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

The Obamas have been taking a much-deserved break from politics since moving out of the White House.But next week,it's back to reality.President Barack Obama will be in Chicago on Monday to discuss community organization and civic engagement.As we all know, the Obamas have impeccable tastein food, so it wouldn't be surprising to seethe former president surveying the Chicago dining scene when he returns stateside. Will he visitthe renownedAlinea' Or return to anold Obama favorite,Spiaggia'Last September, my husband and Ihad a chance run-in with Barack and Michelle, who were in New York City for their last visit as president and first lady.Here's what it was like.We were headed to Cosme in New York's Flatiron District to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.Instagram Embed:http://instagram.com/p/BKhaPCrDaDd/embed/Width: 658pxWe 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.Walking to the restaurant, I knew something was up.The first sign was a group of about 20 New York Police Department officers on motorcycles. They were huddled outside Gramercy Tavern on East 20th Street, a block south of Cosme.I knew President Obama was in the city to bid farewell to the United Nations General Assembly, so I figured he was eating at Gramercy Tavern or Trattoria Il Mulino next door. After all, the Obamas have great taste in restaurants.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.A line of ambulances blocked off the street entirely to cars, and about half of the block was closed to pedestrians.I walked up to about five police officers and told them we had a reservation at Cosme, thinking they would let us past the blue tape barricade.Their response was to "get lost," "keep walking," and "find somewhere else to eat."Thanks, Obama.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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