WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Dry-aged rib eye steak, cherry blossoms and the music of Paul Simon will welcome 200 guests who are expected to attend Wednesday's White House state dinner honoring Japan.

A lavish state dinner is a tool of U.S. diplomacy, a high honor that is doled out sparingly and only to America’s closest allies. It will be only the fifth such event in Biden’s administration; the others were for delegations from France, South Korea, India and Australia.

President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, are hosting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko, during the couple’s official visit to the United States this week. The first lady on Tuesday described a “flourishing” relationship between the U.S. and its Pacific partner as she hosted a media preview of the dinner, including the menu, decor and entertainment.

More than 200 guests with ties to both nations will dine on a first course of house-cured salmon and an entree of dry-aged rib eye steak with pepper butter, fava beans, mushrooms and onions. Dessert is salted caramel pistachio cake with a matcha ganache and cherry ice cream.

Some of Jill Biden’s favorite flowers, including roses and peonies, are being used alongside imported cherry blossoms to decorate a mix of round and rectangular tables in shades of pink, with a few of the floral centerpieces topping out at 6 feet tall.

Tables will be set with a mix of place settings representing the administrations of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush. Glass and silk butterflies will dance over the tables and the hallway on the State Floor will be outfitted to give guests the feel of walking atop a koi pond.

After dinner, Simon, who the White House said is one of the first lady’s favorite musicians, will perform a selection of his iconic songs. The Japanese prime minister is also an admirer of Simon’s work, the White House said.

Other musicians that will entertain guests after dinner are “The President’s Own” Marine Band Chamber Orchestra, the Army Rolling Strings and the Air Force Strings.

Follow NEWSnet on Facebook and X platform to get our headlines in your social feeds.

Copyright 2024 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.