Many diners angle for a downstairs counter seat at Izakaya Seki, where you can watch Hiroshi Seki glide his knife through fish to slice sashimi. But you’re also in for a feast for the eyes if you’re seated in the upstairs dining room. Look to the window facing V Street NW to find an example of the centuries-old art of Japanese flower arranging known as ikebana. The living pieces of art crafted by Hiroshi’s daughter, Cizuka Seki, celebrate the seasons and set the mood for a beautifully presented meal.
Flowers are a part of the ambiance everywhere from fine dining restaurants to casual cafes. Until the pandemic limited lingering in the bakery, Buttercream Bakeshop beckoned customers to stay a while with a lush bouquet from local florist Darling & Daughters on its communal table. Both businesses opened around the same time and sought to support each other. “Having the fresh flowers in the shop really brought a brightness and sparkle to the space,” co-owner Tiffany MacIsaac says.