These are good ideas
I enjoyed the Cafe Cito. I take my friends to Sofy's B&B, it is a great breakfast! Little difficult to find however: Take the first or second right, after you pass the traffic circle by the ballpark. It is not paved, and there is an open building on the left, filled with bottles of beer and rum. Her phone number is 586 6411-ask for Noelle....
there is another spot called, I think ARCOIRIS-the rainbow. Ask Noelle about it. Beautiful restrauant under huge trees.
And do not miss Los Manguitos. Just to the right after you leave the Playa Dorada complex. it is part of a row of little places. Food is very good and not expensive.
If you are a little bit adventerous, and like fish, you should try and get to Plaza Johan. This is a very, very Dominican place that I always try and go to when in POP. You will have to get a cab, since it is out past Riu Merengue, about two or three minutes past them. Your driver will surely know it.
You go in, and tell the waitress how "many"fish you want to eat.( There is no menu-they only do fish)
You will also ask for "tostones"(the Dominican equivilant to the potato chip or fried potatos). You can buy the driver his meal too! Don't sweat it. the cost for 4 is less than the cost for 2 at any other place I know of!! Enjoy ice coated Persidente Beer!!.
Still adventerous? Get the cabbie, who is now in love with your gang, to take you up to the Cafeto on the road from Cabarete to Santiago...Called the Jamao highway....Spectacular views, good food and great atmosphere. You might want to take a light sweater...
have fun
HB