Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Festival Best Eats
We are already in the middle of the month-long cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C., but the pink part is just getting started, and the blossoms are expected to be in full bloom by April 8th. Celebrate one of the capital's most beautiful spectacles with a visit to some of the blossom-inspired tasting menus at D.C.'s popular restaurants, and the culinary events that will be causing a stir until the festival closes on April 13th.
Get an authentic Japanese experience with the Grand Sake Tasting at Carnegie Library located at 801 K Street, NW on April 3rd. Tickets to taste some of the world's rarest and most expensive sake cost $150.
Of course Georgetown Cupcake will be bringing back their popular cherry blossom cupcake creation: a classic Madagascar bourbon and vanilla cupcake baked with fresh cherries and topped with a cherry infused cream cheese frosting and a fondant cherry blossom
The Hay-Adams Lafayette Restaurant, across the street from The White House, will be serving their cherry blossom menu until April 11th which will feature dishes like charred scallop sashimi with pickled cherries, toasted almonds and soya.
The famous Italian restaurant chain Carmine's will be serving cherry blossom punch and traditional zeppoles with a cherry dipping sauce for dessert. Daikaya, the ramen shop located at 705 6th St. NW, will be serving spring-inspired cherry blossom cocktails like the Bark & Bite Fizz which is Lento Kokuto brown sugar shochu (Japanese liquor made from sake dregs) and wild cherry phosphate soda garnished with a lemon peel. Jose Andres is getting into the pink spirit too and has drawn up a special menu for his tapas restaurant, Jaleo, where he will be serving, amongst other things, a wild red berry soup with Idiazábal cheese ice cream.
Get the full list of participating restaurants here
Can't pick one restaurant? Why not try several with the Official 2014 Cherry Blossom Food Tours in Old Town Alexandria, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill where you'll explore chefs' favorite dishes from around the capital based on Japanese cuisine or cherry-inspired/infused dishes.
Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi