Obama Indulges in Dumplings at Great Eastern Restaurant

Twenty-some years later, the Presidential Fitness Test still gives me nightmares. While I dominated the physical stuff, the sit-and-reach was always my Achilles heel. And, to be honest, I think we're all in agreement that the sit-and-reach was a complete waste of time; I mean, seriously, I was banging out a six-minute mile, about 60 sit-ups a minute and 20 pull-ups all before I had hair under my armpits, but I had to settle for the "National Physical Fitness Award" instead of the "Presidential Fitness Award" just because I couldn't touch my toes? As a 12-year-old, that didn't sit (or reach) well with me.

Maybe President Obama himself will revaluate the pointless sit-and-reach after his 14-item impromptu to-go order from Great Eastern Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco -- especially since it came only a few hours before his private dinner from one of our finest chefs, Michael Tusk of Quince Restaurant. My gut tells me his gut was a little bigger this morning when he woke up.

Here's a first look at what President Obama ordered. For the record, he knocked it out of the park here on this selection of dim sum. Mr. President, you've got a stamp of approval from us foodies here in San Francisco, please come back anytime (and please get rid of that damn sit-and-reach exercise).

#1. Mushroom Pork & Shrimp Dumplings ($2.60)
#5. Steamed Pork Buns ($2.60)
#9. Shrimp Dumplings ($3.30)
#10. Snow Pea Sprouts with Dry Scallops & Shrimps Dumplings ($3.30)
#11. Cilantro Shrimp Dumplings ($3.30)
#13. Zhiu Zhou Dumplings ($3.30)
#15. Steamed Shanghai Dumplings ($3.30)
#29. Deep Fried Red Bean Balls ($2.60)
#30. Egg Custard Tart ($2.60)
#46 Mushroom Stuffed w/Shrimp Paste ($3.30)
#52. Deep Friend Shrimps Puff ($3.70)
#55. Rice Noodle Roll Stuffed with Beef ($3.70)
#56. Rice Noodle Roll Stuffed with B.B.Q Pork ($3.70)
#62. Deep Fried Crab Claw with Shrimp Paste ($5.50)

Total: $46.80