SHAW: Espita Mezcaleria (a whole week of celebration) - Popular Restaurants Celebrate Halloween #3

Espita Mezcaleria, the Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, invite guests to take part in one of Mexico’s great traditions, The Day of the Dead. Though November 2nd, Espita Mezcaleria will offer a variety of specialty dishes & drinks throughout the month of October including Mole Negro, Pan de Muerto, and Mezonte with El Buho mezcal, Cynar, espresso brown ale, lemon and chocolate bitters. Additionally, Espita Mezcaleria will collaborate with local design firm, Reid & Taylor Studio, to redesign the restaurant for the month-long celebration. Each window will feature an art installation incorporating calaveras and other Dia de los Muerto designs, and throughout the dining room, a canopy of fairy lights will adorn the ceiling, along with a butterfly cage filled with hundreds of feather butterflies. At the entrance, guests are encouraged to leave offerings and gifts to departed loved-ones at their specialty “altar for the dead.”

 
Saturday, October 21st, National Mezcal Day, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Beverage Director Megan Barnes will discuss the misunderstood spirit and how she incorporates it into the restaurants extensive cocktail program. Tickets are priced at $30, which includes samples of three of Barnes’ favorite mezcals along with a selection of snacks. A limited number of seats are available and guests are encouraged to make advanced reservations at: https://resy.com/cities/5/espita-mezcaleria?date=2017-10-21

On Sunday, October 22nd, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Paint Your Own Mini Sugar Skulls on the Patio. A limited number of sugar skulls will be available on a first-come, first serve basis. 
 

On Monday, October 23rd, from 5 p.m. 7 p.m., Espita will host Bat Week Tequila Tasting with Bat Conservation International. Guests are encouraged to stop by the restaurant for a tequila tasting and to learn more about the bat and agave spirits connection. Tickets are priced at $15, which includes tastings from Siembra Spirits, Tequila Ocho, along with a welcome cocktail from Espita Mezcaleria. A representative from the Tequila Interchange Project will be on hand along with Bat Conservation International's Executive Director, Mike Daulton. A limited number of seats are available and guests are encouraged to make advanced reservations at: http://batweek.org/.

On Saturday, October 28th, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Espita will host a Mole Negro Cooking Demo. Executive Chef Robert Aikens will demo how to make mole negro in the restaurants kitchen. Tickets are priced at $45, which includes participation in the cooking demo, two small jars of mole negro & Pan de Muerto to take-home along with a sampling of tacos, snacks & a seasonal punch. A limited number of seats are available and guests are encouraged to make advanced reservations online at: https://resy.com/cities/5/espita-mezcaleria?date=2017-10-21

 

On Sunday, October 29th, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Puppy Halloween Costume Contest on the Patio. One lucky pooch will receive a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant along with extra puppy treats. 

On Halloween, Tuesday, October 31st, from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Espita will celebrate with drink specials and mezcal paired with special treats. Guests can sip on mexcal focused craft cocktails such as Vanilla Grapefruit Paloma with El Buho Espadin, Grapefruit Oleo and Mexican vanilla; the Mezonte with El Buho Mezcal, Cynar, espresso brown ale, lemon and chocolate bitters; the Oaxacan Sour with El Buho Espadin, angostura bitters, pineapple-Canela syrup, lemon, all-spice, clove and Canela as well as the La Llorona with espadin mezcal, bitter spirits, vermouths and Mexican fernet. Cocktails are priced from $12 to $13 each. 

As the week long celebrations come to an end, guests can join Espita on Wednesday, November 1st, from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. for their Annual Day of the Dead Party. The restaurant will be playing tunes from their favorite deceased artists, and guests can also enjoy face painting at the bar and various food and drink specials.

For reservations or additional information call (202) 621-9695, or visit http://espitadc.com.