Photograph from P_R_ on Flickr

Cherry blossoms and cherry fruit trees may come from different plantae families but that doesn't stop D.C.-area chefs from rolling out cherry-themed menus this time of year. With Cherry Blossom Festival kicking off last weekend, restaurants have been acting like it's peak cherry season, even if that's not until July. Not a drupe hater or anything, but should we challenge the chefs for this cherry misunderstanding? The blossoms have petals, not fruit, and are grown for decorative purposes, not for eating. Even if the custom is silly, here are some of the most interesting cherry dishes around Washington D.C. right now.

About the author: Erin Zimmer, our Washington, D.C., correspondent, is a new media analyst and frequently writes for Washingtonian, DCist, and other local publications. While Georgetown's food columnist, she investigated the cafeteria's omelet station, Hoya coffeeshop's cultish pumpkin muffins, and what exactly the basketball players ate.

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Cafe du Parc

Address: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Phone: 202-942-7000
Website: cafeduparc.com
Dish: Cherry custard tart with sour cherry sorbet.

District Chophouse

Address: 509 7th St., NW
Phone: 202-347-3434
Website: chophouse.com
Dish: Lamb proterhouse with dark cherry ale demi glace.

Kaz Sushi Bistro

Address: 1915 I St., NW
Phone: 202-530-5500
Website: kazsushibistro.com
Dish: Bento box with cherry rice cake and plum tea.

Old Glory

Address: 3139 M St., NW
Phone: 202-337.3406
Website: oldglorybbq.com
Dish: Cherry cola BBQ St. Louis Ribs.

Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert

Address: 1190 22nd St., NW
Phone: 202-974-4900
Website: westendbistrodc.com
Dish: Warm clafoutis cake made with orange, cherries and almond.

National Gallery of Art's Cascade Cafe

Address: 4th and Constitution Ave., NW
Phone: 202-712-7451
Website: nga.gov/ginfo/cafes.shtm#cascade
Dish: Sour cherry gelato from the downstairs cafeteria.