Donna Mac - Calgary

Wonderful experience here! The food is so fresh and delicious. The beet pastrami sandwich is out of this world! So much flavor. The tomato salad was also overwhelming in a good way. I had basic expectations for this but it was much more. Their sour dough bread is perfect. Service was very attentive and the servers were knowledgeable and made good recommendations.

We went for an early Valentine's Day celebration and had a lovely time at Donna Mac. We ordered cocktails, wine, the croquettes, fried cauliflower, beet pastrami, the bavette steak and the six-layer schnitzel. This was definitely a bit too much food for the two of us! The croquettes were the best with a creamy center and smoky aioli. I liked the fried cauliflower next best with the cheesy, dill pickle, whipped pimento. The beets were good too as they were, but would have probably been tastier if we'd ordered the bread you can get with it. The main dishes were pretty good, but I wasn't a fan of the squash my steak was served on. I also wish the plantains were larger (they looked like cornflakes sprinkled on top, hard to taste). The queso was sprinkled on the plate like an afterthought and the chimichurri was more like a red pepper relish. My boyfriend said he enjoyed the schnitzel and loved the mustard inside, but would have liked the meat layers to be a little thinner for more consistent cooking. The customer service was exceptional and the atmosphere was comfortable. We would come back for sure.

Donna Mac is a hidden treasure and I highly recommend it! The chicken sandwich is a must-try, it's large and incredibly tasty. The fries seasoned with za'atar are also fantastic. The wine selection is carefully chosen and offers something for everyone, including some great international options. The staff is attentive, friendly, and has excellent recommendations for food and drink combinations. It's clear they all have a genuine passion for their work.

I wrote a salty review for Donna Mac's a month ago and to my surprise the GM contacted me, we had a conversation about where the service went wrong and I was extended a gift card as an olive branch. I was really impressed with her professionalism on the phone and went back to give the restaurant a second chance. I took the same friend I went with initially and we sat in the same chairs. What a wonderful experience being bathed in attention! The menu had changed since our previous visit, attesting to the seasonal quality and creativity of the food. We shared the beef tartare and oyster mushroom caesar to start, so delicious. My friend had the burger again (she swears by it) and I had a fish dish in coconut curry and it slapped. Thank you for re-instilling my faith in Donna Mac's. The way this GM responded to a mistake is a reflection of the excellence Donna Mac's achieves.

Had a lovely birthday brunch here. Would come again!