Day of the Dead Dining Guide 2015

Don’t throw your face paint and macabre costumes out right after Halloween, because November 1st -2nd is the Day of the Dead.  A Mexican holiday that honors the dearly departed with parties, feasts and brightly colored altars adorned with sugar skulls, it’s a celebration that’s eagerly commemorated at restaurants throughout the city, such as Hecho en Dumbo, Calexico, Rosa Mexicano and more!

Hecho en Dumbo: Inspired by the contemporary cuisine of Mexico City, Hecho en Dumbo is welcoming in Dia de los Muertos with a four-course Menu Macabro, offered from October 26th through November 2nd.  For $40 per person, guests will enjoy a progression of offal-based dishes, such as Queso with Berkshire Pork Headcheese, Veal Sweetbread Tostadas and Roasted Pork Cheek and Blood Sausage, followed by traditional Pan de Muertos — a semisweet, bone-shaped bread dusted with powered sugar — and mugs of Mexican Hot Chocolate.
354 Bowery, (212) 937-4245, www.hechoendumbo.com

Rosa Mexicano: A Midtown staple since 1984 (and now with multiple locations throughout NYC, the US and the world), Rosa Mexicano is kicking off their annual Day of the Dead feast on October 30th, lasting through November 2nd.  Expect celebratory specials like Guacamole de Granada with pomegranate and toasted pumpkin seeds, Beef Enchiladas with white corn and pine nut mole, Deep-fried Vanilla Ice Cream coated in a cinnamon bunuelo crust, and Flor de Mezcal cocktails, tinged with orange, chile and agave, and garnished with a traditional Day of the Dead marigold.
9 E 18th St., (212) 533-3350, www.rosamexicano.com 

La Contenta: Running from October 29th-November 2nd, the Day of the Dead celebrations at this Lower East Side restaurant — from Bouley and Union Square Café vet, Luis Arce Mota, and top mixologist, Alex Valencia — includes a special prix fixe menu.  Expect traditional delicacies like Tamales, Mole, Pozole, Atole (a warm, cornmeal-based beverage), and Pan de Muerto, accompanied by craft cocktails like the tequila-spiked “Llorona,” and the “Magia Negra,” made with smoky whiskey.
102 Norfolk St., (212) 432-4180, www.lacontenta.com 

Palo Santo: Tucked into an elegant Park Slope brownstone, this pan-Latin, farm-to-table restaurant is throwing its Day of the Dead party on Halloween.  So go on and don your costume for a shot at a free drink, plus access to $25 Mole specials all night long.
652 Union St., (718) 636-6311, www.palosanto.com

Dos Caminos: It’s always a party at Dos Caminos (which peddles over 100 types of tequila), and the Day of the Dead is no different.  In addition to holiday specials offered at all of their locations, from October 30th-November 1st — think Huitlacoche Tamales, Beef Short Ribs in Mole Negro, Chocolate Sugar Skulls and a Black Cat Cocktail — the Park Avenue South outpost will host a cooking class on Halloween, allowing participants to gear up for the Day of the Dead, by learning how to make traditional dishes and desserts.
825 3rd Ave., (212) 336-5400, www.doscaminos.com 

Calexico: Boasting branches and carts throughout the city, this Cali-Mex mini chain is offering Day of the Dead specials at all of their locations, such as $2 Jello shots, $2 shots of Espolon or Milagros, and $5 house margaritas, to accompany menu favorites like Chipotle Pork Tacos, Chicken & Bacon Enchiladas and Baja Fish Burritos, cloaked in spicy slaw and mango salsa.
122 Union St., (718) 488-8226, www.calexico.net