The arrival of spring in D.C. means gorgeous weather, festive parades and of course, the long-awaited bloom of the cherry blossoms. Accordingly, local eateries have spruced up their menus with cherry-inspired, cherry-infused and cherry-garnished plates (and drinks, of course).
Read on for some of our faves:
Jaleo pays tribute to the cherry with a garden cocktail and new dishes:
- Salmón a la plancha con puré de coliflor y cerezas: seared salmon with cauliflower purée and cherries ($12)
- Panceta confitada con salsa de cereza: pork belly confit with cherry sauce ($12)
- Cordero a la brasa con salsa de cerezas 'Santa Coloma de Cervello': grilled lamb T-bones with cherry sauce ($14)
- Spanish Garden Cocktail: made with gin, chrysanthemum syrup, orange jam, lemon juice and green chartreuse ($12)
Lincoln Restaurant takes pride in their seasonal menu showcases and use of fresh local ingredients. This year, they present some special treats to complement the blossoms.
- Cherry Coke pulled pork sandwich: cherry mustard, potato roll, wilted broccoli lettuce ($13)
- Rabbit and nettle gnocchi: braised rabbit confit, smoked morels, pickled sour cherries ($15)
- Amaretto sugar-dusted doughnuts: sour cherry compote, vanilla pudding ($11)
Kick back on the outdoor patio at Teddy & The Bully Bar, where the menu and atmosphere aim to invoke the true American spirit of President Theodore Roosevelt. New cherry dishes add unique flavor to the simple American menu.
- Coffee-rubbed lamb loin: Sorghum ancient grain, cherry port reduction, minted pea puree ($18)
- Charred Coke-brined octopus: Toasted almonds, quinoa, crispy cardoons, orange mint vinaigrette ($17)
- Oven-roasted cherry clafoutis, served with white chocolate coffee ice cream ($9)
What’s dinner without drinks? Bring your springtime dining experience full circle by heading to Georgetown to indulge in concentrated cherry concoctions.
The Graham Hotel Georgetown, Café Bonaparte and Malmaison are offering specialty cocktails through April 12:
- The Cherry Graham: Captain Morgan white rum, maraschino liquer, lemon juice, hibiscus syrup, brandied cherries, garnished with a cherry ($7)
- Fiery Cherries: Cherries are soaked in brandy and set ablaze table-side, poured on top of white chocolate mousse and served with dried cherry and pistachio tuile ($8)
- The Cherry Blossom: Cognac, sour cherry infused curaçao, fresh lemon, cherry heering, garnished with infused sour cherries ($12)
- Cherry Blossom Sparkle: Plymouth Sloe Gin, housemade blossom orgeat, champagne, garnished with infused sour cherries ($12)
- The Gift: Sake, maraschino liqueur, pineapple juice, peychaud’s aromatic bitters ($12)
Culinary cocktail lab Barmini also designed several new springtime cocktails to push your tastebuds to the limit:
- Essential Pollen: Honey vodka, lemon, chamomile, egg white ($12)
- Aroma Therapy: Gin, lemon, vermouth blanc, lavender, soda ($12)
- Juana Giallo: Yellow & green chartreuse, galiano, saffron, orange, orange blossom, cream, egg ($14)
- Violette Fizz: Crème de violette, cream, gin, lemon ($16)
