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Vietnamese Restaurant Where Obama Ate is Literally Preserving His Table

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The Restaurant Where Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama Ate Dinner Encased Their Table in Glass

Preserved for the ages.

For the restaurant in question, Bun Cha Huong Lien, the pair’s visit was understandably a very big deal—such a big deal, in fact, that its owners decided to encase their table and its settings, right down to the beer bottles, in glass.

As The Daily Mail reported earlier this year, the restaurant—which was mobbed by crowds during the presidential visit—decided to preserve the remnants of their meal forever, alongside a photo of Obama and Bourdain. So next time you’re in Hanoi, be sure to stop by and check out a small piece of history.

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Obama stops off for $6 dinner at streetside restaurant in Vietnam

US president popped in for a low-key meal with TV chef Anthony Bourdain, leaving restaurant owner Nguyen Thi Lien stunned

She has ladled out countless bowls of her pork noodle soup, but the owner of a Hanoi streetside restaurant says she was stunned when Barack Obama strolled in, pulled up a plastic stool and slurped down Vietnam’s famed “bun cha” delicacy.

The US president slipped away from his hectic Vietnam visit on Monday night to sample the dish with Anthony Bourdain , a chef and food critic who fronts a travel show about hidden culinary gems around the world.

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While 54-year-old restaurant owner Nguyen Thi Lien knew a foreign television crew was on the way, she had no idea they would be bringing a very special guest.

“His presence in our restaurant was a great surprise for my whole family, who could never have imagined it, even in our dreams,” she told AFP on Tuesday.

US Secret Service and local police closed down the streets surrounding Bun Cha Huong Lien eatery on Monday evening.

A large crowd gathered outside the restaurant, letting out a cheer as Obama exited.

Surrounded by a coterie of bodyguards, he stopped to greet excited locals, many capturing the moment on their phones, before being whisked away in his limousine.

“Obama was nice, smiling, cheerful and popular with everyone,” the shop’s owner told AFP, adding that she regretted not posing for a picture with the president.

Bourdain posted a picture of the dinner on his Instagram feed with the caption “The President’s chopstick skills are on point”.

It showed the two sitting on tiny plastic stools that are a common feature of Vietnamese street restaurants, Obama clasping a bottle of Hanoi Beer in his right hand.

Local diners could be seen sitting at stainless steel tables behind the pair tucking in to their own steaming bowls of broth, one wearing an American-style black baseball cap.

“Total cost of bun cha dinner with the President: $6.00. I picked up the check,” Bourdain, who is renowned for his love of cheap streetside food, later tweeted.

Vietnam is known for its fresh ingredients and healthy cuisine but Obama’s choice of bun cha, which with its fatty pork and sweet broth is at the more gluttonous end of the country’s culinary spectrum, might have raised the eyebrows of his wife Michelle who has long campaigned for healthy eating.

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Hanoi Restaurant Where Barack Obama And Anthony Bourdain Ate Enshrines Their Table In Glass

Back in May 2016—in simpler, better times—President Barack Obama and gonzo chef Anthony Bourdian sat down for a $6 meal of noodles and beer at a casual restaurant in Vietnam. The celebrity visitors continue to be a draw for Hanoi restaurant Bun Cha Huong Lien, so much so that people refer to it as Bun Cha Obama, according to Viet Nam News .

To preserve its claim to fame, the restaurant recently sealed off the table at which the two men sat—complete with staged plates, chopsticks, and beer—as a sort of shrine-slash-museum-slash-photo-op. Sealed in protective glass, the table is now an attraction of its own, the paper reports, with numerous people offering to buy the stools or table or glasses from the restaurant.

A restaurant in Vietnam that Obama once ate at, now keeps the chairs and table on display pic.twitter.com/FhgWUzfcRB — Jake (@Jake_Wells15) March 9, 2018

The news reminded me of an old-school ice cream parlor in my home state of New Jersey called Holsten's. It's located in Bloomfield, where my mom grew up, and we occasionally got bribed with treated to malts and sundaes there as kids. One of Holsten's maroon leather-flocked booths was also the scene of Tony Soprano's onion rings meal during The Sopranos' final episode, and I recall the ice cream parlor placing a somber "Reserved" sign on the table the day James Gandolfini died. Holsten's now sells Sopranos -themed merch on its website, and people continue to order onion rings from Holsten's as a sort of pilgrimage rite.

It's cool that these small, independently run restaurants get a boost from their celebrity visitors, and I can't blame them for wanting to cash in on their 15 minutes in the spotlight. The plexiglass cage is a bit much, but it should definitely protect the restaurant's claim to fame.

"For us, he [Obama] is a close and lovable person that we appreciate a lot," Bun Cha Huong's owner told Viet Nam News . Same, girl, same.

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Where President Obama and Anthony Bourdain Ate $6 Noodles in Vietnam

By Betsy Blumenthal

If you’re going to have a meeting of the minds, it might as well be over a good meal—and that’s exactly what President Obama and Anthony Bourdain did when they faced off Monday night at Bún chả Hương Liên, a tiny, grab-a-plastic-stool spot in Hanoi, just outside the old quarter. Bourdain and his crew filmed the conversation for a Season 8 episode of his CNN show Parts Unknown, set to air in September.

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

The restaurant’s specialty, Bún chả, is classic street food fare: grilled fatty pork typically served in a broth or sauce, along with rice noodles and fresh herbs. It's basically comfort food, and better still, occasionally comes with spring rolls. We’re guessing the hearty stuff—plus a couple of cold ones, give or take—was a good way to top off the announcement President Obama had made just a few hours prior, in which he reinstated the U.S.’s sale of military equipment to the country after a long embargo.

Lucky for POTUS, the globetrotting food fiend deemed the leader of the free world's chopstick skills to be “on point”—what we assume are pretty encouraging words for even the most seasoned diplomat. And let it be known that Bourdain treated the president to dinner—when he footed the whopping $6 bill.

This article has been updated with a correction about Bún chả.

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Obama visits Vietnam, eats with the only available expert on Vietnamese food, Anthony Bourdain

Between diplomatic agreements , Barack Obama is being well fed.

The US president is in Vietnam this week to announce new joint economic agreements and formally usher in a new period of friendship between the two nations.   He is also dutifully following a longstanding tradition that dictates tall foreigners must try to balance on the low plastic stools (Vietnamese) common in casual restaurants throughout the country.

On Monday night, Obama and American chef-turned-TV personality Anthony Bourdain squeezed in at Hương Liên in Hanoi to eat bún chả. The grilled pork patties served in a bowl of fish sauce, along with vermicelli noodles, herbs, and lettuce on the side, are a staple of northern Vietnamese cuisine.

Bourdain, the host of CNN’s Parts Unknown , is a known fan of Vietnamese street food, and visited the country often throughout the course of his eight-season show, No Reservations .  According to a tweet , the $6 meal was his treat.

People seem delighted to see Obama in a hole-in-the-wall street food joint, beer in hand. Bourdain’s Instagram photo of the meal, posted five hours ago at time of writing, is already his most successful in the last year, with 100,000 hearts and counting, twice as many as any other of the year’s posts.

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Bun Cha Obama – visiting the restaurant that Obama and Bourdain ate at in Hanoi

June 29, 2017 By James Clark 6 Comments

During the 2016 Presidential visit to Vietnam, Barack Obama went to a bun cha restaurant in Hanoi with Anthony Bourdain. If you didn’t see what happened check out the video and this interview with Bourdain on meeting Obama in Hanoi .

I wasn’t planning to visit Bun Cha Obama on my visit to Hanoi. There is already a well-worn Bourdain trail in Saigon, where the places that Bourdain has visited have become tourist attractions. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. If it gets people away from the Intercontinental Buffet to try a bun bo hue from the Lunch Lady that Bourdain featured, then I’m all for it.

It wasn’t until I was wandering around the old quarter of Hanoi and saw a restaurant called “Obama Bun Cha” that I gave it a thought. This restaurant was not the actual place Bourdain took Obama, yet here they were cashing in on the association.

I saw a place in Nha Trang advertising Obama Bun Cha as well, and no doubt there are other places up and down the country doing the same thing.

I started thinking that I wanted bun cha – a regular thought in Hanoi – so a walk to a new neighbourhood to have Bun Cha Obama seemed like a good activity.

The restaurant is Bun Cha Huong Lien on 24 Le Van Huu. It’s south of the ancient city, still in old Hanoi but with wider streets. There are many embassies in this area, though don’t imagine it all to be villas and mansions as it’s still chaotic Hanoi.

When I reached Le Van Huu street I started counting down the numbers to 24, and I felt self-conscious for being such a tourist. There is only one reason that a foreigner is walking down this street. I found the restaurant and I was surprised that there was no reference on the outside sign.

Step inside though and the place is a virtual shrine for that fateful day, with pictures lining the walls.

Even though most places serve bun cha for lunch I figured it will be open all hours now. I went at 5pm to get there before the evening rush. The place was busy with a mix of locals and foreigners. There was an American family sitting opposite me, with the dad pointing at the pictures to his two children.

There were some Japanese and Korean tourists there, and then a large Vietnamese family group rolled in and went upstairs. I wondered if the Vietnamese diners were regular visitors or tourists.

While I was waiting for my bun cha I walked around the room to study the photos. This photo in particular simultaneously filled me with joy and sadness. Goddamn I miss No Drama Obama.

I got my bun cha and I was happy with my decision to be a tourist and visit Bun Cha Huong Lien, or Bun Cha Obama as they are better known now.

About James Clark

James Clark is the founder of Nomadic Notes. He has been a digital nomad since 2003, and Nomadic Notes features trip reports, train travel articles , and where to stay guides . He writes about transport and urban development at Future Southeast Asia . Subscribe to the weekly travel newsletter .

June 30, 2017 at 7:35 pm

Very smart entrepreneurs over there … hope the bun cha was awesome!

July 6, 2017 at 5:13 am

Oh wow, somehow missed that little place on our travels! How was the bun cha there?

August 14, 2019 at 8:24 am

Hi Jolene Ejmont ,

Coming to Hanoi, you come to the address “Bun Cha Huong Lien on 24 Le Van Huu”, the food here is very delicious and affordable.

July 9, 2017 at 3:06 am

I have just returned from a trip to Balkans with a week stopover exploring Seoul so I was interested to read your take on it but cannot find hoe to access that story although I have been able to click on read your other posts.Any advice? Cheers.

July 9, 2017 at 3:13 am

Hi Blake, I’ve just returned from Seoul and I will have a couple of article posted this month. Stay tuned!

March 22, 2024 at 5:53 pm

Thank you for this wonderful tip – I have to go there next time!

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• Bún Chả Hương Liên

The “Bún chả Hương Liên” is a prominent family run restaurant, situated in in the south east of  Hanoi’s French Quarter . The place is now commonly referred to as “Bun Cha Obama”, as it was where Barrack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate their $6 dollar dinner.

During a visit to Hanoi in 2016, the US President sat down with the former CNN celebrity chef filming his travel food show – “Parts Unknown”. Since the historical moment, the restaurant’s changed forever. It’s been crowded with curious diners from all over the world.

The 4-story, easy-to-miss and like-a-house restaurant, has no big “Obama ate here!” sign or a giant poster of him on its facade. It’s not even in some snazzy or rich part of town. In fact, the place is at a tight street, quite relatively hard to find for many. Nothing makes the restaurant stand out, except for the fact that it’s really busy.

Our clients on  Hanoi walking food tour  recently asked us to take them to “Bun Cha Obama”. Knew it was a very busy place, we arrived between lunch and dinner so we wouldn’t need to wait. On arrival, there was no welcome, just directed to go upstairs.

We headed up a narrow tiled staircase to the second floor, and took a table adjacent to where Obama and Bourdain sat. Although there was no wait, all the staffs were so rushed to get people in and out quickly that it didn’t feel like a pleasant meal we were looking for.

The eatery looks much as it did when they were there, but there were a few key changes. The owner’s made the most of her opportunity. It was packed with tourists dining among canteen-style stainless steel tables and plastic stools, the stools that are ubiquitous around the city. 

There were photos of ‘the moment’ everywhere – on the walls and the menu. Our clients, wishing to relive the experience, ordered a “Combo Obama”, which included bun cha, a crab spring roll and a bottle of Hanoi beer. The total cost was 85.000 dong (about $3.50). 

I ordered the  traditional bun cha  for myself. The beloved local specialty of Hanoi included bits of marinated, charcoal-grilled fatty pork patties and pork slices in an unctuous dipping sauce with rice noodles and accompanying herb garnishes. The cost was 40.000 dong (less than 2 dollars). 

But what we couldn’t do is to sit down at the same table, in those same blue plastic stools. As the restaurant encased the table at which the two men sat in protective glass, probably to preserve its claim to fame.

A set of plates, spoons, chopsticks, two empty beer bottles and staged dinnerware were organized as they were on the table where they ate together. Of course, the iconic low plastic stools were also included, as if waiting for the return of its distinguished diners.

Very quickly after placing our order, there laid our plates of cold rice noodles, leafy greens and herbs. The combo got individual plates of crisp spring rolls scissored into bite size chunks. Then everyone of us got a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce containing the tempting black-edged pork belly and minced pork patties. 

The sauce was highlighted with pickled carrot and korhrabi, that helped cut through the fattiness of the meat. But, to any local standard, while the crab spring rolls didn’t deliver a lot of thrills, the dipping sauce was cold and overly sweet. Thankfully, we were able to adjust the taste with a kumquat and a tea spoon of rice vinegar.

For a reason, there’re always a little plate of smacked up garlic, sliced chilli, small jars of fish sauce, rice vinegar, and some kumquats set available on each table at every local restaurant in Hanoi. Dinners are supposed to affix those condements into whatever they are eating, to tailor the palate.

The service, on the other hand, did not accompany the fame of the place. We could hardly get a smile out of the waiters; they were no friendly. Many customers, like our own, were really banking on the reputation that Obama ate there and just want to try. 

The place was good a long time ago, but it’s definitely not the must-try one. It’s now lacking in any charm, charisma and service it once had. It’s been taken over by tourism and clearly forgotten its routes, that’s a pity.

We are actually not surprised. When things become internet famous then tend to fall in quality quickly. Once the volume of customers is flowing no matter what, it’s a common mistake to forget about quality.

With that said, Flavors of Hanoi rated Bun Cha Huong Lien  3 out of 5. Hope they clean up their act, concentrate less on customer turnover and more on service and quality. They should know there are so many bun cha restaurants in the  Old Quarter , selling the same thing with much better customer service.

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• How Obama And Anthony Bourdain...

How Obama and Anthony Bourdain made This Little Hanoi Noodle Shop Famous

In April 2015, Bún Chả Hương Liên was just like any of the other noodle shops in Vietnam’s 1,000-year-old capital. Saigon beer bottles kicked around between blue plastic stools and cigarette smoke wafted through the air, mixing with the unmistakable scent of pork grilling on open flames. A month later, after US President Barack Obama and late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain stepped inside, the restaurant would never be the same.

A presidential dinner guest.

Bún Chả Hương Liên had been around for more than two decades prior to hosting the United States’ 44th president and in that time had served up countless bowls of Bún Chả, rice noodles topped with grilled pork and pickled vegetables. The three-storey, easy-to-miss establishment was, and still is, much more of a hole in the wall than anything resembling a high-end dining experience. Perhaps that’s the reason Anthony Bourdain, lover of Vietnamese cuisine and fan of all things authentic, chose the joint. On a warm May night, the restaurant’s owners were informed that a number of reporters and journalists from the international news media would be stopping by; they had no idea the US president himself would find a little blue plastic stool and change their restaurant forever.

Chowing down on Northern Vietnamese cuisine

Just outside Hanoi’s French Quarter, Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain took a spot between Vietnamese diners to film a segment for Bourdain’s popular television series, Parts Unknown. The six-dollar meal (including beers of course) was not too out of the ordinary for Obama, who was known to eat with locals whenever he could. While there’s some debate regarding the authenticity of the patrons in the restaurant, the delighted crowd waiting out front seemed sincere in their excitement. An hour later, the two emerged to cheers and flashbulbs.

Food, fame and fortune

Before President Obama and Anthony Bourdain sat down in Bún Chả Hương Liên, the restaurant had less than 10 reviews on TripAdvisor. Today they have nearly 500, many of which reference the famous meal. The dishes that the president ordered are now listed proudly as the Combo Obama. Even in Ho Chi Minh City , more than 1500 kilometers to the south, restaurants now advertise their Bún Chả as Bún Chả Obama. In Hanoi, Bún Chả Hương Liên, which had always been a busy little place, is jam-packed most days. Their clientele remains a mixture of locals, expats and tourists, yet they’ve become much more widely known through the city and country.

Taste the legend of Bún Chả Hương Liên for yourself

Once you dig into a bowl of Bún Chả at this humble restaurant, you’ll believe all the hype. Bourdain and Obama’s visit have transformed the fortunes of Bún Chả Hương Liên, with long crowds vying for a taste of its namesake dish. The owners even turned the exact table and chairs where the pair sat into a mini-museum exhibit, firmly protected in floor-to-ceiling glass casing.

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Obama eats out in Hanoi: 6 must-try Vietnamese street food and where to get them in Singapore

It was a rare sight - US President Barack Obama sitting on a flimsy plastic stool, having a simple Vietnamese meal in a Hanoi restaurant with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.

The US$6 (S$8.25) bun cha meal they shared on Monday (May 23) caused a huge buzz on the Internet, with many taking the opportunity to sing the praises of delicious yet affordable Vietnamese street food.

Since then, the restaurant Bun Cha Huong Lien has experienced a surge in customers, with many flocking to try the dish that has been dubbed "bun cha Obama", according to Tuoitrenews.

The culinary offerings in humble eateries in Vietnamese cities make use of fresh ingredients, spices, herbs and French cooking techniques thanks to their colonial past. The results are delicious meals that are inexpensive and irresistible.

Vietnamese restaurants have now sprung up around the world, and in Singapore, many restaurants and eateries now offer typical dishes like pho and banh mi.

Here are six of the best Vietnamese streets eats and where to go for them in Singapore.

You can smell this dish even before you see it.

Every city has its own distinctive smell and for the streets of Hanoi, it is the delicious aroma of pork grilling early in the morning.

This quintessential Hanoi dish features marinated pork patties and pork belly grilled over a charcoal fire, perfectly complemented with rice noodles, herbs and a fish sauce broth.

President Obama and Bourdain picked a good spot to have the meal in Hanoi, as the restaurant Bun Cha Huong Lien is a family-style eatery known for having one of the best bun cha in the city.

Where to go: Vietnamese chain Wrap & Roll now has an Obama set meal ($12.90) made up of bun cha Hanoi and Vietnamese beer. This promotion is available from May 28 to June 19 at Wrap & Roll ION Orchard, Changi City Point and The Star Vista.

Another place for bun cha is Uncle Ho Tuckshop (100 Pasir Panjang Road 01-04), which serves this scrumptious dish, a house special, at $12.90.

When someone mentions Vietnamese food, pho would probably be the first dish that springs to mind.

The word pho actually refers to the rice noodles used in this dish, and the Vietnamese term for rice noodles is banh pho.

A bowl of pho usually consists of a hearty broth, made from boiling beef bones for hours, served with rice noodles, basil leaves, bean sprouts and a meat topping of usually beef slices or beef balls.

Where to go: Pho can be found in many Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore, and is the speciality dish of popular Vietnamese chain NamNam ($9-$19.90), Pho Stop ($8.10-$9.50, 72 Tanjong Pagar Road) and Mrs Pho ($7.90-$8.90, 349 Beach Road).

If you want to spice up your meal with something more than just the plain white rice, com tam must be your pick.

The flavourful dish is made with broken rice, which are rice grains that have been fractured during the milling process, making the grains smaller.

A typical bowl of com tam comes with sliced vegetables, fried egg and pork chop, accompanied by Vietnam's renowned fish sauce.

Other variations of this dish include the rice served with lemongrass wagyu beef or prawns.

Where to go: Grab a wholesome com tam at Comnam (B1-46/47 Raffles City Shopping Centre), popular for its affordable rice bowls, with prices ranging from $10.90 to $15.

Often fondly described as a Subway sandwich with a Vietnamese twist, the banh mi consists of a baguette - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - stuffed full with a variety of meat, usually pork, and pickled vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers.

Sauces like mayonnaise, fresh cilantro or chilli are also added as finishing touches to the sandwich.

In Vietnam, banh mi is typically sold at roadside stalls or push carts, making it the perfect choice for those who want something tasty and easy to eat on the go.

Where to go: Baguette - The Viet Inspired Deli , located at Marina Bay Link Mall and Hitachi Tower, is famous for its variety of baguettes such as its signature Saigon and Lemongrass Beef Sausage. Prices range from $3.30 to $3.70 for a mini and $6 to $7 for a regular baguette. Sandwich Saigon Cafe (93 East Coast Road) also serves unique banh mi with ingredients such as chicken cheese sausage and fish otah. Prices range from $6.90 to $8.50.

5. Goi cuon

For those who have a soft spot for spring rolls or popiah, goi cuon is the dish of choice for you.

This Vietnamese version is made up of fresh greens, rice noodles, pork slices and/or prawns all rolled in a translucent layer of rice paper.

Together with a special dipping sauce, this dish is flavourful and probably healthier for you as the roll is not deep fried.

Where to go: Vietnamese chain Wrap & Roll , famous for their Roll-It-Yourself dishes, features this appetizer at the price of $5.90 for two pieces and $11.90 for four pieces.

6. Ca Phe Sua Da

For avid coffee-drinkers, getting a caffeine fix the Vietnamese way is more than just having your brew black or white.

Ca phe sua da literally translates into the three ingredients used to make this exquisite coffee drink - coffee, milk and ice.

The traditional process of making a cup of ca phe sua da involves dripping the rich and aromatic brew through a filter and into a cup containing 2 to 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.

The filtered coffee is then poured into a cup of ice for a refreshing cold brew that's sweet but with a great caffeine kick.

Where to go: For a caffeine buzz the Vietnamese way, head to Trung Nguyen Cafe - Vietnam's equivalent of Starbucks (L1-71, Bay Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands). Prices range from $5 to $16.50 for a hot cup of traditional Vietnamese drip coffee and $5.50 to $17 for the iced version.

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Obamas visit vietnamese restaurant in saigon.

The couple left their hotel at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday and visited a place on Dong Khoi Street before heading for Cuc Gach restaurant on Dang Tat Street.

Barack and Michelle Obama sat on the first floor and ate stir-fried Tonkin jasmine flowers with garlic, stewed pork, spring rolls, and Vietnamese sour soup.  

They asked to pay by card after the meal, but the restaurant manager refused to accept money from them.

Hai, the manager, said they refused to accept it when he said the meal was on the house. "We explained that all the ingredients are grown on our farm, and so we did not spend much on them. Moreover, we wanted to welcome him as a family guest. He then agreed."

He had been told Tuesday afternoon to be ready to "welcome some politicians."

The visitors posed for a photo with Hong, a senior cook at the restaurant, before leaving.

Obama had arrived in HCMC on Sunday during what was his first visit after he relinquished office. He had a meeting with city Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan on Monday while Michelle visited a school in Long An Province in the Mekong Delta to promote girls' education.

The couple are in Kuala Lumpur this week for the Obama Foundation's inaugural "Leaders: Asia-Pacific" event.                                       

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Obama Is a Surprise Guest Among Allies at Biden’s State Dinner for Kenya

The state dinner was held in honor of the African nation, but it was clear that the night was about keeping Democratic allies close as President Biden heads into the heat of the 2024 campaign season.

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By Katie Rogers and Zach Montague

Reporting from Washington

Yes, Barack Obama was there.

State dinners are best known as bear hugs for overseas allies, and Thursday’s honoree was Kenya . But the sixth state dinner of President Biden’s term was designed to clutch domestic allies — not the least of them Mr. Obama, whose father was Kenyan — even tighter as the president makes the long slog toward November.

The 500-person event, held on the South Lawn of the White House on a humid May evening, was attended by dozens of influential Kenyans, of course. The list included President William Ruto of Kenya and his wife, Rachel, along with three of his daughters. It also included some of the country’s wealthiest figures, like James Mwangi, the chief executive of the global banking conglomerate Equity Group Holdings Limited.

“We share a strong respect for the history that connects us together,” Mr. Biden said to his guests during a toast. He quoted from a speech given by President Jimmy Carter, who honored Kenya with a state dinner in 1980: “Neighbors do not share a border but share beliefs.”

But the evening, along with the guest list, was just as notable for what it said about Mr. Biden’s current political obstacles. Aside from Mr. Obama — the former president was not on the initial guest list published by the White House, and he departed before Mr. Biden’s speech — the list name-checked the people Mr. Biden will want to bring closer into the fold in the months ahead. The lineup included elected officials in several battleground states, influential Black political operatives, and powerful philanthropists, like Melinda French Gates .

Choosing their guests, the president and Jill Biden, the first lady, mixed supporters of the president’s re-election effort with several Biden family members — granddaughters and Mr. Biden’s son Hunter, who is scheduled to stand trial on gun charges next month. (Hunter Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, walked the red carpet alone.) There were few Hollywood types, though one notable attendee was the actor Sean Penn. Mr. Penn was photographed by the gossip website TMZ as he spent time with Hunter Biden, who has been working on a documentary about his life , in California earlier this month.

And then there was a lengthy list of members of the administration, including Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, whose Department of Justice charged the younger Mr. Biden with tax fraud in December. The Bidens designed a similarly fraught guest list almost a year ago, when Hunter Biden attended the state dinner in honor of India.

In other ways, the evening seemed designed to give several overworked Biden officials the night off — if you can call it that. Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff, and Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady’s communications director, were invited, as was Carlos Elizondo, the White House social secretary, who has helped plan the last six state dinners.

Some attendees, like the veteran political strategist Donna Brazile, tried to dodge the talk of the 2024 election, but reality had a way of creeping into the gauzy event.

LeVar Burton, a former “Star Trek” officer on the U.S.S. Enterprise and a onetime host of the PBS literacy-building program “Reading Rainbow,” was asked by reporters to use a single word to describe the political climate.

“Just one? Can I swear?” asked Mr. Burton, a national treasure. “I will say it is fraught, indeed. With possibility. That’s three words.”

All three of those words could apply to Mr. Biden’s campaign. According to recent polls, he is trailing his competitor, former President Donald J. Trump, in several battleground states, and several representatives from those states were in attendance: The mayors of Charlotte, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Augusta and Atlanta all traveled to Washington to dine on chilled heirloom tomato soup and fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs within a few tables of the president.

Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State, arrived for their second state dinner this spring — the last one, for Japan , was held just over a month ago. Mr. Biden is relying on Mr. Clinton and Mr. Obama for their support, advice and fund-raising abilities: An event the three hosted in New York in March raised $25 million .

Senator Raphael Warnock, Democrat of Georgia, made the cut, as did Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a longtime friend and confidant of the president’s.

(Mr. Coons was recently dining on cooked muskrat in Delaware, at a function intended to shore up relations back home. On his plate on Thursday, though, was butter-poached lobster and baby kale with sweet corn purée, with a white chocolate basket for dessert.)

The lone Republican, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, is an ally of Speaker Mike Johnson , and was thought to be instrumental in urging Mr. Johnson to support the last round of military funding for Ukraine.

Even Brad Paisley, the night’s musical entertainment, enjoys a friend-of status. He and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have headlined several events with the first lady since Mr. Biden was elected. Mr. Paisley, who was the musical guest at a White House dinner for governors in February 2023, also performed with the Howard Gospel Choir.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of audience this is,” Mr. Paisley said brightly to reporters, telling them that he was planning to start the festivities with his song “American Saturday Night” — such a hopeful tune for a group that doesn’t really observe weekends .

At several points, attendees briefly offered their thoughts about investment in African economies and programs. Adam Silver, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, said that he supported the development of sports programs in Africa, and said that the White House should rebuild its basketball court. (Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the National Football League, sped by reporters.)

The author Barbara Kingsolver, who has drawn inspiration from the continent in several of her novels, was circumspect when asked what it was about Africa that had so influenced her work.

“Everything,” the Pulitzer Prize winner said before slipping inside.

Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent. For much of the past decade, she has focused on features about the presidency, the first family, and life in Washington, in addition to covering a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. She is the author of a book on first ladies. More about Katie Rogers

Zach Montague is based in Washington. He covers breaking news and developments around the district. More about Zach Montague

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race: News and Analysis

Donald Trump’s conviction plunges the country into unmapped political terrain , a rare moment that could reshuffle a 2024 race that has been locked in stasis and defined by a polarizing former president.

After Trump’s verdict, interviews with dozens of Democrats revealed a party hungry to tell voters that Trump’s conviction makes him unfit for office , and hopeful that President Biden will lead the way.

In his first public outing since the verdict, Trump attended a U.F.C. fight in New Jersey and reveled in the embrace of male fans .

Flip-Flopping on Abortion:  Republicans in competitive Senate races have changed their approach on the issue of abortion , softening their rhetoric, shifting their positions and even embracing policies championed by Democrats.

New Jersey Primary:  For decades, New Jersey’s House and Senate primary elections were typically low-drama affairs. But this year’s dozen contests involve considerable intrigue .

Clashing Appeals to Black Voters:  Biden and Trump both see Black outreach as critical to winning in November. But their approaches differ in fundamental and revealing ways .

635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98

Restaurant Globus

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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