Italian Restaurant Santo Domingo

[LindseyKaufman]

Looking for a specific restaurant in Santo Domingo. Years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Holiday Inn on Abraham Lincoln. We went to eat at an Italian restaurant not far from there. The ceiling had a mural painted on it and later in the evening, the owner pushed a button and the ceiling completely rolled back. We were eating under the stars. I cannot remember the name of this restaurant. Don't even know if it is still there. Can anyone help?

If not, any recommendations for a great restaurant with fine dining in that area? I tend to believe there are many.

Thanks

 

[Big]

La Cassina . My absolute fav.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

La Cassina . My absolute fav.

Thanks! Will look it up.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

Yes! That's the one! Thank you, Big!!!

 

[Nadie21]

Looking for a specific restaurant in Santo Domingo. Years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Holiday Inn on Abraham Lincoln. We went to eat at an Italian restaurant not far from there. The ceiling had a mural painted on it and later in the evening, the owner pushed a button and the ceiling completely rolled back. We were eating under the stars. I cannot remember the name of this restaurant. Don't even know if it is still there. Can anyone help?

If not, any recommendations for a great restaurant with fine dining in that area? I tend to believe there are many.

Thanks

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

 

[Big]

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

No anger, just a completely inaccurate post. If you are interested in something other than a jerk chicken sandwich and a taco served in styrofoam while sitting on plastic chairs Santo Dom is the place. Many enjoy an extensive wine list, ambiance, service and creative consistent quality good food.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

No anger, just a completely inaccurate post. If you are interested in something other than a jerk chicken sandwich and a taco served in styrofoam while sitting on plastic chairs Santo Dom is the place. Many enjoy an extensive wine list, ambiance, service and creative consistent quality good food.

Right. But in my search not many have websites, so it is hard to know exactly what they offer. In my experience, the best finds are always ones recommended to me by others, and they are not commonly know by most tourists.

 

[aarhus]

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

It’s true you have some who look very fancy but it’s average. In 15 years though it has changed a lot. Santo Domingo is developing into being more like a big city and a little more cosmopolitan. I agree with Big.

 

[Big]

Right. But in my search not many have websites, so it is hard to know exactly what they offer. In my experience, the best finds are always ones recommended to me by others, and they are not commonly know by most tourists.

true, many just have a quick flash on face book. Others its trail and error. I so appreciate a good wine list and I put a high emphasis on service. There are so many more variables on food (especially beef) and purveyors that provide certain fresh items. Ambiance is also a factor for me. Oh did I say restrooms!! If I go into any place and the floor has a1/4 inch of water on it and its not a beach dive I aint coming back.

 

[AlterEgo]

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

You’ve obviously not looked very hard in Santo Domingo.

Enough said.

 

[keepcoming]

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

Highly inaccurate post. Santo Domingo has numerous restaurants that offer excellent cuisine. Living here for many years I have been fortunate enough to sample many. And there are still many more to try. There are some very excellent chefs here, they are just not as well known. Anger at your post? No I just feel sorry for you. Sorry that you have not discovered the many treasures the Dominican Republic has to offer.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Right. But in my search not many have websites, so it is hard to know exactly what they offer. In my experience, the best finds are always ones recommended to me by others, and they are not commonly know by most tourists.

That's my biggest objection to how Dominican business do online. It's not just restaurants but just about every business there is. The websites are often lacking and the responses to questions/inquiries are rare. Instagram and Fayboo lead the way. I don't have either and don't want them. Maybe because I'm a couple hundred years old I prefer websites over social media, but it would seem to me they're missing out on some (unquantifiable) business by having poor or non-functioning websites.

HTML/CSS are extremely simple. There are templates galore out there too, most free. Possibly a business opportunity for someone younger and a little computer savvy.

 

[aarhus]

That's my biggest objection to how Dominican business do online. It's not just restaurants but just about every business there is. The websites are often lacking and the responses to questions/inquiries are rare. Instagram and Fayboo lead the way. I don't have either and don't want them. Maybe because I'm a couple hundred years old I prefer websites over social media, but it would seem to me they're missing out on some (unquantifiable) business by having poor or non-functioning websites.

HTML/CSS are extremely simple. There are templates galore out there too, most free. Possibly a business opportunity for someone younger and a little computer savvy.

Honestly I don’t blame restaurants for not bothering with websites. Why have that hassle and monthly expense. Yes go on FB, IG and other platforms instead. That’s what most people do now.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Honestly I don’t blame restaurants for not bothering with websites. Why have that hassle and monthly expense. Yes go on FB, IG and other platforms instead. That’s what most people do now.

I guess you're right. It's us old farts that cling to 17th century websites.

 

[aarhus]

I guess you're right. It's us old farts that cling to 17th century websites.

I think websites have become a hassle. I think it’s mostly FB/IG but maybe I am behind and there are others. Do businesses use Tik Tok and youtube for that ? it’s possible

 

[Sol09]

“Great restaurant”? “Fine dining”? SANTO Domingo” oxymoron. We truly believe and have experienced in DR the absolute fallacy of the use of word gastronomy or gastronomic in describing restaurant fare. Dominicans love to add adjective “great” to everything. But most of you (ex pats) probably know that. Dining and showing off in some of these gastronomic palaces can lead to big disappointment. Really good restaurants are nowhere (that we have yet found.) Need to leave the island and have that great meal somewhere else. Then come back with a real gastronomic memory. We’ve had truly great meals in: Anguilla, Barbados, Martinique, Guadaloupe, San Juan, Nevis, Bermuda(even), Jamaica…St Barts of course. Just thinking gastronomy does exist on the islands..just not this island. Now we wait for all the anger that might come with this post.

Agreed. Most of the restaurants are mediocre at best with practically the same menus.

 

[JD Jones]

You’ve obviously not looked very hard in Santo Domingo.

Enough said.

Absolutely correct. There are a lot of really great restaurants in SD.

Some of my favorites include SBG Kitchen, PF Changs in Downtown Center, and Meson Iberia.

Also Cantabrico in Silver Sun Gallery and Ave. Independencia and Victoria by Porterhouse.

There is a ton of newer places that I haven't been to yet.

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[cavok]

I think websites have become a hassle. I think it’s mostly FB/IG but maybe I am behind and there are others. Do businesses use Tik Tok and youtube for that ? it’s possible

I find that Google Maps is a good place to get info on a restaurant. Many have posted pics of their restaurant, food dishes, menu, and hours of operation along with a phone number and address.

 

[aarhus]

I find that Google Maps is a good place to get info on a restaurant. Many have posted pics of their restaurant, food dishes, menu, and hours of operation along with a phone number and address.

Right “Google my business” when you have a physical location where you provide a service you set that up.