Chez Dolley and James Madison. Photo: Mark F. Levisay

There's no telling how Dolley Madison, celebrated for her exceedingly proper social graces, would have felt about folks sifting through her midden.

But that's just what the archaeologists at Montpelier -- the onetime Virginia home of former President James Madison -- have been doing since 2007, when they first uncovered the (very first) First Lady's trash heap. Their findings, many of which pertain to the Madisons' culinary habits, will likely be supplemented this summer by a new excavation of the estate's North Kitchen. According to spokeswoman Beth Morrill, interpreters at the historic site are planning to use their discoveries about how and what the Madisons ate to engage a new generation of hungry visitors.

"We're teaching children about recycling," Morrill says, pointing to a recently unveiled hands-on exhibit that teaches children about the Madisons' penchant for using every part of an animal (every part except, it seems, for the shell: Dolley Madison's midden was well-stocked with discarded oyster shells, the fruit of which likely paired nicely with the Champagne she served her guests.)

Whether you voted for Obama or not, whether Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or etc., I don't think anyone denies this year's Inauguration Day is a historic event. And judging by the record crowds Washington, D.C. is expecting for Tuesday, everyone wants to get in on the celebration. President Bush had to declare a state of emergency to help cover the costs! Well, I'm declaring a state of beer-mergency (achem.) to figure out the perfect Inauguration Day beer. Let's see what we got...

Back in September, I wrote a post on Sixpoint Craft Ale's Hop Obama beer. At that time, I stated, "If Barack Obama wins the presidency, I'm guessing we might see [Hop Obama] for another four years."

Well, maybe those running the Brooklyn-based brewery should have heeded my advice: Sixpoint stopped making the beer after Election Day, and now patrons seeking to celebrate the big-O's big day have created a mini-madness to figure out who still stocks the brew. A few bars with serious foresight stashed their last remaining kegs for Election Day. And some, according to the NY Daily News, plan on charging a pretty penny for it.

Despite being Sixpoint's fastest-selling beer ever, it looks like this "Obama" is actually heading the way of George W. Bush: Don't expect it back anytime soon. With some savvy Google searching, New Yorkers can figure out where to go to get the last gulp of Hop Obama, but for the rest of us, don't dismay: We have options.

George W. Bush. In the furor of elections, he's become back-page news. And, on January 20, he'll be out of our lives for good. Whether that prospect leaves you elated or crestfallen, you can celebrate it with the "Georgie Is Outta Here!" party in a box.

The set includes paper plates, cups, napkins, balloons, and a tablecloth decorated with our 43rd president's (rather caricatured) visage, as well as games and mock Bush "to do" lists. Suitable for both Republican and Democratic parties, though the latter might appreciate it a little more.

Since today is President's Day, what could be more appropriate than featuring the memoir of Roland Mesnier, All the Presidents' Pastries: Twenty-Five Years in the White House. Mesnier was the White House's pastry chef for a quarter century and in that time he served world leaders, diplomats, celebrities and, of course, the five first families that came through the White House during his time there. He first came into his position during Jimmy Carter's time in office and served for Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, as well. He undoubtedly saw a lot, but the book doesn't get gossipy (with just a handful of minor exceptions). Instead it focuses on Mesnier's journey from a childhood in France, through London, Bermuda and finally into Washington, covering the various personalities (chefs and clients) he interacted with, foods he prepared and "major world events" that he witnessed. The book only has a dozen or so recipes, including Carter's favorite Pecan Bourbon Pie, but each one has the presidential seal of approval.

Cornell University's new president was honored with his very own ice cream flavor from the Cornell Dairy as part of a tradition that the campus-run dairy started several years ago. The new flavor is called Banana-Berry Skorton, a blend of chocolate ice cream with banana and raspberry swirls. The previous presient's flavor was known as Inauguration Swirl, and featured a mocha swirl in chocolate ice cream.

One would assume that they are taking into account the flavors that the presidents like - after all, a vanilla ice cream fan wouldn't want a chocolate ice cream. If you could choose to have an ice cream named after you, what flavor would you want it to be? Mint chocolate chip? Cannoli? Cookie dough?

During a political rally in Sullivan, Illinois in 1960, Richard Nixon ate a barbecue sandwich. He didn't quite finish it and when he went to throw it away, Steve Jenne saw his chance. He dashed in a grabbed the uneaten portion, then saved the sandwich for 46 years. He's brought it on "tours" with him across the country since that time,  carrying it in a cooler packed with dry ice. Jenne has not yet made any move to sell it on eBay, which would seem to be the most common thing to do with "trophies" of this nature.

The question remains as to why someone would take a half eaten sandwich from a presidential candidate, saving it for nearly half a century despite the fact that Nixon lost that campaign and didn't win the presidency until 1968.

[Image AP/CNN]

If you're ever lucky enough to be invited to a black-tie, four-course dinner at the White House, there are at least a few foods that are guaranteed not to make the menu. Flambés are banned, after a woman leaning over her dessert caused her fox-fur scarf to catch fire in 2001. Foods that smell very strongly and might be offensive to some guests, like pungent fish or garlic-heavy dishes, are kept at a distance. Gravies and sauces are kept to a minimum as well to decrease the likelihood of drips ruining formal attire.

The White House kitchen staff accommodates guests with food preferences and food allergies, altering menus that they plan with the first lady in accordance with the requests of guests, as specified on their RSVP cards. They report that only 1-2% of attendees will make such a request, and often these are due to allergies. The menus are planned with the religious or dietary preferences of most of the attending guests in mind, though. Some former chefs report that they tried to tailor the menu so that people with specific dietary requirements were not singled out, instead serving everyone the same dessert, perhaps flourless chocolate cakes to accommodate gluten intolerant diners.

While the White House is not a restaurant where people can order as they please, it is interesting to note the lengths to which they go to best serve the presidential diners. In some cases, it might be more sensible for guests not to wear anything that might dangle into their food, like fox-fur scarves, for example, but it is much easier for the chefs to avoid certain foods than to police the attire of guests.