President Obama Dines at Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo

President Obama's first order of business after landing in Tokyo was a dinner at the famed three Michelin-starred Sukiyabashi Jiro with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, The sushi restaurant was featured in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi and is known for its set menu still prepared by its octogenarian owner Jiro Ono. According to the AP, Obama is in Tokyo to "promote the U.S. as a committed economic, military and political partner" and that the dinner "was unusually informal by Japanese standards."

Reuters reports that a Japanese TV station said that Sukiyabashi Jiro was Obama's choice. The restaurant is a strange pick for discussions however as "Jiro is known to discourage conversation among his guests" and prefers "they pay full attention to the flavors of their food." According to ObamaFoodorama the dinner "lasted an hour and a half, busting the typical lightning-speed practice of the acclaimed sushi eatery." Apparently the President said, "That's some good sushi right there" as he walked out of the restaurant.

Obama has dined at other prominent sushi restaurants before, just never one with a notoriously difficult reservations. Just in case you have no presidential sway, here's how common folk can snag a seat at the famed sushi counter.

· Obama Opens Japan Trip At Famous Sushi Restaurant [AP]
· Obama and Abe to huddle at venerable Tokyo sushi counter [Reuters]
· All Barack Obama Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Sukiyabashi Jiro Coverage on Eater [-E-]