For our final dinner here in the city we headed to an Italian spot highly recommended by guidebooks and our concierge alike. LA BRICIOLA (www.labriciola.com.do) is located across from then oldest cathedral in the New World at Arzobispo Merino 152 and just a block from the central Parque Colon, a hub of activity at night where Samuel got a balloon hat replete with doggie balloon atop and a matching balloon sword all for 30 pesos (under $1).
We were the only folks to arrive at 7pm and we should be used to this as the locals don't flow in until 830-9pm at the earliest. The setting was quite beautiful with linen cloths, crystal and silver atop tables on a covered raised mezzanine surrounding a large open courtyard. The lighting lit the tropical foliage as we sat amongst the 16th century limestone/coral pillars. Purse holders were brought and attached to the table corners for my camera bag and Samuel's "toy/goodie/crayon/etc" bag that we always bring to restaurants to keep him busy while waiting.
Samuel got his requisite 7-UP and we a bottle of FALANGHINA del TABURNO 2007 with citrus overtones that was excellent with the seafood starters. Sam agreed to a 1/2 portion of Insalata CARPESE y Prosciutto di Parma and ate all the tomatoes, seemed to love the salty ham, but not the mozzarella. We finished it off.
An amuse arrived first of BOLLITOS, little meatballs breaded and deep fried which we each got two of and all agreed were superb, even Samuel.
CARPACCIO FIORETTO was Swordfish with Passion Fruit & Cherry Tomato Reduction which was very good, but Will fared much better with the CARPACCIO ATLANTICO di PULPO (Octopus) with Capers and ONION REDUCTION which offered up superb fish and sauce combined.
Samuel had the (yes again) SPAGHETTINI PECORINO, just the pasta with tomato sauce and cheese...and Will went a bit more advanced with FARFALLE in GAMBETTA, a pretty boring pasta and tomato sauce dish with several shrimp and some bacon(even less). I fared well with a CIGLIO al GUAZZETTO di VONGOLE, a great fillet of Red Snapper with albeit only 3 clams in a white wine and basil sauce. Some nice veggies came on the side with some mashed potatoes drowning in olive oil.
Overall, the seafood and non-pasta dishes seem to excel....and the setting is great, but be wary of some of the highest prices in the area. Each night we are shocked to see them rise to about $165 for the three of us with just one bottle of wine...Oh well, we are on vacation!
