Washington ( CNN ) -- Tables set in apple green , ruby and gold with arrangements of roses , hydrangeas and sweet peas awaited guests to Tuesday 's White House state dinner . The place settings in fine china from three previous administrations -- Eisenhower , Clinton and George W. Bush -- are flanked by crystal glasses and five pieces of silverware . Place cards are handwritten , including two that read `` The President '' and `` Mrs . Obama . '' The first state dinner of Barack Obama 's presidency , in honor of visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , will take place in a tent set up on the White House South Lawn , with a view of the Washington Monument . Guests will sit at round tables for 10 , with the floral arrangements intended to pay homage to the state bird of India , the Indian peacock , and the dinner featuring a seasonal menu reflecting American and Indian flavors , according to the White House . The first course will be a potato and eggplant salad made with White House-grown arugula and accompanied by an onion-seed vinaigrette . Red lentil soup with fresh cheese follows , and then a choice of entrees : roasted potato dumplings with tomato chutney , chickpeas and okra for vegetarians , or green curry prawns and caramelized salsify with smoked collard greens . Dessert will be pumpkin pie tart or pear tatin with whipped cream and caramel sauce . Each course is paired with its own wine , all of American vintage . Michelle Obama worked with guest chef Marcus Samuelsson and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford to `` create a menu that reflects the best of American cuisine , continues this White House 's commitment to serving fresh , sustainable and regional food , and honors the culinary excellence and flavors that are present in Indian cuisine , '' the White House said . The herbs and lettuces were harvested from the White House Kitchen Garden started by the first lady , and honey from the White House beehive is being used to poach the dessert pears .
Dinner in honor of Indian premier will take place on White House South Lawn . The dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and the event begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Dinner reflecting Indian and American flavors uses herbs from White House garden .