White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

“Remember the First Ladies” Book Party Honors Author Anita McBride

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Anita McBride and Cafe Milano owner Franco Nuschese

Anita McBride, former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush and co-author of the forthcoming book “Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women,” was fêted at a book party and luncheon hosted by Franco Nuschese at Cafe Milano on December 13.

The gathering was marked by a toast from Nuschese to McBride, celebrating their decades-long friendship, their shared Italian heritage, and her contributions to the field of politics.

Anita McBride and Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress

During the lunch, Haddad Media CEO Tammy Haddad interviewed the guest of honor, prying her for insights and interesting facts about first ladies, and engaging the audience in a game-style Q&A. “When was the term ‘first lady’ first used?” asked Haddad. The question stumped the crowd but McBride, of course, had the answer: “At Dolley Madison’s funeral in 1849, President Zachary Taylor called her ‘the first lady of the land’ and the term stuck.”

At the end of the conversation, attendees raised a glass to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November at the age of 96.

Anita McBride and Tammy Haddad toast the late Rosalynn Carter

Guests included Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden; former Secretary of Transportation and Labor Elizabeth Dole; Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason; Rep. Debbie Dingell; CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell; Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association; Susan Page, Washington bureau chief for USA Today; jewelry designer Ann Hand, whose creations were famously worn by Hillary Clinton; Patricia Harrison, CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; Camille Johnston, former communications director to First Lady Michelle Obama; former U.S Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall and many other distinguished figures from media, politics, and diplomacy.

Elizabeth Dole, Former Secretary of Labor and Transportation, Anita McBride and CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell

McBride is currently an executive-in-residence at American University, where she directs the First Ladies Initiative. She is also co-author of the first-ever textbook on the role of the first lady – “U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies.”

Cafe Milano is ‘Washington’s most sought-after restaurant’ —The Wall Street Journal

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Cafe Milano on Prospect Street in Georgetown. (Photo by Conor Harrigan)

Georgetown’s Cafe Milano, which celebrated 30 years in November, was hailed as a restaurant where “like at Cheers, everybody knows your name” and “on any given evening, the place is jammed with the politically influential and those who desire to be near them” in a July 6 Wall Street Journal article.

“Its list of regulars includes so many prominent Democrats and Republicans that in an era of fierce political divides, owner Franco Nuschese describes this neutral turf as ‘Switzerland,'” wrote reporter Annie Linskey.

Cafe Milano owner Franco Nuschese with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer a the restaurant’s 30th anniversary celebration in November 2022. (Photo by Dan Swartz)

Indeed, diners from both ends of the political spectrum frequent Milano. President Biden dined there in June, and former President Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway and former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich attended the restaurant’s 30th anniversary celebration in November, as did Dr. Anthony Fauci, Sen. Joe Manchin, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Dionne Warwick, Doug E. Fresh, Fox News anchor Bret Baier, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Kaitlan Collins and then-CNN CEO Chris Licht.

Franco Nuschese is honored by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser at Cafe Milano’s 30th anniversary celebration in November 2022. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Haddad Media)

In the article, Invariant CEO Heather Podesta calls the establishment “the grown-ups table in Washington.”

And it’s a place where the food is always delicious. Some of our favorites include Capellini Ann Hand, the panzanella salad, eggplant parmesan and Wagyu short ribs

Franco Nuschese Hosts World’s Leading Virus Doctors

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Cafe Milano hosts Global Virus Network Annual Dinner

Cafe Milano hosts Global Virus Network Annual Dinner December 10, 2014

While Washington’s 1%ers enjoyed Cafe Milano’s legendary Branzino and Wagyu beef on the main floor, upstairs in a private room top doctors and health care professionals from around the world celebrated Time Magazine’s Man Of The Year Award that went to their colleagues and friends fighting Ebola.

The Annual Dinner of the Global Virus Network brings together the virologists who work with countries to create and execute protocols to protect and prepare the world’s populations from viruses that quickly spread. As alway, Dr. Robert Gallo and Dr. Billy Hall, GVN co-founders, updated the crowd on progress. Other GVN guests included Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, President of GVN; Tim Moynahan, Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Dr. Erica Saphire, Co-Director of the GVN Center of Excellence at The Scripps Research Institute and one of the leading researchers on Ebola in the United States.

Mathew Evins, a member of the Board of Directors, moderated questions from audience that included Gina Adams, Corporate Vice President Government Affairs, Fedex, and member of the Board of Directors of GVN, the Washington Post’sRoxanne Roberts and FishbowlDC’s new editor Damon Marx.

Kennedy Secret Service Agent, Clint Hill, Relives Nov. 22, 1963 at Cafe Milano

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Clint Hill at Cafe Milano

Franco Nuschese hosted one of the most memorable people in modern history at his Georgetown restaurant, Cafe Milano, on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Clint Hill is the Secret Service agent, assigned to Jacquie Kennedy, who jumped on the back of President Kennedy’s car when he was shot in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. Franco Nuschese introduced Mr. Hill and co-author Lisa McCubbin, to talk about the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of President John Kennedy and their new book, Five Days in November. He told the story to the rapt crowd that included White House aides Jeremy Bernard, Ellie Schafer, and the State department’s Evan Ryan. Media stars Jim Lehrer, Wolf Blitzer, Polson Kanneth, Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus lined up to shake the hand of the man who tried in vain to save President Kennedy’s life. The Vice President’s son, Hunter Biden, former congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, former protocol chiefs Ambassador Lloyd Hand and Lucky Roosevelt, and Diane Jones watched the video of the iconic photos as Mr. Hill described each second.

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The crowd was meserized by his personal heartfelt recitation of that day and the days after. Agent Hill was assigned to protect Mrs. Kennedy and he demonstrated some of the same grace that she showed the world on that terrible day.

He told the story of how Mrs. Kennedy had asked the secret service agents to teach John John how to salute and how he would not use his right hand. Before the funeral a Marine colonel was asked to help entertain the young boy and he taught him to salute with his right hand a his father’s funeral, a moment no one can ever forget. The president and first lady promised John John that he would have a birthday day party when they returned from Dallas, so after the funeral she gathered their close family and had a party for him. Mr. Hill has not given interviews prior to this year and the pain and suffering he felt all these years was palpable to the respectful crowd.

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Global Virus Network Party Hosted by Cafe Milano’s Franco Nuschese

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Only Franco Nuschese could bring together such an esteemed crowd to talk about global health concerns. At his fabulous home in Northwest Washington he brought together top scientists and advocates at a reception for the Global Virus Network. Dr. Robert Gallo, who co-discovered the AIDS virus and is also the co-founder and scientific director of the GVN, gave remarks to help the crowd understand the importance of the GVN and its funding.

In welcoming the group, Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, President of GVN, noted that “the toll of viral diseases goes beyond human health, making enormous impacts on economies, as in the case of SARS and HIV/AIDS as only two examples, and in national security, when put in terms of military preparedness. We cannot think of viral disease only with respect to the health sector.”

Surrounded by GVN Board Chairman Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and new board members including Dr. William Haseltine, Dr. Zaid Al Siksek and Gina Adams among other members of the board. Dr. Gallo warned the crowd of the importantance of having a non-governmental private network of scientist who can coordinate a Response to viruses as they come up.

Recommending “centers of excellence” with top virologists to immediately respond and coordinate information for viral threats. Kennedy Townsend related the importance of giving to a group like the GVN. “It is a global network,” she told the crowd. “These scientists talk to one another and learn form one another.” She recalled at a GVN event when scientists from Michigan met a group from Japan and learned of the similarities between two viruses each team thought were one-of-a-kind.

Guests included Ambassador Louis Moreno, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, Daryl Edwards on behalf of the Australian Ambassador along with Washington media types like Steve Clemons, Jim Pinkerton, Janet Donovan and Tammy Haddad enjoying a reception buffet with Mary Katherine Steel, Ellie Schafer, Heather Rothenberg and Heather Baker.

You can watch select parts of the program below:

You can learn more about GVN here.

Photos from Cafe Milano's Inaugural Bash

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In case you were with us during Inauguration Day, Cafe Milano was still in full swing on Monday after Sunday’s Bipartisan Brunch. Hosted by
Robert Johnson (The RJL Companies), Gina Adams (FedEx) and Milano’s own Franco Nuschese. The Hill mentioned the event in their wrap-up of Inaugural activity. Georgetown Dish was there to hear Franco give a few Inaugural words to the packed room:

“Earlier today, we heard President Obama’s soaring words of inspiration. We now look hopefully for the most strident of the election rhetoric to fade and for all of our leaders of both parties to join in maximizing the greatness and opportunities of our country.”

Check out the slideshow above to see who else was at the Georgetown soiree.

The Starts Align at WH Correspondents' Dinner Garden Brunch

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Georgetown was the center of the action today as Hollywood stars Lindsay Lohan, Matthew Morrison, and Chase Crawford joined political stars Valerie Jarrett, Gov. Jerry Brown and Haley Barbour and media hot shots Willie Geist, Greta van Susteren, and Arianna Huffington to support the White Ribbon Alliance and CURE Epilepsy at the 19th annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch.

Lindsay Lohan arrived with Greta van Susteren & John Coale, Kris Jenner and lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley and guests lined up to meet her and shake hands.  After listening to the speeches, Lohan wowed the young volunteers who lined up for photos.

Hosted by Tammy Haddad, Kevin Sheekey, Hilary Rosen, Clarke Camper, Mark Ein, Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, David Adler, Steve McMahon and Franco Nuschese, guests strolled through Ein’s home and marveled at all the star power.

Spotted in the crowd were Bob Barnett and Elle Macpherson, Kris Jenner, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington, Tim Daly and Woody Harrelson.

Hosain Rahman from Jawbone donated super-hot Jamboxes to anyone who made a significant donation to White Ribbon Alliance or CURE.  Elle Macpherson used her supermodel moxy to quiet the crowd as she, Rosario Dawson and Willie Geist presented the Jamboxes to the lucky donors including Bret Baier, Steve Schmidt and Steve Clemons.

Also honored at the event were Steve and Jean Case for their innovation and philanthropy and Susan Axelrod for her tireless work to find a cure for epilepsy.  GOP power house Alex Castellanos moved the crowd with his speech about Lauren Axelrod’s struggle with relentless seizures.  Both Susan and David Axelrod had tears in their eyes as Alex recounted the family’s battle with their daughter’s illness.

Steve and Jean Case accepted their award from NYSE Euronext’s Clarke Camper with a beautiful reminder that everyone has the power to help people in need.

You can watch the program from the Garden Brunch tonight on C-SPAN prior to the live broadcast of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Italy’s President Honors Café Milano’s Franco Nuschese

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Franco Nuschese with Arianna Huffington at her Washington, DC book party October 2010
Franco Nuschese with Arianna Huffington at her Washington, DC book party October 2010

The owner of Café Milano and president of Georgetown Entertainment Group has a new award to add to a long list he’s received, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Franco Nuschese was born in Minori, Italy on the Amalfi Coast and has spent more than 20 years building a successful business and working to improve the lives of people across the globe. Now, Nuschese can be called “Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana,” the third of six ranks in the organization which is comparable to Britain’s Order of the British Empire.

“Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” is a prestigious honor conferred by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for promoting a positive image of Italians around the world. Past honorees include designer Giorgio Armani, race car legend Mario Andretti, tennis star Francesca Schiavone, and astronaut Dr. Umberto Guidoni. Nuschese was presented with his new title December 13th at a dinner hosted by the Italian Ambassador to the United States, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, at Villa Firenze, the Italian residence in Washington, D.C.

Guests included Nuschese’s son Gianfranco, a Georgetown University student; Supreme Court Justice and Mrs. Antonin Scalia; General and Mrs. Jim Jones; Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge; UAE Ambassador and Mrs. Yousef Al Otaiba; BET co-founder Bob Johnson; and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“I am grateful and humbled by this honor,” said Nushcese. “I will accept it as a tribute to my father, Giuseppe, who several weeks ago died in Italy after a long and wonderful life.”

When Nuschese opened Café Milano in 1992, it quickly became the place to spot politicos and celebrities alike. In 2008, Nuschese was so moved by being chosen to host a luncheon for the pope during his visit to Washington, D.C., he wrote about it for The Washington Post. The event for His Holiness Benedetto XVI happened to coincide on the pope’s 81st birthday and Nuschese left no detail unattended. President Bill Clinton was such a favorite regular at Café Milano, that Nuschese and legendary producer Quincy Jones were chosen to speak when Clinton was honored in May with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service at the Sons of Italy Foundation’s 2010 NELA Gala.

Much like the former president, Nuschese has devoted himself to public service. He is the director of international relations for the Robert C. Gallo Foundation for AIDS and Virus Research, and is a member of the boards of the University of Maryland’s Institute of Human Virology, the Afghanistan World Foundation, the foundation for Georgetown University Hospital, the Washington National Opera, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Congratulazioni, Commendatore Nuschese!

LIVE: Arianna Huffington's Book Party

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WHC Insider exclusive coverage of the Arianna Huffington book party to celebrate her new book Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning The Middle Class and Betraying The American Dream, co-presented by Hilary Rosen, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale; Anita Dunn, Sally Susman, Alex Slater, Franco Nuschese, and Tammy Haddad. MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan will MC the program, which will include special guest Seth Reams, founder of WeveGotTimeToHelp.org.

Don’t wait for the C-SPAN book party coverage when you can follow WHC Insider on Twitter and watch it below the jump,  live , with us tonight starting at 6:30 pm.

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Arianna Huffington's Book Party Tonight

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W:WIE hosts Donna Karan, Sarah Brown, and Arianna Huffington

WHC Insider exclusive coverage of the Arianna Huffington book party to celebrate her new book Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning The Middle Class and Betraying The American Dream, co-presented by Greta Van Susteren and John Coale; Anita Dunn, Sally Susman, Alex Slater, Franco Nuschese, and Tammy Haddad. MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan will MC the program, which will include special guest Seth Reams, founder of WeveGotTimeToHelp.org.

Don’t wait for the C-SPAN book party coverage when you can watch it live with us tonight starting at 6:30 pm.