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They were joined by ten friends for the 2 1/2 hour dinner party in an intimate private dining room, which ended with a candle-topped Red Velvet birthday cake. Guests included Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife Dr. Sharon Malone. Mrs. Obama is something of a regular at BLT Steak, which features an “Obama Burger” on the lunch menu, and is located just a few blocks from the White House. The First Lady last had dinner there with a girlfriend on January 6th. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama on Tuesday afternoon at the White House)

“The First Lady dines with us quite regularly,” BLT assistant general manager Matt Wright, who did double duty as a server for the birthday party, told Obama Foodorama.

Steak is an Obama favorite for special occasions: It was served as the entree for every high profile White House dinner in 2011. And steak is what everyone celebrating Mrs. Obama’s birthday ordered, according to Wright. The First Lady was clad in black for her birthday outfit—”with pearls,” said Wright, and the party was all smiles as they arrived for the 7:00 PM dinner.

For dinner, the President and Mrs. Obama both enjoyed American Wagyu Top Cap, which is served in a 10 0z portion ($81). Executive Chef Victor Albisu personally did the cooking, which earned him a hug and warm thanks from the First Lady at the end of the evening. Side dishes were family style for the table, and included French Fries, Mashed Potatoes, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Creamed Spinach, and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms. Appetizers ordered for the table to share were also steak: The American Wagyu Skirt Steak (10 0z, $55) and 28-Day Dry Aged New York Strip (16 0z, $46). House-made sauces are served with the steaks, and include Horseradish, Peppercorn, 3 Mustards, and “Steak” sauce.

The house signature bread is a huge, fluffy Popover, served piping hot to guests after ordering, accompanied by a salt shaker the size of a pint of milk. The Obama party enjoyed red and white wine with their dinner, Wright said. He was joined by two other managers who performed the duties of servers.

The birthday cake was Red Velvet, which is not on the BLT menu but served because it is “a favorite” of the First Lady’s, Wright said. There was no inscription on top, thanks to a crumb topping, and the cake was accompanied by Cream Cheese Ice Cream. Heavy security presence...including in the kitchen
BLT remained open to diners during the Obama party, but Secret Service were everywhere, including in the kitchen, observing Albisu cooking, Wright said. http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/01/president-obama-takes-first-lady-to.html