Dominican Restaurant 5, Deer Park: First bites
The pernil (pork) and rice with fried sweet plantains at Dominican Restaurant 5 in Deer Park. Credit: Newsday/Joan Reminick
There’s some kind of magic in the sweet fried plantains at the new Dominican Restaurant 5 in Deer Park. The crusty glaze, the lush and creamy interior. Two bites and I’m hooked.
One of a several affiliated numbered Dominican restaurants, this newcomer has a few booths, a counter and a steam table, plus a few tables outside under a canopied enclosure. The small staff is hard-pressed to keep up with what looks like a booming takeout business, so table service can be sporadic and slow. Forget amenities; utensils are plastic, although dishes aren’t.
The food is the lure — dishes like softly shredded pernil ($12), roast pork moistened with savory juices. And shrimp in a spicy-garlicky red sauce ($13). The tres leches cake ($3.50) has to be one of the richest going.
Dominican Restaurant 5 is at 1897 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, 631-940-9783.
Above: This is the pernil with rice and fried plantains at Dominican Restaurant 5 in Deer Park.
