PAINTED BLACK MENU FOR DÍA DE MUERTOS AT ELLA CANTA

Salsas

Black is death. Black is strength. Black is Beauty. This month, esteemed Mexican chef, Martha Ortiz, will celebrate one of Mexico’s oldest traditions, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) through a Painted Black menu at her authentically modern Mexican restaurant, Ella Canta.

Available from 31st October until 16th November, the Painted Black menu will launch in time for the annual Mexican holiday, which honours and celebrates the lives of beloved lost ones. The menu will encourage guests to discover the flavours of Mexico through traditional ingredients and contemporary flair, kissed with a touch of black, the colour of death, while enlightening diners on the beauty within it.  

Pork taco, black bean sauce, watercress

The dramatic menu will be made up of six stunning courses, carefully curated to take guests on a unique culinary journey, awakening both their visual and gustatory senses through a series of traditional Mexican meat and fish dishes, including Octopus with Black Sesame and Lime, in addition to Seabass with Onion Ash powder and Potato Puree. Guests will end their experience on a sweet note, with a refreshing Hibiscus sorbet, with beet and orange candy and for the grand finale, they will discover María la Catrina, a creation which represents immortality, an ornate creation inspired by La Calavera Catrina, the elegantly-dressed skeleton figure and symbol of the Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Throughout the Day of the Dead festivities, Ella Canta will also offer a selection of refreshing cocktails, paying tribute to specific elements of the holiday, including The Lady in Black, a citrus focused margarita made with Amarillo Chile infused Patrón silver tequila, Cointreau, Rinomato Bianco aperitivo, lime juice, angostura bitters and Serrano Chile. This special drink takes its name from ‘Lady of the Dead’, the Day of the Dead goddess. 

Seabass, onion ash & powder with potato puree

About the new menu, Martha Ortiz, Chef Patron at Ella Canta, said: ‘The Day of the Dead is a longstanding tradition, which builds hispanic countries as a nation. Contrary to the common belief, the festivities are a way of celebrating life, rather than being afraid of death. The tradition involves family and friends gathering to remember their loved ones, and that way they can live eternally. With the Painted Black menu, I sought to pay tribute to this Mexican heritage, by presenting black dishes that are striking but convey a beautiful message’.

 The Painted Black menu is available at Ella Canta from 31st October until 16th November, priced at £70 inclusive of a cocktail. 

Maria with her catrina costume

For more information on Ella Canta and for reservations, please visit www.ellacanta.com

Address: Ella Canta, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1J 7QY