President-elect Obama missed President Bush’s farewell speech Thursday night (at least when it aired live) but he had a good reason: He was taking out his wife for an early birthday dinner at the time.
Michelle Obama turns 45 on Saturday, the soon-to-be first couple stole away (with about 40 Secret Service agents) to Equinox restaurant, which is only a block from their temporary home at Blair House.
Crowds of well-wishers assembled outside, as the couple tried their best to have some private time. Chef Todd Gray sent out a special birthday dessert for Mrs. Obama, said a restaurant spokeswoman.
>UPDATE: We hear that the historic 1789 restaurant in Georgetown played host to a luncheon for Cabinet spouses Wednesday. Both Mr. Cheney and Mrs. Bush attended and guests dined on field green salad, Maryland crab cakes, free range chicken with Jerusalem artichoke puree, Chesapeake Bay rockfish and citrus tiramisu for dessert. As you can expect, the place was crawling with Secret Service.
