Having lived in China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Viet Nam for one year as well as in the Asian community of San Gabriel Valley, CA, I'd like to recommend a Chinese restaurant in Santo Domingo. By way of analogy to "If it walks like a duck . . . " I figure that if the quality of food there is equal or better than the food I ate in China, then "It's probably a duck." -- which they also sell.
It is:
Restaurante Delicia Campestre
Av. Benito Gonzalez, No. 58
Barrio China
Villa Francisca
S.D.
To give you an idea of the location, it would be a 25 minute walk from El Conde if you turned north on Duarte (next to Jumbo), then to Benito, right, 2/3 block towards airport, on right side. There also happens to be a parada for taxi on the corner of El Conde and Duarte. Or to put it another way, from El Conde, it is a little more than half-way to Parque Enriquillo.
Don't be fooled by the name just because I have not indicated its Chinese namesake here. "The proof in the pudding" is that 1/3 of patrons here are Asian and that it is always busy.
My ear tells me that it is mainland China, Cantonese.
It is not luxurious but it is comfortable: AC; linen cloths; aquarium. The prices are high by Dominican standards. The cuisine is NOT Dominicanized.
It is traditional: Large tables for families (smaller ones too) with rotating centers. As you know, in Chinese culture, you order for the family, not the individual.
I have been there about ten times. Ask for spices which they keep in the refrigerator. Chinese spices are much hotter than anything you'll find in Latin America. Also request the pitcher of free ice water.
Here is a sample meal that I had yesterday with my girlfriend:
--one service of egg roll (two); freshly fried and succulent; make a spice concoction and dip.
--steamed rice
--wonton soup. Fresh and tasty with six large wonton per bowl.
These were the appetizers.
Entree: A large filleted steamed fish in a piquant sauce with vegetables: "Melt in your mouth."
A free plate of seven homemade almond cookies.
$RD 960.
It's not the best Chinese food I've eaten, for example, Grandmother's in Shanghai, a local dish of tomato and egg soup in a luxurious atmosphere, but it's very good and "a find." It's becoming my regular spot.
Also, on the way back, on the other side of Benito, is an excellent bakery. You can sit in with coffee or take out. Somewhat pricey but big selection and fresh ingredients. And, for that matter, there is a grocery adjacent to the restaurant where you can stock up on Chinese soups (add boiling water) with about three packets of spices each--VERY hot, for $RD 60 ea.
