Restaurants Serve Up Cherry Picks
Many of Washington, DC’s most celebrated chefs will cook up a little something extra during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 27 through April 11, with the return of the popular Cherry Picks. To pay tribute to the famous blooms, chefs from some of the hottest restaurants in town will serve cherry-inspired dishes, including original entrees, decadent desserts and even some creative cocktails.

This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Cherry Picks include:

• 1789, featuring Executive Sous Chef Brian Stickel’s Spanish Duck Three Ways
• Michel Richard Citronelle, featuring Executive Chef Michel Richard’s Cherry Vacherin
• Charlie Palmer Steak, featuring Executive Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Tasting of Spring Cherries
• DC Coast, featuring Executive Chef Jeff Tunks’ Spinach Salad with grilled radicchio, toasted pine nut, sun-dried cherry balsamic vinaigrette; Pan Roasted Duck Breast on sweet potato and wild rice pancake with green peppercorn cherry sauce; and Cherry Almond Tart with sour cream ice cream and kirsch vanilla bean syrup
• Galileo, featuring Executive Chef Roberto Donna’s Cured Breast of Duck with Red Wine Chocolate Cherry Sauce served with Fried Cauliflower and Potato Tart
• Marcel’s, featuring Executive Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Grilled Hudson Valley Foie Gras with a Bing Cherry Compote in a tarragon gastric and Bing Cherry and Belgian Bread Pudding
• The Oceanaire Seafood Room, featuring Executive Chef Rob Klink’s Pan-Seared Japanese Sea Scallops with sun-dried cherry sauce
• Palette, featuring Foie Gras & Oxtail Terrine with Dried Cherries and Blood Orange Syrup
• Poste Moderne Brasserie, featuring Executive Chef Jay Comfort’s Brandied Black Pepper Crottin with Griottines and Brioche
• Potowmack Landing, featuring Executive Chef Duane Keller’s Spring Trio
• Ristorante Tosca, featuring Executive Chef Cesare Lanfranconi’s Sweet Pea Ravioli with Chive Blossoms
• The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar at the Kennedy Center, featuring Executive Chef Ed Milan's Cherry-Chocolate Velvet Dessert
• Signatures, featuring Executive Chef Morou’s Juniper Duck Confit with aged cherry quinoa salad
• Taberna del Alabardero, featuring Executive Chef Santi Zabaleta’s Almond Pastry with Brandy Cherry Compote and Black Cherry Ice Cream
• The Willard Room, featuring Executive Chef Denis Soriano’s three-course Cherry Blossom Lunch
• Zola, featuring Executive Chef Frank Morales’ Braised Bison Short Ribs with mustardy spatzle, baby spinach, and tart cherries.

Cherry Blossom-infused cocktails include the Awesome Cherry Blossom (Stoli strawberry and raspberry vodkas, Cointreau, lime juice and cranberry) at Bar Rouge; the Helix Lounge’s Cherry Bomb, featuring a mix of Stoli Raz, Sprite and lime juice; the Knotted Cherry Stem (cherry brandy, Tanqueray, sweet and sour mix, 7-Up and cranberry juice) at the Roof Terrace Restaurant and Bar; and the Asian-influenced Gin Blossom (Tanqueray, Cointreau, and grapefruit with a hint of grenadine) at Topaz Bar.

A complete listing of Cherry Picks can be found at www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. Many recipes are also listed for those who want to re-create the Cherry Picks in their own kitchens.

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Rave Reviews for New Restaurants
With new restaurants opening in the nation’s capital every month, there is always a new place to wake up tired tastebuds:

Rosa Mexicano: New York transplant Rosa Mexicano has opened its doors in Washington, DC’s popular Penn Quarter neighborhood, across from the MCI Center. The restaurant features tasty Mexican fare along with specialty pomegranate margaritas.
Penn Quarter – 575 7th St. NW. 202-783-5522.

Ginger Cove: Take a mini-vacation at Ginger Cove, the latest project of noted Caribbean restaurateurs Sharon and Jimmie Banks. Decorated in palm-fronds and serving West Indian fare, Ginger Cove offers a respite in the busy Penn Quarter neighborhood. Ginger Reef is scheduled to open soon on the lower level with a more elegant, upscale menu and atmosphere.
Penn Quarter – 822 E. St. NW. 202-248-7733.

Palette: The Madison Hotel opened Palette in January, as part of a major renovation to the entire hotel. The restaurant celebrates the artistry of food with a rotating display of art from private collections.
Downtown – 15th & M Sts. NW. 202-862-1600. www.palettedc.com.

Sette Osteria: Providing a casual alternative to celebrity hotspot Café Milano, Sette Osteria opened in March. The owners of Café Milano launched the sister restaurant in the former site of the Janus movie theater. Sette serves up Italian food and a large patio area for al fresco dining.
Dupont Circle – 1666 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-483-3070.

Komi: This Dupont Circle eatery is serving up a mix of American and Italian fare. Komi takes its name from a beach on the Greek Isles, bringing a touch of Mediterranean atmosphere to the dining room. Diners cap off their meals with homemade fruit lollipops.
Dupont Circle – 1509 17th St. NW. 202-332-9200.

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