Dominican Restaurant Toronto

corazonpartioamor · #1 05-02-2006, 10:35 AM

Hey Everyone,

Recently went to the Dominican Restaurant in Toronto La Rancheta. They are doing a buffet style Sunday's and Monday's for 9.95 per peson. There was a good selection of meats, Sancocho, different style rices and beans too. The whole typical Dominican Fare for only 9.95. If your in Toronto its a cheap dinner out, especially on a Monday when you dont feel like cooking!

The Address is 879 St.Clair Ave West
Toronto, Ontario
416-656-6501

www.dominican-restaurant.com

Give it a try. I live very close to there and went for the first time last night and I was pleased because I got to eat my SAncocho, just that was worth the 9.95.

CNV

Fiesta Mama · #2 05-02-2006, 09:04 PM

Is this not the restaurant that used to be called "The Friendly Dominican"? If so, I was totally not impressed. The food was mediocre and the prices were high. Considering my husband and I were the only people in the place when we went (about 8:00 p.m. on a Friday night), that was not a good sign. It's hard to find somewhere in Toronto that can duplicate an authentic atmosphere of any typical restaurant in the DR.

The best places in the DR are places like a seafood restaurant on the side of the road in Maimon that is a favourite of ours (between Puerto Plata and Santiago that I don't know the name of) where you just tell the cook which fish you want and then go in the back and sit at picnic-table like seating. Excellent food and five people can eat like a king for about 600 pesos!

corazonpartioamor · #3 05-03-2006, 12:17 AM

Hey Fiesta Mama,

Yeah its the same place you mentioned in your relpy. Its not authentic as it could be, its more Canadianized, however for the 9.95 buffet, you can get your rice and beans and stewed meat and some SAncocho.

tarrantino · #4 05-03-2006, 09:06 AM

I was curious about the Dominican restaurant on St. Clair, I wanted to try it,but now I got mixed reviews, so I don't know that it is worth the trip from my neck of the woods.

I am curious about the restaurant in the DR though. I have asked a few times if someone knew of a good Dominican restaurant in Sosua. There are plenty of restaurants along the streets when I go, but I would like to go to one that has "really good" food.

Fiesta Mama, can yu remember the name of the street that the restaurant is on?

FireGuy · #5 05-03-2006, 09:44 AM

tarrantino,

Maimon is really only one street - LOL.

Fiesta Mama was referring to the various fresh fish restaurants in the fishing village of Maimon west of POP. There are several and depending on your preferences any one of them might be your personal favourite. Mine is called Parada Mi Bahia and is on the main road from POP to Santiago (via Imbert and the tunnel). Fried fish with tostones and a grande - yum.

Gregg

tarrantino · #6 05-03-2006, 02:13 PM

That's funny. Okay, so at least I have an idea of where to find some more restaurants. I will definitely be trying some.

Thanks

simpson Homer · #7 05-03-2006, 03:53 PM

I went last year food was not really good specially for the price, not wonder why they are doing buffet prob. to keep the business.

To be honest that's not a place that I will go often might be for a get together but not for pleasure.

to judge the restaurtant well. 2 of 10 on food flavor, service 5 of 10. When you dont see enough Dominicans in that place that will answer a lot of question.

place always empty. any villa mella fritura will taste better.

gonzaga · #8 05-07-2006, 08:59 PM

I know the owner, his daughter (dominicans) and the staff that work at the Dominican Rest. on St. Clair. Every business has it's peak and slow times.

The buffet that started last year has done well for them. Although, I will say that since the weekend entertainment, the entertainers, Wilson & Paulino, who no longer perfoms, the place has certainly loss a little of it's flavor, and those of you who were there during this time will know, the fun atmosphere. Also, with the loss of Danny, who has persued another career. I will say that the food is good, (menu a little expensive) and the buffet price is standard for the choice.

As Homer mentioned, "When you dont see enough Dominicans in that place that will answer a lot of question". This is no true, and I don't mean any offence here. The customers at this restaurant has never been or have been mostly dominicans. It's mainly a different mix of latin/hispanic and now more and more non-latin customers are coming. It's my experience and from talking with my friends (dominicans) here in Toronto, that they don't spend that kind of money on eating out. This is not only true for restaurants, but even for Dominican concerts events in Toronto. The least of the crowd are Dominicans.

So, if anyone had or has a desire to try this place, check it out. Try going there on Mother's day, without a reservation, you are not likely to get in. I have not been to the restaurant since last November, and I don't think it has changed that much.

Fiesta Mama · #9 05-07-2006, 09:51 PM

Tarrantino,

I don't know the name of the place in Maimon but my husband is Dominican and it supposedly is a Dominican favourite. If you are driving from POP towards Santiago, it's on your right-hand side. The cooking/service part is highway level and for parking you turn off the right-hand side and park down below. The seating is in the back under roof-top cover with open air sides. It was excellent. I don't recommend, however, that tourists venture out on their own to try this place as it's about 40 minutes from the airport and Maimon is directly on the highway to Santiago and can be dangerous to park/drive on.

As for Sosua... my husband and I enjoy a restaurant called "Alberto's Pizzeria/Italian". It's on the same street as Casa Marina Hotel but about 10 minutes further along towards Playa Chiquita (almost at the road that would lead up to the Sosua Car Wash). However this is Italian.

If you want authentic Dominican at great prices and great food... walk along Playa Sosua to the Charmicos side and walk straight up the hill (that is the street that extends from the beach) and walk past the bakery (on the left), the money exchange on the right and P.J.'s supermarket on the right and after a side street on the right-hand side you will come to a restaurant called "D'Aldo's". It is painted mint green, it's clean and has great authentic Dominican food at Dominican prices". Also a favourite of ours!

Have fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarrantino

I was curious about the Dominican restaurant on St. Clair, I wanted to try it,but now I got mixed reviews, so I don't know that it is worth the trip from my neck of the woods.

I am curious about the restaurant in the DR though. I have asked a few times if someone knew of a good Dominican restaurant in Sosua. There are plenty of restaurants along the streets when I go, but I would like to go to one that has "really good" food.

Fiesta Mama, can yu remember the name of the street that the restaurant is on?

tarrantino · #10 05-07-2006, 10:30 PM

Thanks Fiesta Mama, I will definitely try this restaurant. I am going to walk along the beach to try to find the Catholic Church, so if I continue, I will more than likely find the restaurant.
I will let you know what I think