More from our Cherry Blossom Guide:
Cherry Blossom Picnic Guide
Guide to Sake
Send Us Your Cherry Blossom Photos

When our city blooms pink and white, restaurants can’t help but become part of the celebration. Every year, many add something cherry-blossom-inspired to their menus. Last week, we got a chance to nibble on the offerings at a tasting preview at Asia Nine. Our favorites? We liked Palette’s appetizer of cured salmon with Bing cherries and its Champagne/cherry/sake float. TenPenh’s hamachi sashimi and Ahi-tuna tartare served with cherry/soy vinaigrette was the perfect pairing of salty and sweet flavors. And don’t miss the cherry-flavored pink macaroons that are currently winding down meals at Adour.

Interested in sampling some yourself? Here’s what restaurants are offering during the two-week festival.

Adour
The complimentary macaroons offered after each meal turn cherry-flavored.

Aria Trattoria
Cherry pie ($8) is reimagined as an almond fruitcake with cherries.

Art and Soul
The Cherry Blossom cocktail ($10) is a refreshing mix of St. Germaine liqueur, sparkling rose, and cherry reduction.

Bangkok Joe’s
A three-course, prix-fixe menu ($25.09 at lunch, $35.09 at dinner) offers a smoked-shrimp dumpling with cherry-lime cream sauce; broiled salmon filet with a spicy-cherry/basil sauce; and warm cherry custard. There will also be frozen cherry bellinis ($8).

Beacon Bar & Grill
Beacon Hotel, 1715 Rhode Island Ave., NW; 202-872-1126.
This eclectic American restaurant is serving an appetizer of a cherry wonton with a short rib and ginger sauce ($12). A cherry martini ($5) is made with Monin cherry syrup and a splash of St. Germaine.

B. Smith’s
This Southern-themed restaurant is serving a spring garden salad with sun-dried cherries and candied walnuts ($9); grilled pork tenderloin with a sweet cherry glaze ($28); and chocolate-cherry tuxedo cake ($9).

Cafe Mozu
Dessert is a miniature chocolate-coated cone with warm cherry-and-Kirsch compote, cherry sorbet, and Minus 8 vinegar ($8).

Domaso Trattoria Moderna
This Italian spot’s chocolate-cherry napoleon is layered with dark chocolate, sweet and sour cherries, and a light cherry mousse ($8). The Bubbly Blossom cocktail ($11) is a mix of Prosecco and Campari poured over orange zest, topped with cherries, and garnished with a candied orange slice.

Fahrenheit
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St., NW; 202-912-4110.
The prix-fixe dinner menu ($49) includes a choice of scallion-and-cilantro miso soup or ahi tuna with seaweed; sea bass with lemongrass/ginger broth or beef teriyaki with vegetables and rice; and warm cherry-chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream or cherry clafoutis.

Firefly
Hotel Madera, 1310 New Hampshire Ave., NW; 202-861-1310.
This casual Modern American restaurant near Dupont Circle is featuring two special cocktails. The Sakura ($12.50) is cherry vodka, elderflower liquor, fresh grapefruit, and white wine; the Cherry Bomb ($9) blends cherry brandy with sparkling wine. Hanami Ale ($6), a Smuttynose Brewery seasonal beer made from cherry juice, is also on offer.

Fyve Restaurant Lounge
The Ritz’s dining room will offer a cherry parfait ($15) with layers of foie-gras mousse, Amarena-cherry marmalade, Meyer-lemon cream, and toasted almond.

Georgia Brown’s
950 15th St., NW; 202-393-4499
Ma Brown’s bourbon-and-chocolate cherry cobbler ($9.95) is a cherry compote with oatmeal-and-sugar topping, brandy-orange infusion, and cherry-vanilla ice cream.