Obamas pay $1000 for meal at Hawaii restaurant that charges $500,000 for membership

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama recently paid $1000 for a meal at a swanky restaurant that actually charges $500,000 for membership.

A Mediate reported that Obama passed on the membership at the Vintage Cave Honolulu, but he did order the price-fix menu at $295 per plate, the Washington Times reported.

The meal controversy comes after the US President continues to be riddled with criticism about the optics of his presidency, including a hastily assembled presser in mid-2014 about the Islamic State beheading of US journalist James Foley, and then moments later hitting the golf links.

Whilst explaining his actions, Obama told media that it was always a challenge when one is supposed to be on vacation because they were followed everywhere.

Obama added that there's no doubt that after having talked to the families, where it was hard for him to hold back tears listening to the pain that they were going through, after the statement that he made that he should've anticipated the optics of golf.