Entering into Dleña transports guests from the busy hustle and bustle of Ok Avenue NW to a soothing setting stuffed with the tantalizing smells of scrumptious meals being ready and comfy spots to dine, drink, hearken to music and meet up with family members in an area that fuses effective eating with house.
Whereas the restaurant options improbable fare impressed by Mexican tradition year-round, from now till Nov. 3, Chef Richard Sandoval is providing a specifically curated Dia de los Muertos menu that not solely celebrates the vacation however highlights the meals, tales and traditions that originated in Mexico.
With the Dia de los Muertos menu, Dleña diners will not be solely handled to heat hospitality and a very good meal but in addition a chance to take a culinary journey to Mexico, studying in regards to the origins, names and historical past behind numerous dishes reminiscent of mole, ceviche, tamales, horchata, atole, pan de muerto and empanadas, often known as Mexican quesadillas.
“In Mexico, that is what we name a quesadilla,” mentioned Sandoval, of Richard Sandoval hospitality, pointing to the dark-purple-hued empanadas de langosta. “Within the U.S., you’ll see a flour tortilla with cheese, however in Mexico, we now have contemporary masa. We put slightly squid ink for [the Dleña dish], slightly little bit of corn purée so that you get slightly little bit of sweetness, and we stuff it with the lobster after which we deep fry it.”
The empanadas de langosta are particular and price savoring till the final chew. They’re fried to perfection and the squid ink within the masa is a good contact with the wealthy flavors of the lobster. Lots of the dishes scream fall with a Mexican twist, reminiscent of agave mashed potatoes, butter squash purée, and heirloom carrots. Every part is scrumptious and the menu objects are the proper portion sizes for diners to attempt a number of dishes and depart happy, however not so stuffed they’ll’t try the dwell jazz music downstairs.
Plus, there are themed drinks such because the papel picado paloma with Gran Malo tequila, creme de violette, agave, lime, pink wine and hibiscus. A purple and yellow cocktail — colours usually utilized in Dia de los Muertos celebrations to represent purity and mourning — the papel picado paloma shouldn’t be solely stunning to behold, however tasty and packs simply sufficient sweetness that it’s clean and pleasant to drink.
Then there are the specialty desserts, such because the jericalla, served in a pumpkin and topped with pumpkin seeds, vanilla bean ice cream and slightly cotton sweet.
“Jericalla is nearly like a custard you get from the Jalisco area, the place tequila is made, so we took that concept,” mentioned Sandoval.
The decorations embrace a Dia de los Muertos altar that includes recognizable, famend faces such because the late Mexican American artist Selena.
Visiting Dleña on Oct. 24 supplied Lynette Wilson, co-owner of Wilson’s on 18th Barbershop, such an gratifying and illuminating expertise, she felt transported and at house unexpectedly.
“I wakened the subsequent morning nonetheless wrapped in a fog of texture and taste, feeling as if I, myself, had traveled to a different world to be comforted by a standard ancestor,” she informed The Informer. “The meal was so acquainted and enlightening on the identical time.”
For extra info, go to dleñadc.com.
