Cap Cana Restaurant : Bözingenstrasse 27, 2502 Biel

Excellent

Does "Cap Cana" bring the Dominican Republic to the table? I expected/hoped for intense flavors, freshness, fruity spiciness, and depth. Let's see if that's what it turned out to be: I was full of anticipation for "Cap Cana" in Biel – a restaurant that, according to the menu and reviews, serves authentic Dominican cuisine and is run by people from the Dominican Republic. That's precisely why my expectations were high. When I arrived, I was the only customer. The weather was nice, so I took a seat outside. Luckily, there was little traffic on the main road, so it was bearable. The reception was very friendly. The menu was available online (unfortunately only in French) and promises classics like kipe, pícalonga, rice with beans, plantains, and various fish dishes – a well-rounded selection of typical local dishes. To get an overview, I asked for "typical Dominican dishes" as a mixed starter and main course. A non-alcoholic cocktail was to be my refreshing companion, and it went very well. First, a typical soup was served, intended to offer a small taste of the flavors to come. The portion was very small, intended to whet the appetite. This was followed by traditional empanadas and kipe, which had a very good consistency and were also convincing in terms of taste. The main course was to be the Dominican Pícalonga with a side of rice. A selection of mixed meats from beef, pork, chicken, and a sausage. The side dishes were some salad, baked or fried plantains (see photos), and a stalk that tasted neutral like a potato. Unfortunately, the anticipated palate explosion was far from over. The rice and beans were extremely dry, fried, lacking the creaminess you'd expect from rice, even if it were fried. A distinct flavor stood out, lacking any depth or freshness. The beef was unfortunately completely overcooked, dry, deep-fried, or reheated several times – more tough than juicy, with a dominant flavor, lacking the aromatic depth of a marinade. The pork was reminiscent of roast pork – solid, but not typical, lacking a "characteristic" or freshness, although the possibilities were there. The chicken leg, very crispy breaded/fried, unfortunately, also lacked any punch. I assume it was a longaniza, which was well-seasoned. The plantain was baked or deep-fried, completely neutral, with no caramelized sweetness or spice. The same was true of an oblong side dish that tasted like a weak sweet potato; it was also very dry. A small bowl of homemade salsa (slightly spicy and a bit fruity), something resembling remoulade, and pickled onions, which, along with the lime wedges, were supposed to add a bit of acidity and freshness to the dish. Yes – nice idea, but it seemed more for the aesthetic. For dessert, there was a warm corn cake, very special; you could clearly taste the corn, it had a very pleasant, light sweetness that wasn't overpowering. I really appreciate the effort to serve authentic cuisine, and maybe it just wasn't my day. But especially with Dominican cuisine, I wish for more: more spice, more freshness, more fire and personality on the plate. If the food had been even close to as "peppery" as the bill of well over 70 CHF for one person, my review of the restaurant would certainly have been different. Also, the attention (I was the only guest between 6 and 8 p.m.) unfortunately waned a bit towards the end. Conclusion: A friendly restaurant with a lot of potential and friendly hosts – if taste and authenticity were to be given even greater focus in the future, this could become a true culinary gem. The impression remains that it was a bland taste journey that seemed very promising. There will be a second chance, however.

A real favorite! Cap Cana in Bienne is a great restaurant that I recommend with my eyes closed. The Dominican cuisine is simply delicious – full of flavor, generous and authentic. The atmosphere is incredible, it feels like you’re on vacation as soon as you walk through the door! Between the warm decor and the Merengue music in the background, we are immediately transported. The cocktails are excellent, well proportioned and so good. And above all, the welcome was top notch: smiles, kindness and good humor. A real moment of pleasure, I will return without hesitation