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Made to order pancakes.

The main dining room, El Cayuco, is a beautiful large building with several serving stations including at least two made-to-order specialties at each meal. Salads and fruits take center stage, with breads and rolls, hot items, desserts and carving stations spread out so there is never a backlog at any one spot. The food is fresh, replenished frequently, and as close to gourmet quality as buffet food can get. A typical dinner menu would include several varieties of vegetables, at least one fish or seafood dish, a chicken dish, a beef dish and a pork dish, most in typical Dominican style. Breakfast includes made-to-order omelets, pancakes and French toast; lunch and supper specialties include a pasta station and carved meats. Desserts and fresh-brewed coffee complete the dining experience.

El Charro, the Mexican specialty restaurant, shares space with the beachfront café and bar, in an open-air building decorated in Mexican style at night. There is a specialty crêpe restaurant, Crêperie Les Caraïbes, located in a quiet parklike corner, and the pièce de resistance, Caribbean Grill, located in the center of the resort above the swimming pool and pool bar. The buffet, Mexican restaurant and crêperie are included with your all-inclusive tariff, but the fine-dining Caribbean Grill has an added charge; slightly higher if you want lobster.

Housed in an intimate setting, the Caribbean Grill specializes in fresh local seafood, elegantly served and made to order. I took my waiter's suggestion and had the calamari appetizer with aoli sauce (the sauce was served in an artistically carved cucumber) and then something called a "hotpot." The ingredients included shrimp, ham, mozzarella and some other things that made it sound more like a pizza, but it turned out to be fresh local shrimp covered with a delicious sauce, served with rice and vegetables.

My "hotpot" at Caribbean Grill

The atmosphere is very romantic and the service excellent.

I found the food quality to be terrific throughout the resort. Each restaurant offers a unique experience with well-prepared dishes. The Caribbean Grill's main attraction is its exclusivity and setting, and the a la carte menu of gourmet specialties.

The Beach Bar closes at 1:00am so determined drinkers have to get their fixes at the Sports Bar/Disco which serves alcohol all night. The food goes all night at the beach bar though, and it isn't limited to just pizza and hot dogs. The steam table is filled with many of the same offerings that are served at the buffet restaurant, so for those who don't want to wash the sand off their feet, or who feel like dining al fresco at midnight, this is a great alternative. During the day there are the usual grilled items, salads, fruit and desserts. Late at night there are hot dogs, hamburgers, hot buffet items and fruit. I wandered down before bed each night for a cup of coffee and to sit by the ocean before turning in; I wish they had offered some cookies or something besides fruit for a late-night sweet.

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