Simply Red Sosua Restaurant Review

[Afgan]

Well put WB, I do sometimes think that some people expectations can be un-realistic here at times, wanting a fine dining experience for the price of a Dominican lunch LOL

absolutely.

i am agree with you 100%.

people know that normal average monthly salary in DR is $200-$300 US, ten-fifteen times less than in the States and people happily live on this money, and visitors understandeably expect to see things priced accordingly.

and get shocked and rightfully infuriated with some advanced business owners who try to take advantage and to charge in this poor developing country astronomical Manhattan prices.

 

[Eddy]

Well put WB, I do sometimes think that some people expectations can be un-realistic here at times, wanting a fine dining experience for the price of a Dominican lunch LOL

I can't believe you've never priced the cost of food here compared to America. About 30% more. I told a "restaurateur" recently that he should raise his prices on certain items because he was losing money. I still can't understand how Dominicans can afford to eat a decent meal on the salary they get.

 

[Black Dog]

I'm not complaing about the restaurant prices here Eddy, I've already said I think I get great value for money in the restaurants I use but some other people seem to feel that they are overcharged.

 

[Afgan]

I can't believe you've never priced the cost of food here compared to America. About 30% more. I told a "restaurateur" recently that he should raise his prices on certain items because he was losing money. I still can't understand how Dominicans can afford to eat a decent meal on the salary they get.

Not so simple, Eddy.

Depends on willingness of a business owner to work real hard.

If he/she loves a relaxed tropical lifestyle (paid for by customers) and prefers to spend all day sitting at the bar with a cup of coffee nicely chatting with long-time customers or to sit all day at the office writing on DR1 and buys food for his/her restaurant in shamelessly overpriced Playero - obviousely self-cost will be high.

But if instead he/she spends 10-12 hours a day driving over remote campos, villages and countrysides in search of ulta cheap meat, dairy and produce directly from small manufactures the self-cost will be so low that he/she can reduce the menu price by 50% and still have a very nice profit.

So, alot depends on willingness to work hard.

I am aware of examples of both types in Sosua.

 

[Tamborista]

I am aware of examples of both types in Sosua.

I guess you are not aware of La Sirena and buying in bulk?
One does not need to read more than 2 or 3 of your posts to know you just love to talk out of your a$$ AK74.

 

[jrhartley]

perhaps you would like to share with us where these ultra cheap products are to be found- you would be doing us and the producers a favour.

 

[Afgan]

perhaps you would like to share with us where these ultra cheap products are to be found- you would be doing us and the producers a favour.

If you are geniousely interested and not just trying to bark at people like some 4`10`` stray dogs, I can share my vision of the solution.

At least my cleanning lady brings me all the time lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, noni and noni juice, huney, milk and such at a fraction of hugely inflated turistic Playero/Sirena prices.

There is no such a secret clandestine warehouse in the countryside with ultra low prices, not at all. One has to drive by all the most remote marginalized and impovereshed areas and keep talking with people who are not spoiled by easy abundant money of the tourist areas. People are natural, honest and simple there and they are happy to sell at real honest prices, without unnecessary greed.

Just keep searching day after day hour after hour. We all know our favorite expat restaurantes where an owner stays at the bar all day and we can nicely talk to her any moment we want, as she is bored to death from doing nothing.

Early bird catches the worm.

No pain no gain.

Without hard work - no our hard earned money.

It is fair I think.

Thank you for the educated time and patience to listen to my humble point of view.

 

[catcherintherye]

Very well-written. And I thought JD Salinger died.

However, I must point out there were a few platitudes that you missed.

 

[sammytheman]

I paid 1010 pesos (for those who can't calculate it that's US$28) this was for 2 main courses, a couple of glasses of wine and at least 4 beers! I think that's reasonable for GOOD food and they did NOT add 26%, the menu states "taxes included"

Now the million dollar question is:

Were you full?

 

[jrhartley]

I know about honey,cheese,fruit and cottage products being sold by the road side I thought you were alluding to something more interesting - I cant see a restaurant owner driving miles round the countryside in the HOPE that he may find some meat to cook for his guests that evening

 

[Afgan]

I know about honey,cheese,fruit and cottage products being sold by the road side I thought you were alluding to something more interesting - I cant see a restaurant owner driving miles round the countryside in the HOPE that he may find some meat to cook for his guests that evening

if not trying and searching and investing time and effort - one cannot find cheap meat for sure.

sitting all day with coffee is more pleasant of course.

 

[jrhartley]

thanks you obviously know as much as I do

 

[Lambada]

if not trying and searching and investing time and effort - one cannot find cheap meat for sure.

sitting all day with coffee is more pleasant of course.

This might not actually be all that good a use of time. The main problem is will the place which provided the goods last week have them next week? They will say they will but.......???:cheeky:

A cost benefit analysis might indicate that if the restaurant owner has a scintillating personality it might be more profitable to remain in the restaurant and entertain the guests thus ensuring repeat business rather than to set out with compass and optimism knocking on the doors of rural hamlets.

I think most of those who go to restaurants measure the results in the quality of the food and not how much the owner has flagellated him/herself in order to produce a dirt cheap meal. If one place charges RD$10-30 more for a meal than another, this would not be sufficient to be significant IMHO. Whereas RD$200 more might well be a significant factor.

Now, what do you know about scintillating personalities, Afgan?

 

[Afgan]

Now, what do you know about scintillating personalities, Afgan?

They must be good people.

On the other hand Playero and Sirena get the meat somewhere before adding their 200% markup.

So just to establish the direct connection with raw producers not retailers and to have meat 75% cheaper and hence to sell stakes for $150RD, not $500RD like is the unacceptable case now.

we`ll love and respect her for this much more than for sitting idly all day doing nothing.

 

[catcherintherye]

Afgan,
You have managed to prove that you have neither the slightest understanding of running a restaurant nor a scintillating personality.

In fact, you have proven beyond any doubt that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

What in the world are you trying to demonstrate with your inane comments about a restaurant I'm not sure you have actually even been to, and then arguing ridiculous assertions with two of the most knowledgeable posters on DR!?

Give it a rest.

 

[Bob K]

Ok just to bring this back to it's roots (Simply Red restaurant). We ate there last night. We did ask for the music to be lowered so we could hear each other talk (there were 4 of us and at the time the only ones in the place). The food was excellent and we will be back. Service was good as well.
Not the cheapest place in town but reasonable and like i said food was very good.

Bob K

 

[Black Dog]

The good reviews are coming around as repeatedly as the Mick Hucknell tunes LOL
If the owner is reading this, sort the volume and variety of the music and you seem to have it cracked so well done and see you again soon!

 

[jrhartley]

mix in some duran duran and culture club
and we have and eighties theme restaurant

 

[catcherintherye]

"mix in some duran duran and culture club
and we have and eighties theme restaurant"

jrhartley

Perhaps something we should forgo.

 

[RUBIO4U]

Felep would play any kind of music you desire, even turn it down or off for you if so much requested it. However, refusing to walk into a place based on an asumption is only denying you the opportunity to meet some gracious, friendly and engaging people. The food is fresh and prepared to order. The chocolate mousse is made from original Belgian Chocolate and made by hand. Meats are from the famous German butcher in town. Fish are bought daily by local fisherman. Nothing is overlooked. Felep, his wife Natalie and staff welcome all to join them!