Coastal Bar & Grill puts its spin on the spooky season with a Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) celebration on Saturday, Oct. 28. The traditional Mexican holiday celebrates and honors those who have passed on, and some believe that during the celebration loved ones are reunited with their living relatives.
To mark the occasion, the Roswell restaurant is hosting a special menu and a full day of “edutainment” festivities that the whole family will enjoy. The celebration kicks off with a screening of Disney’s “Coco” on the large screen at 3 p.m.; family activities (face painting, sugar skull sugar cookie decorating, sugar skull mask making and a piñata) at 5 p.m.; a mini mariachi band parade for the children’s masking contest at 7 p.m.; entertainment from mariachi band Tequila in the event room from 7:15-10 p.m. and the adult mask contest and giveaway at 9 p.m.
Coastal will be serving its usual menu as well as Day of the Dead food and drink specials that include a build-your-own taco bar for kids under 12 ($10 per person) and three-course meal packages (starter, entrée and dessert) by reservation only. The meals packages are inclusive of all activities and the cover charge for the Mariachi Band and include:
Option 1 – Chips and salsa, choice of pozole (pork, hominy soup) or seafood tacos and arroz con leche for dessert ($25)
Option 2 – Quesadilla (potato and chorizo sausage), choice of three tamales (chicken in mole sauce) or three mahi-mahi enchiladas and churros with chocolate or salted caramel sauce ($35)
Option 3 – Empanada (picadillo - meat and cheese filling), half chicken en mole or costillas en rojo (boneless beef rib in savory red gravy) and flan with pepita (pumpkin seed) brittle ($45)
The mask competition is designed to celebrate the rich cultural tradition of Dia de los Muertos through the art of mask-making. Guests are invited to craft unique and visually striking masks that capture the spirit and essence of the holiday and that include elements like calaveras (skulls), marigold flowers, candles and other traditional symbols.
The competition will be split into three categories–traditional, contemporary and youth. Masks will be judged on creativity and originality, artistic skill and craftsmanship, relevance to the theme and overall visual impact. The contest is open to all ages and skill levels, and winners will be awarded Coastal gift certificates ($200, $100 and $50). Masks must be worn on the night of the event prior to 9:00 p.m. to be voted on by the public.