Good that the DR got on the list and thank you for sharing. The Meson de la Cava is truly a special place. They also have a great Sunday brunch that serves many Dominican dishes among other international choices. And Tuesday evenings the outside Terrazas del Meson is always swarmed because there is live music.
On the list of great restaurants... had the pleasure to dine with my sister in July at Blue by Eric Ripert at the Ritz Carlton, said to be the most expensive place in Grand Cayman and having the reputation of being "the best." My sister, who lives in Dallas was drawn by the reputation of chef Le Barnardin in New York. We were staying at the Westin nearby, where I attended a conference.
The experience was good… but very over-rated.
It made me value even more a Punta Cana restaurant where a world famous chef has created a similar experience within a hotel... Passion at the Paradisus Punta Cana.
May I say that the experience of dining at Passion was very superior because the chef was much more creative, the dishes were more varied. And the price was half but for 100% more when ordering the taste menu with each dish coming with its own wine. At Blue my fish dish was overcooked. The sauce was very good, so had gotten through half when I commented this to our waiter who promptly took it back and the chef sent a new dish. Service was excellent and should be expected. The decor New York elegance, as observed in the review.
After that visit to Grand Cayman I can understand why Punta Cana resorts are doing so well. They are delivering value for money. In Grand Cayman I felt sorry for the American tourists who were paying so much.
Read about Passion…
Dominican Republic Travel News - May 6, 2014