The Cherry Blossom Bonsai, the newest course to bloom at Chicago’s Michelin-starred moto restaurant, strikes the perfect balance between science and art.

From the creative mind of Pastry Chef Claire Crenshaw, the dessert is a feast for the eyes and mimics the aesthetics of the traditional Japanese flora.  To make this intricate dessert, Crenshaw starts by infusing cherries with a coffee-based cream and then glazes each berry with a housemade cherry gel.  “Once the gel sets, it provides a candied shell for each cherry,” notes Crenshaw.

A cherry tuile is used to create individual flower petals that are expertly applied to each glazed cherry, with a hint of orange zest serving as the center.  Once each luscious cherry blossom is set, the bite-sized treats are placed amongst the foliage of a miniature cherry bonsai tree, resulting in a decadent dessert.

Located in Chicago’s trendy Fulton Market district, moto restaurant has consistently been ranked as one of the nation’s premier dining establishments and is a Michelin-starred restaurant.  From Celebrity Chef Homaro Cantu, moto is a leader in the molecular gastronomy movement and offers guests an interactive, futuristic and overall exploratory dining experience.  moto restaurant is located at 945 W. Fulton Market. 

For more information on moto restaurant, please visit http://www.motorestaurant.com/ or on Facebook at “moto restaurant.”