Washington, Dc Restaurants Enliven The Cherry Blossom Festival With Cherry-inspired Dishes And Unique Culinary Promotions

Several of Washington, DC's best chefs join in the cultural celebration through taste. From March 29 - April 13, 2008; Washington, DC blooms with The Cherry Blossom Festival. The 2008 festival marks the 96th celebration of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, DC in 1912. The festival brings a wonderful spirit of cultural bridge to the city, and some of Washington, DC's finest restaurants and chefs are turning out unique culinary promotions and dishes to enliven the celebration.

Nage Restaurant

Nage restaurant in Scott Circle is a welcoming corner eatery with a fun menu of creative takes on classic comfort foods. Diners are directed to the large chalkboard which Executive Chef Kevin Reading calls his "culinary playground." The chalkboard features changing specials that live out market availability and the Chef's mood. Throughout the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Chalkboard will feature a rotating repertoire of Chef Reading's innovative cherry-inspired dishes.

On the Chalkboard

Duck confit and cherry empanada with caramelized shallots

Chilled cherry soup with creme fraiche and cinnamon

Cherry stuffed pork roulade with peter herring

Fresh oysters with a cherry mignonette

Cocoa seared foie gras atop brioche french toast a la mode with bacon cherry ice cream

Sweet Libations

Crisp Cherry Cooler - muddled cherries with mint, gin, and a hint of peach on ice

Cherry Bomb Martini - vodka, lime and white cranberry with a kirsch cherry liqueur sinker

Sundried Cherry Collins - sundried cherries, sundried cherry simple syrup, vodka, and soda

Nage is located at 1600 Rhode Island Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. Reservations may be made by calling the restaurant directly at (202) 448-8005 or online at www.opentable.com. Additional restaurant information is available by visiting the restaurant's website at www.nage.bz.


D'Acqua Ristorante

At D'Acqua Ristorante, Naples-native Chef Enzo Febbraro is enlivening the festival with a special dish of risotto with cherry, mascarpone and jumbo shrimp. Additionally, throughout the duration of the festival, happy hour guests at D'Acqua will receive complimentary grappa-soaked cherries drenched in D'Acqua's signature chamomile infused grappa.


Reservations for D'Acqua may be made by calling the restaurant at (202) 783-7717. D'Acqua is located on 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. Additional restaurant information is available by visiting the restaurant's website at www.dacquadc.com


Mio Restaurant

Foie Gras for a good cause. At Mio Restaurant, Executive Chef Stefano Frigerio has whipped up a signature cherry-inspired dish with exceptional flavor, and a greater good. Throughout the festival, Mio will be offering a signature dish of Foie-gras ballotine with dried cherry sauce and corn bread. During the festival, 50% of the $15.00 price of the dish will be donated to the National Cherry Blossom Festival's NPS Cherry Tree Replacement Fund.

Mio is a newly opened restaurant in Washington, DC's chic Midtown neighborhood. Mio serves American cuisine with Mediterranean twists under the direction of Executive Chef Stefano Frigerio. Located at 1110 Vermont Avenue, NW in Washington, DC, reservations may be made by calling the restaurant at (202) 955-0075 or online at www.opentable.com. Menus and additional information are available by visiting the restaurant's website at www.miorestaurant.com.

Butterfield 9

Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Manabu Inoue, Butterfield 9's acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef has a special appr