JELLYFISH (tel.809-840-7684 or 809-868-3040--reservations recommended) just north of Punta Cana and Bavaro Beach is down a long, bumpy and winding dirt road just behind the Palma Real Shopping Center (a very chic one with the places we avoid like Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Roma's!). Once you get there you pass a small fish pond, three Amazon parrots (which Samuel loved) and sit in a double decked open round wooden structure that indeed does look like a jellyfish when the outside flaps are lowered should it begin to rain (which it did as we finished our meal).
The service is pretty good and our server Franklin was super friendly and helpful, but we did have to ask for our water 3 or 4 times. The rattan furniture has white cushions and is most comfortable with matching tables of rattan with glass tops and rattan woven mats on top. The beach is right there and the sea just steps beyond. Should you decide to go for lunch (and agree to continue ordering food and drinks in the afternoon) you can occupy one of the large 2-storey "cabanas" which are really just wooden structures with a sundeck on top with cushions to lay on and a shaded space underneath for avoiding the sun with some furniture to sit and eat and drink at as you loll away the afternoon. Last night a strong breeze made it the most comfortable evening so far since our arrival. We have tended to try and eat indoors with the humidity and bugs, but last night was just a pleasure to be outside. There was a big electrical storm and the power went out a couple of times, but only for a split second.
Be sure to listen to your server, as the fish and seafood comes right from the fishing boats that pull up on shore daily and they DO know what is best and freshest. If you have kids, bring them, as they will love the animals, the beach and there is a decent kids menu. Samuel had the (guess what?) Chicken Fingers and Fries and a Baskin Robbins cup of VERY STRAWBERRY Ice Cream for Dessert. I did wish they had fish sticks, as those do seem to be so freshly made here with REAL FISH, rather than the processed stuff we get frozen at home!
We ordered a bottle of SARDA SOL Rosado(Rose) 2007 from Navarro in Spain, but the server said the BLANCO was drier, and he was right. It was a tasty blend of Chardonnay & Viura which went well with our varied fresh fish dishes. Will and I chose the same starter, SEAFOOD SALAD, whcih for like $10 or $12 was a monstrous bowl full of Shrimo, LObster, Conch, Octopus, Calamari and fresh Fish with local tasty peppers, onions all in a yummy CORIANDER & LEMON DRESSING. You may know that in the Latin countries, lemon really means LIME...which I liked even better. Some balsamic glazed on the bowl's edge added flavor to a superb dish that you knew had just been fished out that morning.
For main courses I chose the LANGOUSTINES with CAVA Sauce which were 6 whole (or 12 halves) of 6 inch plus long langoustines (those somewhere between shrimp and lobster crustaceans that are so common here). The meat from each 1/2 was about 4 inches and the sauce was a medium white sauce that had tons of flavor and superb seasonings. The mixed
vegetables on the side were all excellent (eggplant/zucchini/carrots/peppers) but was not served warm.
Will had the RED SNAPPER DOMINICAN STYLE which Franklin said was a 2 pound whole fish filleted and served with a local sauce It was huge, and while filleted, did have some small bones. Will adored the sauce and gobbled up every last bite leaving most of his sides of rice and Garlic Potatoes, as these too, were not served very warm. There was still plenty to eat and we did have the best meal so far on the island at this little spot which was a true Dominican seafood treat.
One small comment is that you should BRING CASH (with local or US$) as despite what they tell you, credit cards are not accepted (unless the machine is working and it apparently rarely does work!). They got one of the taxi drivers to drive me to the Palma Real Mall where there was an ATM, and there was no charge for this, but it did take 20 minutes round trip due to the dirt road! Also, if you are staying nearby and DON'T have a rental car, you can get a free ride home by one of the taxi drivers provided by Jellyfish! If you are at Paradisus Palma Real or the Barcelo Bavaro, just walk 10 minutes up or down the beach and avoid the road!
ENJOY!
