Obama gets a $6 dinner with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi

By The Hill   May 23, 2016 | 06:43 am PT
Obama gets a $6 dinner with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi
U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with a local resident as he leaves after having a dinner with Anthony Bourdain at the restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam May 23, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
President Obama dined with chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam on Monday.

The two men sat down for dinner at Bún chả Hương Liên, a restaurant near the city’s old quarter. The conversation will be featured on an episode of Bourdain’s CNN travel and food show, “Parts Unknown,” in September.

"Total cost of bun Cha dinner with the President: $6.00. I picked up the check," Bourdain tweets. 

Obama’s celebrity dining outing attracted a large crowd of onlookers, who watched his motorcade travel from his hotel to the destination.

Hundreds of others gathered on the streets outside the modest-looking restaurant, trying to catch a glimpse of the president, according to a pool reporter.

The interview is part of the White House’s strategy to reach new audiences through non-traditional outlets.

During a trip to Alaska last September, Obama taped an appearance on Bear Grylls’ NBC outdoor survival show.

The outspoken Bourdain has often criticized Republicans but has also expressed disappointment with Obama.

“A disappointment to me personally for someone I admired,” he said during a 2011 appearance on an Australian TV show.

“I was very happy when he was elected president,” he added. “I certainly voted for him and I was very happy when he was elected. I wish he’d get angry.”

 
 
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