WASHINGTON — Guests at the White House state dinner for the Italian prime minister best arrive hungry.
Celebrity chef Mario Batali, who trained in Italy for three years, will be in the kitchen for the Obamas' last state dinner.
He's serving up what the White House executive chef calls "highlights of the bountiful fall harvest."
The menu features an array of Italian dishes that have become staples in American cuisine, though you won't find pizza or lasagna on the tables.
And before three-time Grammy winner Gwen Stefani closes out the night, guests will nosh on an impressive spread of dessert both sweet for the tongue and the eyes, complete with an edible beehive replica.
Before sitting down to toast the Italian first couple, guests will enjoy appetizers with ingredients from the final harvest of Michelle Obama's White House Kitchen Garden including:
Hamachi Agrodolce with recently harvested eggplant
Roasted figs with speck and herb pesto made from the garden's cinnamon basil
Crab cannolis with homegrown currant tomatoes
Grilled rosemary lamb with freshly picked rosemary
Sweet potato agnolotti with butter and sage
Wine pairing: Palmina Vermentino "Santa Ynez" 2015
Warm butternut squash salad with frisee and pecorino di New York
Wine pairing: Villa Ragazzi Sangiovese "Napa" 2012
Beef braciole pinwheel with horseradish gremolata and broccoli rabe; vegetarian option available
Wine pairing: Ride Vineyards Zinfandel "East Bench" 2014
Green Apple Crostata with thyme caramel and buttermilk gelato
Petits four display:
Sweet corn crema and blackberry cup
Concord grape bittersweet chocolate leaf
Orange fig slice
Pumpkin cranberry tart
Tiramisu