Written by Anita
March 27, 2010
Spring is finally in the air—which means that cherry blossoms are blooming in the DC area and cherry-themed items are popping up in DC-area restaurants. More than 70 area restaurants will celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival (which runs today through April 11) by featuring “cherry pick” entrees, desserts, and cocktails. Here’s your guide to some of our fruity favorites.
Asia Nine Bar and Lounge’s edamame cherry dumplings are a great way to start any meal. Crispy pockets of diced edamame and chicken are bathed in a sweet cherry sauce. B. Smith’s delicate seared salmon makes for a perfect entree—moist, flaky salmon drizzled with a thick, rich cherry port glaze and served atop a crisp fresh mix of julienned radicchio, leeks, carrots, and sugar snap peas. But no meal is ever complete without dessert! BlackFinn American Saloon’s sour cherry cobbler is a homey blend of thick crust and gooey sweet-and-sour filling—just like grandma used to make (okay, maybe not my grandma!) Wash it all down with a sour blossom mousse cocktail from master mixologist Jon Arroyo at Farmers & Fishers or its sister restaurant, Founding Farmers. This deep crimson concoction topped with airy white chocolate foam* is potent enough to be enjoyed as a cocktail yet tasty enough to qualify as dessert!
For a full list of what the DC dining scene will be offering, click here. And don’t forget to catch some of the festival’s great entertainment and cultural events, including the opening ceremony today, the fireworks display on April 3, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade and Japanese street festival on April 10. Take your pick!
*Inspired to make this at home? Here’s the recipe!
Sour Blossom Mousse
1 oz cherry puree
½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 ¾ oz FF rye whiskey
1 oz simple syrup
2-3 dashes Mole bitters
½ oz ruby port
Mix all the ingredients and shake. Strain the mixture into a champagne coupe and garnish with cinnamon mousse foam (a foam of fresh ground cinnamon with white chocolate) and freshly grated white chocolate.
