Isn't That Sweet: Bammy's Special Date Night On the Taxpayer Dime

Just imagine the howls of indignity from the media if George W. Bush shut down midtown Manhattan in the midst of a recession to take Laura to a Broadway show.

We'd never hear the end of it. But King Obama and Queen Worf get to do as they please, and the suckers in New York just lap it up.

The first couple left their girls, Sasha and Malia, behind at the White House yesterday afternoon, taking two helicopters and a small Air Force jet to make their way to Manhattan.

The Obamas were dressed to the nines -- Michelle in a sleeveless, black cocktail dress adorned with fringe, a pair of low, strappy heels and a turquoise clutch; and the president in a dark suit and white shirt, no tie.

The first stop after touch ing down at JFK was a meal at a low-key, but elegant, Greenwich Village restaurant, Blue Hill, which boasts farm fresh, locally grown dishes.

The Obamas were tucked into an out-of-the- way corner table where they enjoyed a multi- course feast specially prepared by the chef. They washed down the fine fare with wine, said a fellow diner, who also noticed Michelle relaxing with a couple of martinis.

Photographers were kept blocks away be hind barricades for the first couple's privacy.

"We left them alone the entire night," said Blue Hill diner Rachael Levit, of Manhattan. "Nobody asked for autographs or took any pictures. They were laughing and talking and seemed like they had a genuinely good time."

Oh, if you'd like to know how much this cost you, don't bother asking.

Taxpayers footed the bill for the big night on the town, which included a total of at least $24,000 for the three aircraft used to ferry the Obamas, aides and reporters to New York and back. Dinner costs and orchestra seat tickets -- at $96.50 apiece -- were paid by the Obamas.

Can we see a receipt?