Ministry of Culture Gives Recognition to Mesón de Bari Restaurant

Ministry of Culture Gives Recognition to Mesón de Bari Restaurant
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, September 3, 2014

The Mesón de Bari restaurant, located in the heart of the Colonial City, was recognized by the Ministry of Culture for its exquisite and excellent contributions to the promotion of the traditional Creole cuisine in the Dominican Republic.

Other officials that attended the event ceremony, besides the Minister of Culture, were Deputy Ministers Claudio Cohen and Carlos Santos; the Director of the Museum of Casas Reales, Ana Yee de Kury; the General Director of Communications, Irasema Jiminián; and, Niní Cáffaro, Director of the National Theater.

The Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez, visited the establishment, located in Hostos street at the corner with Salome Ureña, to recognize the more than 35 years of dedication offering, on the restaurant’s menu, the wide variety of dishes from the Dominican cuisine that cannot be found at any other restaurant. 

Other officials that attended the event ceremony, besides the Minister of Culture, were Deputy Ministers Claudio Cohen and Carlos Santos; the Director of the Museum of Casas Reales, Ana Yee de Kury; the General Director of Communications, Irasema Jiminián; and, Niní Cáffaro, Director of the National Theater.

The certificate of recognition that was presented to the owners and administrators of the famous establishment reads “Mesón de Bari contributes in this manner to value our culinary tradition and to highlight the multiple facets of our identity, in particular those related to the gourmet taste and to the delight of the most demanding palates, with regard to flavor, aroma, texture and presentation of the local food.”

This award took into account that the mission of the Ministry of Culture is to enhance, disseminate, and promote any instance in which Dominican culture and traditions are celebrated.

After a few words, the Minister and singer and song writer, said that he decided to present the certificate to this establishment because very few restaurants represent the traditional Dominican food the way Mesón de Bari does.

He emphasized that on this occasion, this is an act of justice, because we are “valuing what is ours by recognizing this establishment.”

Lucina Mejía thanked the Minister of Culture for this honorable distinction, and said that this is an incentive to continue serving the best Dominican food to both local patrons as well as foreigners.

This family-run business, which started in a small diner on the second floor of the building, began selling the famous “cantinas” (lunchboxes) to the offices and banks located in the surrounding Colonial City, as well as to passersby, around lunch time.

Some of the distinguished personalities that have visited this place are: Oscar de la Renta, Juan Luis Guerra, Carolina Herrera, Armando Manzanero, Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, among others, who have come to enjoy the bohemian environment, our culture, and especially, our gastronomy.

The Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez, Cuqui Mejía, Lucina Mejía and Antonia González.