you cannot give into bullies they always want more!
Who in the world can do ceremony with elegant dignity but sit on a stool eating in a noodle restaurant and look just as comfortable in either role. What a guy! Thanks for terrific pics Nerdy. PBO is versatility in motion.
Love our President 😆
Sweet Dreams, folks!
Sweet Dreams, VC!
THank you Nerdy - an absolute delight to see your President being Presidential - regardless as to where and with all comers. He is truly a man for all seasons.
ICYMI (Like I did several months go…)
I’m so proud of this family.
me too bella….i love that hash tag…#SheMadeMe
LIVE - President Obama Delivers Remarks at the National Convention Center. Also on MSNBC, CNN, & FOX.
HMMMM..MY PUTER WILL NOT PLAY VIDEOS…………..HAVING TROUBLE
HAH…MY ROOMMATE DOESN’T LIKE PBO..HE HAD TURNED THE SOUND OFF!..FIXED NOW!
Six things about the $6 Bourdain-Obama meal
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36365988
WOW..
except….
The DNC allowed this to happen….why allow someone who you KNOW is not a DEM run in your primaries
Exactly! One of the reasons why I withheld DNC $$$ in favor of contributions to individual candidates…
Good Morning 😊, Everyone 😆
GM rikyrah, prettyfoot58, anyone else up and having their first cuppa kaffee?
I’m here Roberta and just about to have my first cup, along with breakfast. Hope all is well with you.
Good morning TOD
That is a BFD, thanks bobfr, and good morning.
Good morning Roberta, and I agree ….
Hope all of you have a fine Tuesday …. bbl …
Good Morning Chips and TOD.
SOON…
Secretary Kerry is speaking now.
Got a problem with transmission, So will watch later.
NOT GETTING THESE TRANSMISSIONS..I DON’T LIKE THAT!
FIXED……………………:)
Good Morning!
[I sure hope and pray that Chips’ mom is making progress, and that this is not the reason Chips has been so busy/silent. Let’s lift them both up high in our quiet thoughts today!]
Familiar visual; different venue! We are so used to this! 😀 😀
Continued BLESSINGS & LOVE to you, President Obama!
Everywhere he goes the rest of his life, it will be like this. There is NOONE in the world with the influence, charisma, integrity he has. People know it around the world.
Good Morning, Carolyn.
I agree with you. I firmly believe that people *feel* his sincerity, *see* his humanity and his love for others, and❤❤ his character and integrity.
It has been a tremendous joy to be alive in the age (and reign) of the Obamas (for so many around the world)!
new thread
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/05/24/early-bird-chat-vietnan-version/