The restaurants taking part in the Cherry Blossom Festival have each created a limited edition dishes or complete menus to celebrate Hanami, reflecting traditional dishes served in restaurants throughout the season in Japan, and each dish has been paired to an Akashi-Tai Sake.
Hanami Cards
Akashi-Tai will also be offering customers ‘Hanami Cards” – one per dish or menu ordered – giving each customer entry into a free draw with a guarantee to win an Akashi-Tai prize, including: Akashi-Tai mobile phone charms, Akashi-tai Sake & Tokiwa Sakura Cocktail sets, amongst others.
Sakura Cocktail
Akashi-Tai has created a Cherry Blossom Festival cocktail, the ‘Sakura” with its premium Shochu, Tokiwa. This will be served in all restaurants participating in the festival. Or make a Sakura cocktail at home!
Sakura Blossom
40ml Tokiwa Shochu
15ml lime juice
10ml sugar syrup
10ml cherry liquor
Rosé wine
Stir well and pour into a Martini glass or small wine glass filled with ice
Top up gently with rosé wine (make a layer); Garnish with cherry blossom
Participating restaurants will host individual events throughout April to celebrate Hanami. Full information on the Cherry Blossom Festival and these events can be found at www.akashi-tai.com/cbf
Restaurant information
• Bincho, 16 Old Compton Street, W1 (020 7287 9111; www.bincho.co.uk)
• Me Love Sushi, 100 Avenue Road, Swiss Cottage, NW3 (08448 55 22 55; www,melovesushi.com)
• Saf, 152-154 Curtain Road, EC2 (020 7613 0007; www.safrestaurant.co.uk)
• Saki Bar & Food Emporium, 4 West Smithfield, EC1 (020 7489 7033; www.saki-food.com)
• Sushinho, 312 – 314 King’s Road, SW3 (020 7349 7496; www.sushinho.com)
• Tsuru, 4 Canvey Street, SE1 (020 7928 2228; www.tsuru-sushi.co.uk)
Saki Bar & Food Emporium Tasting Menu
SAKIZUKE: Seared Sea Bass and Nanohana Flower with Ume Plum Sauce
HASSUN: Chef’s Assorted Delicacy of the Season
MUSHIMONO: Cherry Leaf Wrapped Turbot and Domyoji Dumpling Sakura-Mushi with Gin-An Sauce
AGEMONO: Prawn Shinjo Balls with Seasonable Vegetable Tempura
YAKIMONO: Saikyo Miso Marinated Grilled Black Cod
SUSHI: Assorted Nigiri and Maki Sushi served with Miso Soup
DESSERT: Chef’s Dessert Special (including Home Made Cherry Blossom Ice Cream)
Saf Tasting Menu
JAPANESE PANCAKE: Served with Umeboshi plum sauce paired with Zen Garden Cocktail – Akashi-Tai Shochu, Lychee, Cucumber Ice
MAKI: Pickled Daikon radish, shiso leaf and cucumber, paired with Cherry Frost Cocktail
SHITAKE SOUP: Served with winged beans, kohlrabi, lime radish
CHARD ROLLS: Mung beans, water chestnut, Thai vinaigrette, pickled cucumber and sea weed
salad paired with Jasmine Pearl Martini – Akashi-Tai Daiginjo, Jasmine, Crème de
Peche, Lemon
BUDDHA BOWLS: Teriyaki glazed smoked tofu, organic jasmine rice cake, wok fried greens, kimchee, kimpura & simbal paired with Smoky Mountain Cocktail – Akashi-Tai Genmai Aged Sake, Benedictine, Highland Harvest Organic Scotch, Orange
CHERRY BLOSSOM With rose petal and shiso reduction, paired with Whisper Martini Rose Infused Akashi-
TART, LEMONGRASS Tai Shochu, Fresh Shiso, Raspberries, Crème de Fraise
SORBET: