White House state dinner menu for Xi Jinping revealed
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan for a formal White House state dinner on Thursday, featuring American ingredients with subtle Chinese influences in the East Room. The meal begins with Schramsberg "Blanc De Noir" sparkling wine, referencing the 1972 "Toast to Peace" between Nixon and Zhou Enlai, followed by yellow squash velouté with wild mushroom fricassée, crispy pancetta, and scallion oil. The main course is sesame-crusted sea bass with braised baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant, and sauce verte, while dessert includes vanilla crémeux, walnut frangipane, sour cherry confit, and White House honey ice cream. Red dominates the East Room decor, reflecting Chinese cultural significance, with vermeil from the Reagan State Service and rich red linens decorated with dahlias and ranunculus. Xi's visit marks his first trip to Washington in over a decade, with Trump personally welcoming him at Joint Base Andrews.