Santo Domingo's El Mesón de la Cava is housed in a natural limestone cave once inhabited by native Taino Indians and used by pirates and buccaneers. A favorite among locals and tourists alike, the restaurant's unparalleled atmosphere is one of rock walls and natural stalagmites and stalactites, accented by spiral staircases, low-light sconces and terra cotta floors. The restaurant specializes in Creole fare, including shrimp in coriander cream sauce steamed in coconut water and stewed conch with toasted rice cake. Other menu favorites include red snapper in coconut sauce, veal scaloppini in lime sauce with artichokes, and linguini and charcoal-grilled beef tenderloin with yellow rice, azafran and grilled eggplant.
El Mesón de la Cava offers its full menu daily from noon to midnight. Entrees range from US$11 to US$42. For more information: 809-533-2818
