By DCist contributor Travis Mitchell
Late October is the height of the Halloween season. But if donning a costume and heading out for a night of candy corn and pumpkin beer has lost its appeal, fear not.
From October 20 to November 2, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (401 7th Street NW), brainchild of Chef José Andrés, will celebrate the Day of the Dead, a celebration of life through food and drink that dates back to the time of Aztecs.
This year’s menu is a tribute to El Santo, a famous Mexican luchador and actor. At a recent media preview event, DCist got a look at the special food and drink choices for the 8th annual celebration.
Fair warning: This menu isn’t for anyone looking for Tex Mex. There’s no sour cream or cheddar cheese to be found here. Head Chef Colin King traveled to Mexico to research the cuisine, and even spoke to El Santos’ family about his favorite dishes. The result is a menu filled with seasonal vegetables and flavors, and food that is at its core simple and hearty.
The fried frogs legs were a surprise standout. The dark, fatty meat is similar to poultry and forms a perfect bite together with the crispy batter and green mole, a sauce that packs the right amount of heat to offset the richness of the rest of the plate.
A number of the dishes, all running between $10 and $15, stood out for their flavor. Flank steak is cooked to a cool medium rare before being served with sautéed cactus and seasonal squash. Braised, tender spare rib served with chipotle salsa is juicy and tender. Vegetarians can indulge on Huatape de Hongos, an earthy combination of wild foraged mushrooms with an herbed sauce.
No mexican dinner would be complete without tequila, and Oyamel has developed several Day of the Dead cocktails based off El Santo’s movies. Drinks run $12 to $14 and are made with El Luchador tequila, which is marking its debut at the restaurant.
The Witches Attack is a sweet and sour drink made with tequila, soda and a syrup of grapefruit, lavender and mint. Those who appreciate a sweeter drink can order the El Santo contra los Zombies, which has three types of tequila, orange liqueur and pomegranate.
Diners who want the complete food and beverage experience can attend the kickoff party on Monday, October 20. Tickets are $60, and the party runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
