National Cherry Blossom Festival specials

Ambar

523 8th St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Dates: March 20-April 14

Specializing in Balkan cuisine, Ambar's chefs prepared a cherry-inspired dish for this year's festival: cherry and valerona chocolate cake made with cherry foam and served with micro basil. Guests can indulge their sweet tooth for $5. Ambar is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight and Sunday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Ambar)

Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar

401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Dates: March 20-April 14

The Mediterranean wine bar will offer a prix-fixe, three-course menu featuring cherry-inspired items during this year's Cherry Blossom Festival. Dishes will include baked cod wrapped with grape leaves over asparagus and wild mushrooms with mavrodafni and a cherry sauce, yogurt parfait with sour cherries and pecans and chocolate glaze cherry over almond semolina pudding. The meal is $35 per person. Tel'Veh is open 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar)

Odyssey Cruises

600 Water St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Dates: March 21-April 7

Step on board for a trip down the Potomac River and a view of the monuments and cherry blossoms. The three-hour trip includes live music and a three course menu. The lunch menu includes shrimp and corn chowder, mushroom braised short ribs and New York style cheesecake with chocolate cherry sauce. Brunch cruises run Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch cruises run Monday through Friday, noon-2 p.m. Dinner cruises run Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Boarding starts 45 minutes prior to cruise.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises)

The Angler's Inn

10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, Md. 20854

Dates: March 20-April 14

An establishment that's been here longer than the trees themselves, The Angler's Inn offers guests a modern twist on American cuisine. In celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the chefs will serve their own $28 culinary creation: pan roasted duck breast with pickled cherries, local swiss chard, hedgehog mushrooms, duck confit and pistachio-potato puree. The restaurant is open Monday 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of The Angler's Inn)

The Willard Hotel

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Dates: March 20-April 14

Cherry blossoms decorate the lobby of the Willard every year during the festival. This year in honor of the pink blooms, the Willard Hotel will offer guests a Very Cherry Blossom package for two. Starting at $409 per night, the special will include valet parking, breakfast and two Old Town Trolley tour tickets in addition to the room.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of The Willard Hotel)

Park Hyatt Washington

1201 24th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Dates: March 4-April 28

The hotel will offer guests a Spring Cherry Blossom package which will include a stay in the Premier Park Deluxe room, a pot of cherry blossom green tea and breakfast for two at the Blue Duck Tavern. Rates start at $349 per night. The Blue Duck Tavern will also feature a specialty blossom cocktail made with cherry blossom syrup, cherry heering liqueur and vodka, among other ingredients. The restaurant is open 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Hotel reservations onlineor restaurant reservations online.

(Courtesy of Park Hyatt Washington)

Legal Sea Foods

704 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Dates: March 20-April 14

The Chinatown Legal Sea Foods location will add several new dishes and cocktails to its menu in honor of the Cherry Blossom Festival. These include a red salad with radicchio, crumbled gorgonzola, candied pecans, dried cherries and balsamic vinaigrette, cherry glazed Atlantic salmon with watercress salad and potato gaufrettes, surf-n-turf of grilled hanger steak with cherry demi glaze, crab stuffed potato and haricot verte and cherries jubilee with vanilla ice cream. The cherry blossom cocktail is made with cherry heering, lemon juice and cherry bitters, and topped with cava. The restaurant hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight, and Sunday noon-10 p.m.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Legal Sea Foods)

Capital Elite Cherry Blossom Sightseeing Cruises

600 Water St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Dates: March 22-April 7

Guests embark on a 45-minute cruise around East Potomac Park and Haines Point for views of the blossoms. The trip includes a narrated tour and a cash bar. The sightseeing trips run Friday through Sunday and depart at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Boarding begins 45 minutes prior.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises)

Assaggi Mozzarella Bar

4838 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Md. 20814

Dates: March 20-April 14

This Italian restaurant will feature special menu items and a cherry cocktail during this year's festival. Dishes will include fresh oysters with frise salad and cherry vinaigrette, poached Atlantic salmon with rainbow cauliflower and cherry tapenade and cherry cheesecake with pineapple salad and salted caramel sauce. The Assaggi Jubilee cocktail is a mix of cherry vodka, triple sec and crushed fresh cherries and topped with Prosecco. Assaggi is open every day 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Reservations online.

(Courtesy of Assaggi Mozzarella Bar)