Bottom line…We will see what we will see. I don’t see how this will “make it”in DR. Most dominicans (who have probably Never tasted real properly aged meat) will resent paying and continue buying that awful meat sold here passing for beef. And which sellers continue to peddle to the unsuspecting..which most people here have to just put up with. Hope this wonderful restaurant will do well But…..I just don’t, right now see dominicans going all out for this upscale restaurant.
That's what was said to Don Alfonso Paniagua (a Dominican) by Charles Bluhdorn (an Austrian though lived in the USA for much of his life) regarding this project that started in the 1970's and was geared exclusively at foreigners. This place was Casa de Campo. His words were "Alfonso, what is your obsession with the Dominicans?" Alfonso was obsessed in marketing Casa de Campo to Dominicans as useful strategy fir its success. It wasn't that Charles had a thing against Dominicans, that guy was obsessed with the DR. Even Altos de Chavon was created as an artist village meant on being open to the public and creating artisans from Dominicans of humble origins. He went as far as saying he doesn't want this village to become "elitist" or only for the rich. He just underestimated the Dominican market because he simply didn't see it, just like many expats do today. Some things never change.
Anyway, it is said that Charles Bluhdorn further responded to Alfonso by saying "this will be your problem, if you fail it will be your failure."
Today, 70% of property owners in Casa de Campo are Dominicans. Did I say that the main business of Casa de Campo is selling the land? Ahem.
The restaurant business is a naturally tough business, but don't underestimate the Dominican market. Charles Bludhorn was in charge of a multibillion dollar company with business in multiple countries and that didn't stop him from underestimating the Dominican market. Good thing Alfonso was his buddy and persistent, plus knew otherwise.