By CNN Political Unit
(CNN) — In honor of the big game, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are hosting a bi-coastal themed Super Bowl party, the White House said Sunday night.
The first couple invited friends and family to enjoy Chesapeake crab cakes–a nod to the Baltimore Ravens–and San Francisco Cioppino stew with sourdough toast to celebrate the 49ers.
Also on the menus are Anchor Steam and Clipper City, two beers from the dueling cities.
Although Obama gave the traditional pre-game Super Bowl television interview Sunday from the White House, he was not asked about his pick to win.
In his Super Bowl interview last year, Obama was repeatedly asked to make his prediction on whether the New England Patriots or New York Giants would win. But Obama didn’t take the bait.
“I think this is going to be a tough game. Both teams have their weaknesses. They’re not as strong as they were I think a couple years ago. When you look at the Patriots, their defense is a little shaky. The Giants have just come back,” Obama said. “I can’t tell you who’s going to win this thing.”
The president, however, has never been shy about his passion for his hometown Chicago Bears. In 2011, he welcomed the 1986 Super Bowl champions to the White House for their long overdue photo op with the president. They did not visit the White House in 1986 because the space shuttle Challenger tragedy happened shortly after the Super Bowl.
CNN’s Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
