For two weeks every April, Washington celebrates its cherry blossoms. Most of the trees are found around the Tidal Basin where the pink blossoms exhibit their splendor to locals and visitors alike.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival this year takes place from March 27 to April 11. It culminates with a parade and the choosing of a Cherry Blossom Princess. 2010 is the 98th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees presented by the mayor of Tokyo to the City of Washington as a memorial of the friendship between the United States and Japan.
Many of Washington’s restaurants offer special cherry-themed dishes during the Festival. Following is a sample of what you will find this year:
Adour (923 – 16th St.NW, 202/509-8000) will be making cherry flavored macaroons with cherry marmalade filling.
Asia Nine (915 E St.NW, 202/629-4355) is preparing edamame cherry dumplings, crispy fish with cherry rice and sauce, cherry sushi and taro roti with sweet cherry sauce.
Bangkok Joe’s (3000 K St.NW, 202/333-4422) cherry special is cherry-miso glazed salmon with spring vegetables and brown rice.
B.Smith (50 Massachusetts Ave.NE, 202/289-6188) features a three course cherry blossom menu (lunch $25; dinner $35) of a salad which includes dried cherries, seared salmon or filet mignon, both with a cherry port glaze, and a cherry apricot cobbler.
Jaleo (480 Seventh St.NW, 202/628-7949) is adding a twist to gazpacho by including fresh cherries and sherry vinegar along with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers ($6.50).
Kellari Taverna (1700 K St.NW, 202/535-5274) celebrates the occasion with a Greek dessert of yogurt with sour cherry preserves, walnuts and honey, priced at $7.95 during the festival.
Legal Sea Foods (all four locations) has a dessert honoring the festival: chocolate cherry bread pudding ($5.95)
Potenza (1430 H St.NW, 202/638-4444) will be offering smoked duck arancini with cherry aioli ($9).
Ris 2275 L St.NW, 202/730-2500) will prepare a smoked paprika crusted duck smothered in a sweet and sour cherry sauce.
701 (701 Pennsylvania Ave.NW, 202/393-0701) is offering a $20 three course lunch until April 11 featuring a cherry dessert.
Zentan’s (202/379-4366) Asian inspired dishes include a chicken dumpling with almonds and cherries in a sweet and sour sauce ($10 appetizer/$20 entrée).
Zola (800 F St.NW, 202/654-2855) will feature cherry braised beef short ribs ($22) and popcorn sweet breads with cherry sweet and sour sauce ($11) during the festival.
Stay tuned for more options.
