marcia: State Dinner under the stars for Angela Merkel

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President Obama looks towards German Chancellor Angela Merkel as he welcomes her to the White House on the South Lawn on Tuesday.

(Credit: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

It's a far cry from a picnic or barbecue, but guests will be dining under the stars at tonight's State Dinner in the Rose Garden for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"It'll be a beautiful evening," says Semonti Stephens, deputy communications director to the first lady. But Stephens declined to say if outdoor air conditioning was installed to keep the guests cool. Temperatures heated the Rose Garden to near 90� this afternoon.

It's only the 4th State Dinner of the Obama presidency and the first for a European leader.

"Germany -- at the heart of Europe -- is one of our strongest allies," said President Obama in welcoming his guest at an arrival ceremony this morning on the South Lawn. "And Chancellor Merkel is one of my closest global partners."

Merkel is making an "official visit" to the U.S., as opposed to the higher protocol status of a "State Visit." Only chiefs of state are invited to make State Visits. Merkel is a head of government. But the president can still throw a State Dinner in her honor.

Mr. Obama is further paying tribute to Merkel by using the dinner venue to present her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor a president can bestow. Very few foreign leaders receive that tribute. Merkel was unable to attend the ceremony in February when the president handed out the medals to the other recipients.

"That's pretty cool," said Mrs. Obama of the medal presentation. "She's really excited about that," the first lady said of Chancellor Merkel.

"It's a testament to Chancellor Merkel's extraordinary life," said Mrs. Obama.

"Six years ago, she became the first East German and the first woman to serve as Germany's Chancellor," Mrs. Obama said of Merkel.

Video: Merkel's gift for Hillary Clinton

As for the menu, guests will be dining on a four course dinner that begins with a chopped salad made from ingredients grown in the White House Garden.

"The first course reflects a cornucopia of spring harvest," said a White House fact sheet about the salad. It's followed by an appetizer of Tuna Tartare, Spring Pea Salad, Shaved Ham and Ginger Snaps.

The entr�e is a Petite Filet with Maryland Crab Ravioli and Wild Ramp Puree.

For dessert, a German specialty: Apple Strudel with Golden Raisins and Topfen, a Farmer's Cheese from Vermont. It'll be topped with dollop of schlag, German for unsweetened whipped cream.

The dinner is capped by musical entertainment. Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will perform with 15-year old piano prot�g� George Li. He'll tour in Europe in the fall, with stops in Germany.

And singer/songwriter James Taylor will also play a few numbers. He recently was among those to receive the National Medal of Arts from President Obama.

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