The recent ?Gastronomy Galore? thread really got me thinking about eating options in SD. Despite the economic crisis, new restaurants seem to pop up here and there. Given the high-inflation and depressed US$, low pricing is increasingly hard to find. I thought I?d share some of my personal discoveries. The main criteria is ?bang for the bucks?, which in my book has to be less than RD$500 per person. Of course, the quality has to be good to even be considered.
Peppino?s (Roberto Pastoriza No. 313 Tel: 540-4600)
This restaurant has been jam-packed since word got out on El Caribe?s Bureo. No wonder. Not a single dish sells over RD$175. But each dish is tastefullly arranged, presented and service is quick and surprisingly pleasant. The food is Argentine version of simple but flavorful Italian food. Some typical Argentine desserts (dulce de leche) are worth trying. Expect horrendous waits if you go on a Sat or Sun. Better go on week days.
Bethel Coreano (Romuno Bentancourt, right opposite Zona Fria, Tel: 532-6248)
One of the two Korean eateries open to the public in Santo Domingo, this one is a family-style no-frill place. Zero d?cor so don?t bring a date. It?s a place purely for the food, nothing else. Order one main course and they will bring out 4-5 different complimentary side dishes for you to munch on. Go for ?bulgogi? (Korean BBQ beef), pizza coreana (Korean pancake with calamari fillings). Closed on Sundays.
Special Deals:
Taboo Bamboo (Roberto Pastoriza No. 313 Tel: 227-2727, next door to Peppino?s)
This is an EXPENSIVE restaurant with posh ambience to match. But they have a lunch special (Mon-Fri and Sunday) where you can pick an appetizer and a main course plus a cup of coffee for a fixed RD$350. The food is gourmet Eurasian, but much more Euro than Asian. This is a very upscale restaurant so dress to match.
Vetro?s Sushi Bar (Roberto Pastoriza No. 210, Tel: 563-4424, right across from both Taboo Bamboo and Pepino?s)
On Sundays from 12:30-4pm, they have all-you-can-eat buffet at RD$325 per head. The main draw of this buffet is the variety of sushis served, along with two kinds of sashimi, seafood salade, and a variety of other cooked dishes. Half of the items are seafood. Make sure to show up before 1pm otherwise it may be hard to find seating as word has apparently got out about this small but tasty gem.
I?d love to hear any other personal discoveries from fellow ?foodies?. While it's not fair to pit Santo Domingo against NYC, London or Hong Kong for culinary offerings, there are always pleasant surprises around the corner for those willing to venture and discover.
Bon appetit !!
Peppino?s (Roberto Pastoriza No. 313 Tel: 540-4600)
This restaurant has been jam-packed since word got out on El Caribe?s Bureo. No wonder. Not a single dish sells over RD$175. But each dish is tastefullly arranged, presented and service is quick and surprisingly pleasant. The food is Argentine version of simple but flavorful Italian food. Some typical Argentine desserts (dulce de leche) are worth trying. Expect horrendous waits if you go on a Sat or Sun. Better go on week days.
Bethel Coreano (Romuno Bentancourt, right opposite Zona Fria, Tel: 532-6248)
One of the two Korean eateries open to the public in Santo Domingo, this one is a family-style no-frill place. Zero d?cor so don?t bring a date. It?s a place purely for the food, nothing else. Order one main course and they will bring out 4-5 different complimentary side dishes for you to munch on. Go for ?bulgogi? (Korean BBQ beef), pizza coreana (Korean pancake with calamari fillings). Closed on Sundays.
Special Deals:
Taboo Bamboo (Roberto Pastoriza No. 313 Tel: 227-2727, next door to Peppino?s)
This is an EXPENSIVE restaurant with posh ambience to match. But they have a lunch special (Mon-Fri and Sunday) where you can pick an appetizer and a main course plus a cup of coffee for a fixed RD$350. The food is gourmet Eurasian, but much more Euro than Asian. This is a very upscale restaurant so dress to match.
Vetro?s Sushi Bar (Roberto Pastoriza No. 210, Tel: 563-4424, right across from both Taboo Bamboo and Pepino?s)
On Sundays from 12:30-4pm, they have all-you-can-eat buffet at RD$325 per head. The main draw of this buffet is the variety of sushis served, along with two kinds of sashimi, seafood salade, and a variety of other cooked dishes. Half of the items are seafood. Make sure to show up before 1pm otherwise it may be hard to find seating as word has apparently got out about this small but tasty gem.
I?d love to hear any other personal discoveries from fellow ?foodies?. While it's not fair to pit Santo Domingo against NYC, London or Hong Kong for culinary offerings, there are always pleasant surprises around the corner for those willing to venture and discover.
Bon appetit !!