Bavaro plaza? Please advise...

We are staying at the Barcelo Bavaro resort in mid January and friends of ours are at the Iberostar Punta Cana. We would like to meet somewhere for lunch or dinner outside the resorts. What is at Bavaro plaza? Are there any safe places to eat there? Is it an outdoor market or more like a shopping mall? Would it be easy to meet someone there or is it too busy? Is it safe to be there after dark? Any other suggestions on a meeting place? Thanks

Meet at either of your hotels if you are concerned with safety, there are no problems I have seen in Punta Cana

You could meet for lunch at Capitan Cook in the Cortecito village, directly on the beach and "feet in the sand"

There are some good restaurants right on the beach in "El Cortecito". It is absolutely safe to go there, just take a cab.

Are they open for lunch? What else is there in El Cortecito? Any shops or little bars? Thanks for your help.