It’s strange to think that we were digging ourselves out of mountains of snow ONLY A MONTH AGO, but people, springtime is here (though rain beat down on my windows just yesterday), and that means that it’s cherry blossom time. For DC residents, this time of year means 700,000 extra people just chilling on the DC metro, slowing down your commute, asking you for directions to the Washington Monument – all reasons to stay inside your apartment for two weeks straight. But, if you plan on taking in the sunshine and the festivities, official events like the Cherry Blast with DJ Fatback, fireworks(!!), and daily events such as taiko and aikido are in full swing all around the city.
Otherwise, restaurateurs and bar owners are using the CHERRY Blossom name to make – wait for it – CHERRY-themed drinks and specials!! I know that sounded really sarcastic, but I'm being really serious here. Let's be serious.
We’ve summarized some of our food favorites below:
- NGA is now offering an exquisite cherry clafouti (sweet cherries and custard) to celebrate springtime, along with an assortment of cherry-flavored gelatos and sorbets. DELICIOUS.
- Kellari Taverna (1700 K St.NW)) celebrates the occasion with a Greek dessert of yogurt with sour cherry preserves, walnuts and honey, priced at $7.95 during the festival.
- Asia Nine (915 E St.NW) is preparing edamame cherry dumplings, crispy fish with cherry rice and sauce, cherry sushi and taro roti with sweet cherry sauce.
- Adour (@ St. Regis) aims to satisfy your sweet tooth with Pink Cherry Flavored Macaroons with Cherry Marmalade Filling
- Even Old Glory (in Georgetown), in all of its BBQ splendor, is showing some cherry love, adding bourbon-soaked cherries, cherry-pepper dip, and cherry-cola salmon to their menu.
- Sixth and I is doing a Holy Chef: Cherry Challenge on Thursday. Think you can make the best cherry dish, well go, do it!
For those looking to imbibe during the festival, we recommend:
- Georgia Brown's is offering up a Cherry Blossom Sangria
- Farmers and Fishers (at the Georgetown Waterfront) is celebrating the CBF with their Sour Blossom Mousse, which they describe as a "mix of pureed fresh cherries, FF’s own Rye Whisky, simple syrup and lime, topped with a heavenly white chocolate ‘mousse’ foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon." Can I get some in my mouf? Thanks.
- Mie-n-Yu of course stepped up to their Asian origins and produced the predictably named but seemngly nuclear Cherry Blossom Cocktail (Imperial Vodka, House-made Spiced Cherry Syrup, all-natural Red Bull Cola)
- Ping Pong Dim Sum – a Morello Cherry Bellini
- And the Sou'Wester @ Mandarin Oriental stepped up with not just one but two drinks– Cherry Smash Cocktail (Austrian Sour Cherry Liquor, Stoli Vanilla, Lemon juice, Cherry Lambic) and Cherry not so Smashed (non alcoholic - Muddled organic cherries, Cherry juice, Vanilla syrup, Ginger Ale).
- And BLT steak makes it extra easy to not notice you're consuming alcohol with the Chocolate Covered Cherry (cherry-infused vodka, chocolate flavored liqueur, topped with chocolate-covered cherry and cherry blossom leaf.)
These are just our ideas. Got some of your own? Let us know in the comments.
God loves a cheerful giver.
COMMENTS (0)