5 Cherry Picked Foods to Try During #CherryBlossomFest

Savor the tastes of Spring as restaurants around town are releasing specials surrounding the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  There are so many cherry-themed eats and treats to try! Here are five of our own “cherry picks”:

Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons tempts with Katsu Sando, richly marbled cuts of A5 New York Strip Steak with all the Japanese trimmings wedged between a Japanese milk bread parker house roll.  It’s served in a bento box of course ($100), and pairs perfectly with a Sakura Spritz ($18) from the bar.

There are cherry blossom desserts aplenty, but have you tried the special limited edition Hoho at Buttercream?  The childhood favorite — but not — is rolled up and filled with cherry buttercream icing ($4.50) Decadent doesn’t do it justice.

Opaline Bar & Brasserie at the Sofitel has an entire menu of Cherry Blossom Picks, including Harney & Sons tea and scones, a cheesecake made with cherry rose wine, and a Fleur de Cerisier cocktail that even has cherry blossom tea infused into it ice cubes.  But the pièce de résistance is the Bone-In Pork Chop ($36).  Encrusted with almond and sitting on a bed of leeks and cherry jus, it’s a must try this season.

A Taste of Tokyo happens at the St. Regis through Sunday, April 14th.  The drink, a mix of Midori melon

liqueur, sake, green chartreuse, lemon juice and passion fruit adds some spirit to the venue’s Afternoon Tea… which gets a bit ‘blushed’ up anyway with seasonal inspired bites at 2 and 5 pm ($55 per person).

Occidental Grill offers a cultural favorite with a sour cherry twist.  The Sour Cherry – Yuzu Gyoza is a fried dumpling — but dessert. This one is oozing with nectarous filling and served with a scoop of cherry blossom gelato.

Taste them all while your appetite is in peak bloom!