A thick wooden door, with arches, stands out with its vivid pink color on Arzobispo Nouel 202 and José Reyes street, in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, where the surroundings are, definitely less colorful. From the outside you might not recognize the name of the place, chosen after a Caribbean musical instrument, “Maraca”, and artistically disguised for me, but I entered. The façade, art deco, pink and green, is also appealing.
A beautiful woman with a Caribbean or African style and colorful head wrap welcomes us from a painting that dominates the final wall of the waiting area and reminiscent of the famous Brazilian dancer and actress Carmen Miranda. I get close to it looking for the author and only then I notice it is mosaics art… The artist is Willy Gómez. The same wall has a long and comfortable sofa inviting you to sit and relax, you can choose the sofa or any of the armchairs there, where elements reminiscent of the jungle, such as plants, textile designs, metal figures on the table, honor our African heritage … Deer antlers hang on the right side (but relax, there are not horns of the animal, but an exotic plant with a unique shape known by that name).
The eclectic decor contains super tropical elements: Plants, cheerful colors in cushions, crockery, pictures and floral printed cloth napkins that give life to wooden furniture (they don’t use table cloths so you can enjoy the table per se), contrasting with modern elements, such as the base of the bar stools, lamps, moving images broadcasted on the patio wall, a golden and contemporary console table… everything harmonize and gives a pleasant feeling, not overloaded.
There are four areas, and in the first one (waiting room or lobby), bar mixologist Jonathan offers me a Maraca Punch, his flagship drink. This cocktail (juice and mango syrup, spices, vodka and white wine macerated in orange peel), beautiful mixture of flavors and cultures served in a ceramic glass, tells me about a place focused in giving experiences felt with every sense. So first I see, the I touch the ceramic glass, then taste my delicious cocktail and smell the peppermint aroma that is part of the ornament, along with a healthy slice of mango, can you imagine it? And all than while I enjoy the atmosphere, the music, the relaxation… That’s why one of Maraca´s owners say: “Maraca is not a restaurant, it is an experience”. I agree.
The bar, the main dining room, and the patio are the other areas. Describing the place will take away some of the magic you can have discovering things by yourself, but I can tell you I was happy there and since we are in a restaurant I want to tell you about food. Their menu itself is an art piece and their international and fusion culinary offer, under chef Pedro Mota’s responsibility, is classified in three “From the country”, “From the sea” and “From the fire”. They have three size options: Small, Medium, Large, and prioritize quality ingredients and freshness, so their pastas and doughs are home-made, and most aromatic herbs and sprouts are from their garden. They buy fresh fish daily to local fisherman and you taste the difference. I had a “Maraca ceviche” with tangerine tiger milk and “crab cracklings” and breadfruit tostones. Good prize-quality balance. Variety and fusion go from nonigiri, carpaccios, tacos, risottos, tortellini to salads, fungi (mushrooms), dumpling, tartare, Duck or Goat roulade to Tomahawk Steak (the biggest of all .32 ounces) … I guess it is for a family!
Their menu is in Spanish but there are English people willing to help if needed. It doesn’t include desserts but ask them, home made ice-cream is a great option.
Enjoy!
Miriam Veliz
