Thanks to snowcrete and the deep freeze that followed, the cherry blossoms are taking a little longer to reach peak bloom this year. The National Park Service predicts March 29-April 1 is the sweet spot, although the National Cherry Blossom Festival gets underway March 20-April 12, which means cherry blossom mania is already in bloom. Local restaurants are celebrating the sakura with all manner of pink and fruity specials—but get them soon. They, like their namesake flowers, will be gone in about a month.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
The Cherry Blossom Doughnut returns! Available now through April 13, it features a tart cherry jam filling and is topped with a cream cheese glaze and finished with a chocolate cherry blossom branch decoration. Boxes of a dozen Cherry Blossom Mini Doughnuts are also available for online pre-order only. 4005 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Colada Shop
Founder Daniella Senior‘s Cuban restaurant chainlet will be mixing Blossom Coladas on March 19-April 12. Made with white rum, pineapple, coconut cream and dragonfruit, they give the season a Latin flair. 2811 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 244 19th Court, Arlington (National Landing); and 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Flore in Bloom High TeaÂ
Flore Café and Oasis Sushi & Listening Bar, both part of the Sisters Group of restaurants, have teamed up for a 14-course special tea in celebration of cherry blossoms. It includes Lobster Salad Marie-Rose with poached lobster with champagne sauce and caviar, a Smoked Salmon Crêpe Roll with chive fromage blanc and trout roe, Sakura Cherry Scones, Hibiscus Guava Crème Brûlée, and two “mystery bites” curated by Oasis. The tea ($89) is available now by reservation at Flore and will be available at Oasis starting March 21. Flore, 7735 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, and Oasis, 2940 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Maman
Always bedecked in florals, this Mosaic District eatery is embracing its first cherry blossom season with special food and drink March 12-April 12. Sip on the Cherry Blossom Matcha Latte, made with sakura syrup and a shot of green matcha tea, and eat the Cherry Blossom Croissant Cube. It’s filled with cherry blossom jam and topped with torched meringue and an edible flower. 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
Get your sip on at the Cherry Blossom Tea, featuring flower-inspired tea sandwiches, pastries, warm scones and loose-leaf teas—plus a glass of sparkling wine. Younger guests can enjoy a cup of cocoa instead, and they get a special teddy bear to take home. Reserve a spot on Fridays-Sundays, March 13-April 12, noon-3:30 p.m. The cost is $88 or $55 for child ages 4-12. 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Pentagon City)
The Naisho Room
Hidden away at the Capital One Center, this cocktail lounge is going blush with limited-time dishes and rare Japanese spirits. From March 16-April 5, order Sakura Masu Nigiri, a rare Sakura‑season cherry trout, and the Kaki & Mozuku Shooter. Cocktails include the Sakura Whisper, made with blossom-infused gin and lemon juice, and the Toki Black Highball. Starting March 11, you can reserve a spot at the Japanese ’80s Pop Turntable Listening Event on April 1, 4:30-7:30 p.m. 1825 Capital One Drive, Tysons
Wren
From March 16-April 5, unwind with the Hanami Bento Box at this upscale izakaya. It’s got king salmon and ikura chirashi, Tokyo Chicken, a mixed greens salad and a mochi donut. 1825 Capital One Drive, Tysons
TaquerÃa Xochi
Get a Mexican twist on the Japanese flower with the Cielo Sakura, a spritz with tequila, Aperol, rose, grapefruit and sakura, or the Sakura Paleta, a popsicle with floral notes and white chocolate. Both are available March 18-April 30. 1450 Eads St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Cheesetique
There’s nothing cheesy about celebrating the DMV’s favorite flower. At this fromage-forward restaurant, the special seasonal menu, available March 20-April 12, includes an Umami Cheese Board with fresh chèvre, triple crème brie, blue cheese, preserved mussels, nori, rice crackers, pickled green beans, pickled ginger and sour cherry compote. Or wrap your fingers around the Bloomy Bliss Grilled Cheese, made with brie, sour cherry compote and toasted walnuts. Wash it down with the Maraschino Circus, made with Luxardo Sour with a pink cotton candy cloud. 2411 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Caboose Commons
March 20-April 12, the combo brewery, restaurant and coffeehouse on the edge of Mosaic has concocted a cherry blossom cocktail. The Sakura Sipper is made with gin, cherry blossom powder, fresh lime juice, guava nectar and lemon-lime soda. Get it before it’s off the menu. 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Immigrant Food
Japanese-American chef Ben Murray is celebrating the blossoms March 20-April 20 with a Fresas con Crema Sundae, made with fresh and dried strawberries, sorbet, jam, sweet labne cream and pistachio) and the Fresas con Crema cocktail, a mix of vodka, strawberries, coconut milk and lime, with a chocolate garnish. 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Northside Social
Launching on March 20 and available through April 12, the Sour Cherry Matcha Neapolitan Cookie is topped with a tart cherry glaze. Additionally, the Falls Church location will host a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea April 12, 2 p.m. Attendees will get tea and house-made petit fours. Tickets are $45. 3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), and 205 Park Ave., Falls Church
Oasis in Bloom Sake Tasting
In addition to working with Flore Café on the high tea (see above), the team at Oasis has been prepping a sake tasting on March 25 and April 1, 6 p.m. Try three Junmai Daiginjo selections from across Japan, paired with refined Japanese small bites, including Tuna Tartare, Oasis Poke, and a specialty spicy tuna and sashimi Hokkaido scallop roll. Tickets are $95. And if you tire of sake, ask for the Falling Sakura, a cherry blossom cocktail that combines strawberry-infused Japanese gin, raspberry liqueur, fresh strawberry, lime and St-Germain, and is topped with pomegranate foam. 2940 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
The Falls
Celebrate sakura throughout the entire spring season with the Sakuya Blossom Cocktail, which blends Suntori Toki, homemade Cherry Blossom Dem, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. “Dem” is shorthand for Demerara syrup, a sweetener made from Demerara sugar, water and, in this case, dried cherry blossoms. 370 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Astro Beer Hall
Salute the season with an on-theme beer, such as Honor Brewing’s Lady Liberty Cherry Wheat, Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Cherry Chouffe and Belgian Wayfinder’s Phantasies. Or raise a glass of the Cherry Blossom Spritz cocktail. It’s got vodka, lime juice, sakura syrup and sparkling wine. 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)