What Restaurants Are Doing to Celebrate the Cherry Blossoms

By Elizabeth McNamara

Comments () | Published March 31, 2009

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.

Tags: Dining Guides