A Tale of Two Dinners

Yesterday President Obama, recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, hosted an elaborate White House state dinner for Hu Jintao, current leader of China.  The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Liu Xiaobo, who has been imprisoned since 2009 by China for his activities in support of human rights. When Mr. Jintao visited President Bush in 2006 all he got for his trouble was lunch, which was widely seen as a symbolic comment by the President against China's unabated oppression of dissidents.

You can read the menu for the state dinner below.  I haven't been able to find any reports as to what was on Mr. Xiaobo's menu.

First Course:
D'Anjou Pear with Farmstead Goat Cheese
Fennel, Black Walnuts, and White Balsamic
Second Course:
Poached Maine Lobster
Orange Glaze Carrots and Black Trumpet Mushrooms
Wine: DuMol Chardonnay "Russian River" 2008
Lemon Sorbet
Main Course:
Dry Aged Rib Eye with Buttermilk Crisp Onions
Double Stuffed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach
Wine: Quilceda Creek Cabernet "Columbia Valley" 2005 
Dessert: Old Fashioned Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream