Maimon is a couple of miles out West from Puerto Plata. It is NOT on the beach. Just a lineup of huts and shacks along the main highway Santiago bound.
It is definitely worth a visit if you like fish.
There are two more stately buildings... IMO DON'T go there... do the shacks! They are better and you will have less time to battle off the "
hey mah frien'!" syndrome.
Currently I recommend "
Los Primos" the are on the Eas end of Maimon on the North side of the road... a big
cana roof.
So, here's what you do:
- First I don't know your Lady friend. But many don't know how to handle the deal. So, show a little authority.
- If you go to Los Primos, great everybody with "hola priiiiimo/a" like you've been there before.
- Once assigned a table, YOU get up and manage your way right into the kitchen. After the door, look right to you left, there es a chest freezer and a balance to it right. YOU open the freezer (authority, remember) and proceed to choose yer fish.
- That particular freezer is full with Cotorra (aka. Lora / Bocayate). Parrot fish is one of the safest bets! It's clean and has a flaky white meat. It's also the cheapest... about 80 to 120 Pesos a pound COOKED and SERVED! Parrot fish tends to be somewhat flat and of a high profile. Choose the ones which are not so flat and rather round... pound per pound, you'll get more meat and less head.
- YOU put it on the balance, note the weight and say it aloud... and tell'em how you want it done (al vapor [steamed] or flito [fried]). IF you like it fried, I'd recommend you urge them to fry it less than they use to for their Santiaguero customers: "...frielo poquito, que quede jugoso!".
- You can ask for sides. The server will offer all sorts of sides to you Lady, making it sound like they're giveaways and she will most likely fall for it and bury you in plates of platanes done in a variety of ways and french fries, all in double edition, after all you shall not think she would be so selfish...
- Forget the wine, enjoy the fish... there is beer, juices or sodas. Check your check, don't be shy to question funny add-ons.
Maimon gets extremely busy on Sunday (Santiagueros!). Some like that ambiance, others prefer to visit on quieter week days.
Don't go there when it's raining, it ain't purdy and it's considered quite normal for roofs to have leak or two.
... J-D.