07/2016 - Blue Moon Restaurant

[ezsmile]

A couple of weeks ago I was telling Irie about an East Indian/Dominican fusion restaurant I had been to, called the Blue Moon Restaurant (or Retreat). He had not heard of it so I thought I would throw this up.

http://www.bluemoonretreat.net/

To get there from Sosua or Cabarete, you drive east and south to Sabaneta de Yasica, and turn west and south at the major intersection, towards Jamao el Norte and El Cumbre. I think that is Highway 21. Shortly after passing over the bridge that crosses Rio Yasica, you enter the hamlet of La Mina, and then as the road climbs you will see their entrance sign on the left of the highway. I am guessing it is about 5 miles/8 km from Sabaneta de Yasica.


http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133773&d=1468371484

[ezsmile]

You should phone for reservations, as they often have retreats booked and then there is no space for other people. It is a fixed menu, served in a dining hall under a thatched roof, in a common room where the dinner guests sit or lounge on cushions, eating off of banana leaves placed in front of them. No cutlery or dishes other than the serving dishes), you eat in the Indian fashion, with your fingers, right hand only. Cost is about $800 pesos per person as I remember, with drinks extra.

If you do go, get there a bit early, like 6 PM if dinner is at 7 PM, as the front half of the dining room has low backed walls that you can lean on, if you get there late and are left with the cushions at the end of the hall, you better be good at sitting cross-legged for a couple of hours!

I don't imagine there would be too many chicas who would like the food, as it does have a lot of Indian flavouring and spice. You would need to take an adventurous spirit and possibly one that can hold her own in what would probably be very middle class tourist company.

Getting there early is nice anyway, as they have very nice grounds and a funky bar and artwork. Also a pool if you are so inclined. I never used it.

the pool

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133767&d=1468371118

[ezsmile]

the grounds

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133768&d=1468371150

some artwork on the side of a building

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133771&d=1468371291

[ezsmile]

the bar

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133770&d=1468371237


http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133759&d=1468370841

[ezsmile]

A clean kitchen

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133766&d=1468371085

[ezsmile]

The dining hall. Take the seats to the left or to the right, and try not to get the seats in the middle at the end. Remove shoes when entering, so don't forget that pedicure!

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133769&d=1468371185

The first time I was there I had the cushions in the middle at the end, so I know of what I speak

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133860&d=1468769584

[ezsmile]

You start off with a little bit of instruction on how to roll up a ball of rice with some food by only using one hand and then managing to get it in your mouth

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133861&d=1468769621

First dish was some pakoras with various sauces

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133761&d=1468370881

[ezsmile]

The main course is some chicken and vegetarian dishes , basmati rice, and the sauces

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133762&d=1468370895

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133763&d=1468370911

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133772&d=1468371381

You can eat until you are full

I think maybe there was rice pudding for desert and then chai or coffee to drink. Or maybe no rice pudding, I cannot remember and I have no pics of that.

[ezsmile]

all in all it makes a fun evening, great for a getaway from Sosua and pizza if you happen to get tired of that! Even better if you can find a chica that you can take who would like the food and experience.

[CentralNJDude]

I have seen that place pop up in my google searches but never been there. Except for ex-pats, I am surprised they do a lot of business given the various spices that the locals are not used to. Maybe thats part of the curiosity factor that gets people there. Thanks for the thread!!

[TNT72]

the grounds

Click to see pic (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133768&d=1468371150)



Wow. What a view!

[MH16]

I have seen that place pop up in my google searches but never been there. Except for ex-pats, I am surprised they do a lot of business given the various spices that the locals are not used to. Maybe thats part of the curiosity factor that gets people there. Thanks for the thread!!

I have east indian heritage and still cant stomach those spices... :confused:

[captain69]

Great post EZ!! Food looks terrific. The 45 minute drive from Sosua is easy. Thanks!

[Hunter]

Great post EZ!! Food looks terrific. The 45 minute drive from Sosua is easy. Thanks!

yeah nice post ez

[ezsmile]

Great post EZ!! Food looks terrific. The 45 minute drive from Sosua is easy. Thanks!

you're welcome! the drive is more like 30 minutes from Sosua, and 40-45 from POP airport. Depending on traffic and cows of course. I have taken non-monger friends twice, and since we were a group we used a taxi, that way we could all have a drink or two. Or three

[ezsmile]

I have seen that place pop up in my google searches but never been there. Except for ex-pats, I am surprised they do a lot of business given the various spices that the locals are not used to. Maybe thats part of the curiosity factor that gets people there. Thanks for the thread!!

yeah I don't think they get many Dominicans, pretty much all tourists with some expats thrown in.

[Irie]

Great review Ezsmile and thanks for the info. I'm going to have to make my way up there someday......maybe upon you're imminent return. :surprised:

[MrHappy]

Nice. I've driven past a million times, and have never stopped. Couldn't do that crossed legs sitting though.

Is it just a restaurant, or do they have rooms too?

There's a couple of other "non local" looking places along that route, but never curious enough to stop.

[psriches]

A couple of weeks ago I was telling Irie about an East Indian/Dominican fusion restaurant I had been to, called the Blue Moon Restaurant (or Retreat). He had not heard of it so I thought I would throw this up.

http://www.bluemoonretreat.net/

To get there from Sosua or Cabarete, you drive east and south to Sabaneta de Yasica, and turn west and south at the major intersection, towards Jamao el Norte and El Cumbre. I think that is Highway 21. Shortly after passing over the bridge that crosses Rio Yasica, you enter the hamlet of La Mina, and then as the road climbs you will see their entrance sign on the left of the highway. I am guessing it is about 5 miles/8 km from Sabaneta de Yasica.


Click to see pic (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133773&d=1468371484)Is this the turn off for the mountain road going to Moca and Santiago? Cruce de Sabaneta?

[ezsmile]

Nice. I've driven past a million times, and have never stopped. Couldn't do that crossed legs sitting though.

Is it just a restaurant, or do they have rooms too?

There's a couple of other "non local" looking places along that route, but never curious enough to stop.

They have some bungalows, I did not go look at them. Their website says there are 4 bungalows with 2 apartments each (no kitchen I believe).

The crossed legs sitting is a definitely a drawback for some; they also have a dining room table in an adjoining room for those that want to skip that. It overlooks and is open to the main hall. My second visit there one person used it, he looked kind of lonely sitting there all by himself.

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133862&d=1468769816

[ezsmile]

Is this the turn off for the mountain road going to Moca and Santiago? Cruce de Sabaneta?

I think so. Cruce de Sabaneta is the big intersection at Sabaneta?

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133859&d=1468766166


Blue Moon is on highway 21 in this pic, very near to where the highway 21 label is.

[psriches]

I think so. Cruce de Sabaneta is the big intersection at Sabaneta?

Click to see pic (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=133859&d=1468766166)


Blue Moon is on highway 21 in this pic, very near to where the highway 21 label is.Yes, just at the entrance to the mountain road. I use this road alot, to and from the airport. It leaves me right at the back of the airport in Santiago. About 1hr and 40mins sosua to airport.

[CentralNJDude]

Yes, just at the entrance to the mountain road. I use this road alot, to and from the airport. It leaves me right at the back of the airport in Santiago. About 1hr and 40mins sosua to airport.

Last trip I took a taxi to STI and he took this route. Seemed pretty straight forward except for navigating through a few town streets and the last bit where it brings you from the other side of the airport.

[ezsmile]

Yes, just at the entrance to the mountain road. I use this road alot, to and from the airport. It leaves me right at the back of the airport in Santiago. About 1hr and 40mins sosua to airport.


Last trip I took a taxi to STI and he took this route. Seemed pretty straight forward except for navigating through a few town streets and the last bit where it brings you from the other side of the airport.

my route to STI as well (well, my taxi's route!)