Rahm Emanuel: Spotted Eating Fish

From the syndicated series of Stuff My Editor Won't Print, Vol. 1:

The scene is familiar to Georgetown residents. Black SUV--with or without police escort--parallel parks in front of Cafe Milano, Morton's Steakhouse, Clyde's of Georgetown, etc. Secret Service scouts the place, and then the power meal begins. The neighborhood prides itself on being imperiously nonplussed by all this bother.

Rahm Emanuel has a Bonapartian air about him, from his diminutive size to the larger-than-life intensity whirring through his stride. Even so, few in the Euro-cool interior of Georgetown's Hook restaurant were aware that they were rubbing blazers with one of the most influential men in the Free World. "Oh, comeon, that's Rahm Emanuel--he's controversial," one diner cajoled his blank-eyed companions.

Dave Chappelle's frequent visits make a much bigger scene. The last time the comedian dined at Hook, it was with comedian Anthony Brown and a "Sheikh Ahmed"--leaving a $5,000 tab and the distinct impression among management that they'd taken a mid-course break to "hot-box" the Sheikh's freshly-bought Mercedes SLK. ("I'm rich, bitch!")

Rahm is a stoic, taking decaf over Dom Pérignon.

"I want to see this economy producing things again, investing in things again," Rahm proclaimed over a plate of pan-seared Barramundi. Indeed, so too would Hook's Executive Chef Jonathan Seningen. Since 2006, the Maryland Eastern Shore native has been leading Hook to the vanguard of the sustainable seafood trend, sourcing his fish and produce from local farmers and fishermen in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania (Rahm's Barramundi, native to Australia, was sourced from an environmentally-friendly fish farm in western Massachusetts). Right across M Street, Clyde's of Georgetown has been partnering with local farmers since the 1970s. Hook's menu changes every day to reflect whatever sustainable fish are in season and available (so far, over 100 different varieties), and both restaurants offer a constantly-changing assortment of seasonal offerings. No word yet whether Michelle Obama's White House victory tomatoes will make it into Rahm's next meal.

Secret Service Agent Cliff Johnson kept one eye on his mark, the other on his Blackberry, and his fork in a plate of less fancy, but still "sustainable," popcorn shrimp from Hook-owned Tackle Box. When asked who Rahm's two companions were, he shrugged: "I have no idea, my Blackberry just says 'dinner with Steve,'" adding, "Obama's shuffled his cabinet so much in the past month, you'll have to catch me in four years before I can remember them all." He then turned back to deliver more war stories to his giddy audience of sous chef and manager.

At 9:30, Rahm apologized to "Steve" and his companion for having to leave early, and was escorted by his head-taller security detail back into the night-black SUV from whence he came--to get on making this economy produce things again.