2016 Sakura Matsuri at Navy Yard

The DC area is pretty obsessed with its cherry blossoms.  For about a month around this time, thousands of people flock to the nation's capitol to check out the pretty pink blossoms.  The last day of the Cherry Blossom Festival ends with the National Cherry Blossom Parade and the Sakura Matsuri.  So for the first time in a while, my siblings and I took a quick Metro ride to Navy Yard to be a part of the festivities.  While we didn't end up seeing the parade, we did spend the day at the Sakura Matsuri.

It was a beautiful day and the matsuri (Japanese for "festival") was filled with food stands, craft and anime vendors, a stage for performances and concerts, and a culinary demonstration tent.  Needless to say, it was everything I love in one place.  And the cherry on top of the cake was the fact that it was a Japanese cultural festival.  Here are a few of the photos I took yesterday.

And of course, the festival had its fair share of people in cosplay and yukatas (Japanese for "summer kimono").

Miyazono Kaori from Your Lie in April.

Ouran High School Host Club.

Aomine Daiki and Momoi Satsuki from Kuroko no Basuke.

A girl who had fashioned a dress out of Pokemon cards.  My brother and sister thought this was pretty blasphemous, hoping she hadn't sewn any valuable ones into the dress.

Currently listening to: "Mission" Trignal

Shirlington Brunch at Palette 22

While trying to come up with a topic for my next blog post, I'd completely forgotten the fact that a few weeks back, a few friends and I went to a newly-opened restaurant/artist studio in the Shirlington neighborhood, Palette 22.  I had heard a plug for the opening of Palette 22 from a radio DJ on the way home from work one day, describing the restaurant as a restaurant that would feature a rotating set of artists in residence at the restaurant.  Additionally, it would serve small plates and drinks.  So I dragged a few of my friends along to check in out.

An artist quietly working at easels set up throughout the restaurant.

Drinks are apparently their specialty.

Because Palette 22 is more of a tapas restaurant, guests were encouraged to order several small plates and share them among their party.  Had my friends and I not have gone for brunch, we may have tried this out.  But alas, we ordered just one plate each, giving their globally-inspired menu a try.

I ended up getting the Tacos al Pastor.  Verdict: ehh, the meat was pretty dry and the flavors, I didn't think, had incorporated well.

While I will say I did sorta like the vibe and aesthetic of the space, with the murals and artist loft-feel, I don't think I'll be paying Palette 22 another visit.  I wasn't particularly a fan of the food or the prices, but I do love the concept.  Supporting and giving exposure to local artists is, I think, a great idea.  I'll be curious to see how Palette 22 fares.

Currently listening to: "Bird" Oldcodex