In theory, second-term presidents can take more risks. Unencumbered by the prospect of having to run for office again, they can expend political capital on pushing policies that other elected officials fear. For President Obama, that second-term bravado is already on display: he’s promised to address immigration in a comprehensive fashion, and the gun control proposals unveiled this week are aggressive.

But one area where Obama seems to be playing it safe is in restaurants. Often a creative local diner whose selection of restaurants have ranged from Ben’s Chili Bowl to Komi (and plenty others in between), yesterday he dined with First Lady Michelle Obama (who turned 49) at Café Milano in Georgetown.

If there’s any place in D.C. where high-rollers want to be seen, it’s Café Milano. It plays host to diplomats, government officials, policy wonks, and hanger-ons; it was even the target of a recent attempted terrorist hit on the Saudi Arabian ambassador.

Still, it’s never really celebrated for its food. One Yelp reviewer may have said it best: “Great scene, totally mediocre food. If it weren’t for our well-heeled fellow diners and the impeccable service, I might’ve thought I was at the Olive Garden or something.” Or Timothy Noah of The New Republic, who wrote in late 2011:

Cafe Milano has become the most fashionable restaurant in Washington, DC., without ever entering the usual intermediate stage of becoming one of the best. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it or anything. Zagat says a bit snottily that it’s got “chow that’s ‘better than you’d expect,'” but shouldn’t the chow be fabulous at such a place? (Zagat also says that “unless ‘your name regularly appears on the Washington Post’s front page,’ prepare for ‘long waits’ and ‘smug’ treatment.”) I can name half a dozen Italian restaurants in DC that offer better food, usually at lower prices. And I don’t get out all that much. Yet celebrities, especially Hollywood celebrities, adore the place.

You can do better, President Obama, yes we you can! With your second term about to begin, don’t forget to keep inspiring us to say, “Obama went there? That’s awesome.” We’ll overlook the slip-up this time, but we may not be so forgiving if it happens again.

Filed Under: barack obama, cafe milano, georgetown, michelle obama,