Jan 6: Three Kings Day "Día de los Reyes Magos" celebrated by baking "Rosca de Reyes" traditional sweet bread. Baked into the bread are dolls of the baby Jesus. Whoever gets a doll in their slice must host a party.

Feb 14: "Día de San Valentín" Valentines Day in Mexico is also the day of friendship. We create a menu based on the aphrodisiac foods of the Aztecs such as wild corn truffles "Huitlacoche "the Black Gold of the Aztecs.

Mardi Gras and Lent: Traditional spring time foods from Mexico such as "Tortitas de Camaron" and "Romeritos en Mole"

Easter: "Pascua" Usually a Turkey Mole is cooked to celebrate.

May 5: "Cinco de Mayo" VIVA MEXICO ! Celebrates the "Batalla de Puebla" … Menu celebrates Mexico by using the colors of the Mexican Flag (Red , White and Green) and a Festival of the Cuisine of Puebla. Chiles en Nogada are typical of this time and our recipe is based on one from the Convento de Santa Monica from 1820.

Sep 15 "El Grito" We celebrate the evening of Mexico's "Cry of Independence" Once again Chiles en Nogada are served and at 11 pm there is a reenactment of the Declaration of Independence. "VIVA MEXICO"!

Oct 12: Columbus Day "La Palapa's Festival of Pre-Columbian Cuisine" this week we cook ancient Aztec recipes to commemorate the rich traditional culture the Europeans found in the Americas.

Oct 28 - November 2: "Día de Los Muertos" This holiday begins with a traditional cleansing or "limpia" of the houses and begins with the Altar of Offerings in honor of those e who died a violent death -- each year we make an offering to those that perished at the WTC. Next on October 30 the "Altar for the Angels" which is dedicated to children's spirits -- miniature foods and sweets are cooked such as "Tamalitos Oaxaqueños."

The last night is November 2nd when the spirits are invited to come back home and partake of their favorite foods of life. It is important that the spirits see the living happy and rejoicing so that they may return to heaven in peace after the festival. The foods of this festival include Amaranth cakes and "Huauzontle" greens, "Calabaza en Tacha" Mexican Pumpkin cooked in Piloncillo and Cinnamon and Black Mole from Oaxaca.

Thanksgiving Day: La Palapa is closed

Dec 12: "Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe" Today we commemorate the patron Virgin of Mexico. She appeared to a Mexican (Juan Diego) and roses grew at her feet. When Juan Diego took these roses to the Bishop of Mexico City in his cape when he got there a beautiful image of the "Virgen Morena" or "brown Skinned virgin " was painted inside the cape. Due to this miracle the Virgin of Guadalupe is honored with red roses. At La Palapa we cook with rose petals on this day and serve Rose Petal Ice Cream.

12 Days before Christmas: "Posadas Navideñas" Each night on the 12 nights before Christmas Mexicans reenact the "Posada" or search for shelter by Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary. It is a feast of hospitality as pilgrims are welcomed into homes to drink a hot "Ponche de Frutas" and eat sweet "Tamales Dulces".

Dec 24: "Noche Buena" The "good night" there is a traditional Mexican holiday beer called "Noche Buena" which we serve during this holiday.

Dec 25: "Navidad" La Palapa is closed

Dec 31: "Año Nuevo" On the New Year's Eve Mexicans celebrate by drinking and eating great feasts. The feasts end at midnight where with a glass of champage one eats 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. The grapes symbolize prosperity and bounty for the next year.