Donjuán Cartagena

The chic, blue-and-white palette, denim napkins, floor-to-ceiling wine racks, an intimate bar and inevitable crowd of smartly dressed locals make Donjuán Cartagena the kind of casual fine dining restaurant that Hampton residents wish they had. Here Chef Juan Felipe Camacho and his energetic staff (who wear white Crocs as part of their uniform) present wonderfully fresh and well-rounded dishes like grilled grouper on lemon parmesan risotto and pork chops with fried yucca and artichoke aioli.  Even ingredients that are often not done well in Cartagena, like lamb, succeed in the hands of this chef who trained at Michelin-starred restaurants before opening his own in 2009.

Indagare Tip: Don’t settle for a reservation at Maria, the restaurant chef Camacho opened next door. It does not get the same kind of raves.  And be aware that when large groups are dining, service at Donjuán Cartagena can become rushed. Reservations required.