Playa Blanca Restaurant — Restaurant in Higüey

First meal in the Dominican Republic when arriving later in the day and having some time to kill before getting into our rental home.

This restaurant is located right on the beach at the Punta Cana Resort and Club.

We aren’t large eaters, but after a pretty early morning of travel, followed by airline snacking we were ready to get some food in. We were seated in Manuel’s section, and he greeted us warmly and provided us with some time to get settled in and look at the options.

Our group of 3 Started out with a glass of Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon, red sangria, and I had a michelada with the local El Presidente beer. Very tasty, cold, refreshing and as you sit Oceanside and watch people kite surfing, learning how to sail, chilling on the beach you have a vacation is finally here vibe.

My parents split the linguini de frutti de mare, and I ordered the risotto with tomatoes, burrata, and pesto. It took a little while, but it’s island time and we weren’t in a rush. When the food came out it was perfectly executed. The linguini was cooked Al dente, the risotto with pesto drizzled on it along with a big chunk of burrata and alfalfa sprouts on top (it baffled me but it worked out!) was superb. Rice had some bite to it, but not crunchy. Just really well done.

We had to get back to the home but I had to find out the next time Manuel was working so I could bring our entire group later in the week. Thank you to him for an excellent meal and a warm welcome to Punta Cana.

We...

I came here via the free bus shuttle from Four Points Sheraton & brought with me a beach towel they provided. Unlike others, I was not confronted with payment at the entrance. Four Points Sheraton told me I could show my key card but I was never asked for it.

It had been raining on & off all morning (Fri 1/27) so place wasn't crowded at all. I arrived starving so I asked for a table right away. Was hoping weather would clear up by the time I finished eating. Server Alejandro was attentive. I did order a cappuccino and received a black coffee but he was apologetic & asked if he could bring over milk, which he did right away. I told him I was starving so he comped me a mix of plantain + other chips in a platter with 3 dips. I ordered the Cubanito Playa Blanca which came with plantain chips. It was good. Nothing spectacular but it wasn't bad at all. I also had 2 different flavored mojitos and a bottled water. Bill was around $55 USD total so yes, this place is expensive. When sun made its appearance I moved to the beach. Again servers were attentive and maybe because it wasn't crowded? Service was great & wish I could remember my server's name. Had 2 other flavored mojitos at the beach (totsl $25 USD). All in all in my 6 hours there I spent about $90 USD (including tips). Best of all, the beach has no seaweed. It was clear blue water, white sand, no bugs, and beach chairs...

Something went terribly wrong. Not staying in the Punta Cana Resort but having diner reservations at Playa Blanca, we had to pass through the guard gate, much like we did, successfully, the night before when dining at La Yola. This time, however, security immediately said "Playa Blanca is closed". Closed? But I have reservations, and Playa Blanca reached out to me the day before to confirm them. I showed the guards my reservation confirmation email. No matter. "Playa Blanca is closed".

We pulled over and called the restaurant directly. After explaining our situation, the concierge said "I'm sorry they are not taking guests right now". I explained that we have a reservation. he said, "I understand, but they are not taking anyone without a reservation." But we HAVE one. "I understand" he said "but they are not taking customers right now. I asked if they are closed. he paused and said "yes".

We found another place to eat that night. While there, Playa Blanca called me to say there was a mistake at the guard gate, and they should have let us in because we had a reservation. They apologized appropriately. I decided not to remind him about our earlier phone call to the restaurant where we were again told that we could...