La Yola — Restaurant in Higüey

Beautiful interior. Electric violin player was amazing.

That’s when the fun stopped. Service was atrocious. Sat there for 20 minutes before anyone even came over to acknowledge us or offer beverages, instead deciding to patronize with the other tables that had been there for awhile.

Once the waiter did come around, we were brought incorrect menus which meant another 10-15 minute wait to get the correct ones. A full 45 minutes since being seated, we were able to order a much needed cocktail. Unfortunately, those cocktails were not nearly strong enough to cover up the poor quality and overall lack of flavor of all the food to come. Chose to start with the truffled tuna tartare and it was lacked any discernible truffle flavor. The tuna did not taste fresh and the presentation was certainly not up to guff for a restaurant purporting to be one of the best in the area let alone the island. Chose the surf & turf pasta and the coconut shrimp risotto for entrees. Yuck! The pasta had legitimately 2 shrimp, 1 mushroom and the “filet” was just a bunch of overcooked pieces of gristle likely left over from the steak entree served. The risotto was not complex and delicious but rather overbearing & utterly disappointing. When we were just ready to get out of the place, it took another 15 minutes to just track someone down to get our check.

A completely forgettable experience. Avoid at all costs. There’s a reason the Westin offers free transportation to this tourist trap. It excels in nothing but overpriced, unflavored and completely dissatisfying food. The sleek facade may lead some astray but seek literally any other alternative, particularly...

During my recent visit to La Yola in Punta Cana, I had mixed feelings about the overall experience. While the staff was friendly and the ambiance was nice, there were a few aspects of the dining experience that left me underwhelmed.

One of the first things that stood out to me was the portion sizes. They were disappointingly small, especially considering the high prices charged at this establishment. I found myself wanting more after finishing my meal, which left me feeling unsatisfied. While the presentation of the food was pleasing, it did little to make up for the lack of quantity.

In terms of taste, the food at La Yola was decent but not exceptional. It lacked that special something that would have made it truly memorable. The flavors were average, and I didn't feel particularly impressed by any of the dishes I tried. Considering the reputation of the restaurant, I expected more in terms of flavor and culinary innovation.

On a positive note, the staff at La Yola were polite and attentive. They were quick to address any questions or concerns we had and made an effort to ensure our needs were met. Their friendly and accommodating service added a touch of warmth to the dining experience, and I appreciated their efforts.

In conclusion, while La Yola offers a pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff, the small portion sizes and lackluster taste of the food left much to be desired. Considering the relatively high prices, I expected a more memorable and satisfying culinary experience. If you're looking for exceptional food with generous portions, you may want to explore other dining options...

Excellent service, very warm and friendly. Attention to detail, even with distinct cutlery for each diner depending on their order. Frequent visits to the table to top up drinks. The waiter misheard our order for an appetizer but apologized and returned with the correct item quickly and without making a fuss. The location was stunning, over the water, at a marina - with a hole in the floor to observe marine life (if the water weren't so muddy.) Having said all that, the food was mediocre. The "Cajun" seasoning lacked flavor and was basically a tomato salsa. Rice and beans was a disappointing accompaniment to the catch of the day, and the tostones lacked flavor or seasoning. The pumpkin Parmesan risotto was nice in flavor but rather gooey in texture, and a dab of butter in the center seemed an odd pairing. The birthday cake was automatically added to our bill because we said it was a birthday, and it was as dense as shortcake. Not what we were expecting. We ordered two glasses of wine, but he brought the bottle to our table. When he poured a third glass to finish the bottle, we were charged for a 3rd order of a glass of wine rather than being charged for the bottle. All in all of was a pleasant evening of being well looked after, but the quality of the food would keep us from...