You Can Eat U.S. Presidents' Favorite Dishes at This NYC Restaurant

Stacey Leasca
Updated

If one man knows how to cook up a Presidents Day weekend meal the right way, it’s John Doherty. That’s because Doherty, the owner and chef behind Blackbarn Restaurant in New York City and the former executive chef at the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel, happens to be one of the only chefs to ever have prepared a meal for six world leaders at the same time.

Chef Doherty has experience serving up stately dinners, which included a savory roast rack of lamb for the late George H.W. Bush and seared scallops at a dinner hosted by Bill Clinton.

He even served President Ronald Reagan a French Brie-topped garden salad while hosting the leaders of the free world during the 40th Anniversary of the United Nations in 1985.

So, to commemorate this year’s Presidents Day weekend, Doherty and his team are creating five distinct courses made from the season’s freshest ingredients, all inspired by U.S. presidents and their favorite meals.

The weekend’s chef’s table menu includes Consommé and Ravioli of Wild Mushrooms, which was served to Mikhail Gorbachev, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, at a dinner hosted by President Ronald Reagan and President-Elect George H.W. Bush at Governors Island in 1988.

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The meal will conclude with Chocolate Caramel Tart, Raspberry Coulis, which comes with dark chocolate ganache, caramel, fresh raspberry sauce, and a gold leaf finish. That dessert was served to President George W. Bush after he addressed the United Nations Assembly in September of 1997.

Of course, the entire meal will come with wine pairings also enjoyed by the leaders of the free world.

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Millions of Americans go to bed hungry every single day and it breaks my heart. Join me in my quest to not only feed these people, but to do so with high quality, great tasting food. I am turning 61 on January 12th! Now, before you run out to buy my gift, let me tell you what I REALLY want for my Birthday! I want to end world hunger. I want to make sure every single person on this planet has the gift of healthy, delicious food. I am working towards this goal by creating and manufacturing shelf stable, healthy, delicious meals to be distributed to those among us who are currently going to bed hungry. My Foundation, Heavenly Harvest, will be distributing 70,000 meals next month and we need to raise $61,000 to start production on another round of meals. Please help me have the best birthday ever by donating what you can. In honor of my 61st birthday may I recommend donation in the variations of my age: $.61, $6.10, $61, $161, $610, $6100, $61,000…..you get the idea. No amount is too small and no amount is too big. Please click the link in the profile to donate today. Thank you.

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The World Leader chef’s table dinner is a meal you can feel good about, too, as a percentage of revenue will go toward Doherty’s Heavenly Harvest Foundation, a charity that creates nutritious and quality meals for families in need.

Reservations for the general public are open for Saturday nights now through March 15, and available all other nights for private events. To reserve your spot at the Chef’s Table call the restaurant at 212-265-5959, or email at events@blackbarnrestaurant.com. View the entire chef’s table menu here.