CabareteBars & RestaurantsBlue Blue is one of the rare resaurants in Cabarete that have actually realised that they are in a 'service industry'. They have staff that appear genuinely pleased to have you eat in their restaurant. In most of the other places, there is a 'drift' to the service. It's not what the Dominicans do best. It's a different culture, so don't be frustrated by it, just accept it. Don't try and work it out, you'll just get confused... especially because most of the staff in other bars aren't Dominican anyway... But not at Blue, they have always been polite and attentive from the moment we decide to eat there. The ONLY criticism I have of the staff at Blue is they can be too keen (AKA 'pushy') to get you to eat there. It's not that you get hassled, but they approach you before you've even glanced at the menu. And I think that puts some people off, especially the Brits, who are that bit more reserved generally. Which is a shame, because if we didn't scurry off at the first sign of being approached, I'm sure we'd enjoy it there*.  Actually, I'm owed a drink or two at Blue. A few nights back a couple were looking at the menu when I was asked to look. 'Not tonight thanks, but I've eaten here many times' I replied, then for good measure I said to the couple at the menu 'it's excellent, I heartily recommend the lobster bisque', as I smiled and winked to the waiter. "Oh, right, thanks" they replied. A few hours later I was staggering home and asked the guy if the couple had eaten there. They had, and they'd enjoyed it, 'you drink on the house next time' he said. I wonder if they had the lobster bisque? This is a place to go for a nice evening or a special occasion. I like to eat here as the sun goes down, the light is right and you catch the breeze. It's also when the beach is at its quietest. You can chill and people watch. There will still be a few of the beach kids around, playing baseball and a few late wind-surfers but the place is becoming tranquil. It's what I had in mind when I first came here. I've eaten here three times with my wife. Every time was really nice, especially the first time. Sometimes a restaurant like this can suffer from 'false memories'. That first time my wife and I ate there was the first week we'd visited in Cabarete. We'd specifically come here to buy property and had been out all day (have I mentioned Royal Residence? available to rent...) Then we'd gone back to the Punta Goleta Hotel for a shower before walking into town (about 1km). By the time we arrived we were hot and hungry. Blue was cool and filling. That night, Blue was perfect. We'll probably never have as good a meal there as that first one... or at least, how I remember it that night. However, subsequent visits have come close. It's a bit pricey compared to some places but then, Cabarete has 'bars that do [good] food' and then they have restaurants. If you compare Blue with the multitude of 'happy hours' elsewhere, it loses out on price but if you compare it with a proper restaurant like Miro's and it all becomes very, very close. And if you go to Blue, have the lobster bisque, I promise I'm not on commission there... ...well, not normally! Update. We were in Cabarete for the last few days of October/start November '08 which meant being there for my wife's birthday."Where would you like to go for your birthday?" I asked. "Blue" she replied. And it was good again. That's her recommendation then. *About the 'approach' that I wrote about. Perhaps its just me, having been there so often, I'm recognised or may be even, someone from the management there read this review and directed the staff to 'slow down a bit' but on my last couple of occasions, I haven't noticed this happening. The staff still approach and greet you but not overwhelmingly so. Since this was first written, Blue has had a 'make over'. It has a small pool, lots of white canopies and is looking like it is trying to attract a different market. I didn't eat there on my last trip, I'll wait until my wife is with me before I find out if the food is still as good. Non-beach places review menu below. Some images required. Click on text for links.
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