Dining Table

WASHINGTON On the last Friday in March, President Barack Obama summoned leaders of the banking industry to the White House , where they gathered around a mahogany table in the sumptuous State Dining Room. On this day there was not a piece of ...

The waiting staff were attentive, promptly serving a complimentary pre-appetizer of pakoras (battered, deep-fried veggies), potato patties, vinegar-soaked onions, lemon and green chili achaar (hot pickles) and mint chutney. My dinner companion was ...