Set within different areas of Puerto Plata's most upscale hotel, these are the two most elegant and sophisticated restaurants along the north shore of the Dominican Republic. Much of their allure derives from chef Rafael Vasquez, whose earthy but elegant culinary style has earned him the justifiable title of the country's most celebrated chef. Both restaurants reek of high-design, boutique-scale, cutting-edge charm, although their respective colors and decors are carefully calibrated for view in streaming sunlight (La Verandah) or within the shadows of the evening (Lucia). La Verandah, beside the beach, is a study in angular lines and cool tones of aqua and turquoise; Lucia, with its acres of white linen, evokes the high-ceilinged, candlelit, intensely Europeanized dining room of a land baron on a colonial plantation. Señor Vasquez's menu might include, depending on his mood on the night of your visit, grilled red snapper with grilled pineapple, coconut-flavored Creole sauce, yucca fritters, and basmati rice; slices of lobster tail prepared tempura-style and served with avocados; and one of the most sophisticated duck dishes we've ever seen in the Caribbean: an adaptation of a classic French dish wherein sautéed breast of duck, a crispy leg of duck "en confit," and fresh foie gras are served with a reduction of brandy, honey, hoisin, apple-cider vinegar, pine nuts, and chives. Delectable desserts include mango tacos with pistachio ice cream. An even more decadent dessert choice is known as a "volcano." Combining in sculptural elegance a deep-fried pyramid of semi-melted chocolate with ice cream, it tastes even better than it looks.
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