Sakura Festival
The first O-Ku opened in the Spring of 2010 in Charleston, just in time to welcome guests at the start of the magical Cherry Blossom season. To commemorate its origins and celebrate what’s to come, each year O-Ku restaurants across the Southeast come together to celebrate the traditional Sakura Festival with special chef’s tastings, seasonal cocktails and festive gatherings. This year, join O-Ku on Thursday, April 8 for an indulgent celebration of Spring.
Menus
O-Ku Atlanta
Call 404.500.2383 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 10 p.m.
Executive chef Masa Hamaya’s $75, three-course meal includes:
OCEAN TROUT MI-CUIT
40-degree Ocean Trout, Sakura Dashi
BABY OCTOPUS
White Soy Lyonnaise, Ikura, Cauliflower
KALBI MAKI
Short Rib, Lotus Root, Asparagus
In addition to the full dinner and bar menu, the "Cherry Bomb" cocktail will be featured making its debut on the Atlanta menu.
O-Ku Charleston
Call 843.737.0112 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 10 p.m.
Executive Chef Dung Vo’s $45, three-course meal includes:
SUNOMONO
pickled shrimp, cucumbers, assorted vegetables
“CHERRY” SALMON USUZUKURI
Scottish salmon, cherry black salt, kizami wasabi, micro greens, sesame, truffle ponzu
SEARED SCALLOPS
spring peas succotash, lemon butter
In addition to the full dinner and bar menu, the "Sakura, Sakura" cocktail (vodka, Nigori, peach & cranberry with a cherry blossom garnish) will be featured making its debut on the Charleston.
O-Ku Charlotte
Call 704.594.1922 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 10 p.m.
Chef Bachieng Phankhaysy’s three-course Sakura Tasting Menu will delight guests with the freshest flavors of the season. Available for $48 per person, the special menu includes:
First course: O-Ku Nori or Seared Tuna Carpaccio
Second Course: Choice of two rolls or Salmon Teriyaki
Third Course: Strawberry mochi, fresh fruit
In addition to the full dinner and bar menu, the festive "Cucumber Lychee Martini" with flower garnish will be available for $13.
O-Ku Nashville
Call 629.900.0021 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 9 p.m.
Executive chef Eric Hall’s six-course Sakura Tasting Menu will delight guests with the freshest flavors of the season. Available for $150 per person, the special menu includes:
West Coast Oysters
Cherry Blossom Mignonette, Aka Yuzu Kosho, Gari Oroshi, Shiraga Negi
King Crab Robata Yaki & A-5 Wagyu Strip
Preserved Lemon Aioli, Black Garlic Soy butter, Shiso Chimichurri
Chirashi Ichiban
Bluefin Chu-toro, Hokkaido Uni, White Soy Ikura, Shiso and seasonal garnishes
Japanese Mushroom Risotto
Pickled Shiitake, Baby Arugula, Truffle
O-Ku Nigiri Flight
Tuna with sauce tonnato, ginger-scallion relish;
O-Buri Salmon with preserved lemon aioli and orange zest;
Suzuki with shiso, aka yuzu kosho, ginger and truffle ponzu
Yuzu Strawberry Cheesecake
Wild Berry compote, Mascarpone Cream, Cherry Blossom
*No substitutions offered for the chef’s tasting menu
O-Ku Raleigh
Call 919.792.3777 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 10 p.m.
Chef DY Yoo's three-course Sakura Tasting Menu will delight guests with the freshest flavors of the season. Available for $50 per person, the special menu includes:
FIRST COURSE
Spring Sunomono or Usuzukuri
SECOND COURSE
Choice of two rolls or Salmon Teriyaki
THIRD COURSE
Assorted mochi
In addition to the full dinner and bar menu, the festive "Lychee Cosmo" with flower garnish will be available for $13.
O-Ku DC
Call 202.888.8790 to make your reservation
Thursday, April 8: 5 to 10 p.m.
Chef Michael Legg’s three-course Sakura Tasting Menu will delight guests with the freshest flavors of the season. Available for $65 per person, the special menu includes:
WAGYU CROQUETTES
Wagyu beef with a crispy panko breading, soy, mirin, sake, tonkatsu sauce, yuzu remoulade
PAN SEARED SNAPPER
Local Red Snapper, Ume Plum and Sakura Gastrique, Papaya Salad, Baby Shiso
O-KU SIGNATURE NIGIRI: three pieces
Omakase style progression of chef’s seasonal toppings on traditional nigiri
In addition to the full dinner and bar menu, the festive "Haru Punch," a dairy-free clarified milk punch with vodka and lemongrass shochu, will be available for $14.