Wrong."That place that was burned down" has been rebuilt and it is NOT expensive, nor does it have a good menu. It's best for cocktails at sunset. Believe me...boots on the ground.
Across the street from the guarded gate to Hemingway apts is Sal Marina, which I cited earlier. About 3 blocks away is the restaurant at the hotel. Big bux. Great for ppl that want to take pics of the food plate and then say "is there anymore food coming". This area of JD is not for expats as one poster mention before. But, when the big bucks come in on the weekend there is a whole new part of what goes on in the DR taking place in JD. Young people, young families, that have a lot of $$$.
Now I hope this doesn't start a conversation "Well, it's their Daddy's money". Maybe. Maybe it's clean or dirty. IDK. But the fact of the matter is yes, dinners might cost $100...and they pay it.