Donna Jean — Restaurant in San Diego

Quite a bit late in providing a review but finally getting it done since we enjoyed the food and service While we were visiting San Diego in June 2023, we were looking for a good vegan restaurant where we could dine with some friends who were not vegan but were willing to try vegan food . We chose Donna Jean since it was close to our hotel and close to their home. When I looked at the online menu for Donna Jean, I was excited as they had some unique items and it was also rated highly by other patrons. Since we were 8 of us I made a reservation in advance and luckily got a table on a Saturday evening.

Food - Since we were a group of 8 and none of us had tried the food, we decided to order a variety of foods from the menu and share the dishes so all could sample. The server was very friendly and offered suggestions based on what we generally liked. We ordered Cast Iron Mac & Cheese, Hot Shrooms, Really Good Salad, Ceasar Salad, Fancy Garlic Fries, Killer Queen, Gluten Free Strozzapreti Con Broccolini, House breads with Garlic Butter & Pesto. For Dessert we had ordered Strawberry Cheesecake & Double Chocolate Oat Brownie. Overall the food was very good with unique flavors and we all enjoyed it especially the Mac & cheese, Hot Shrooms, Salad & Brocollini. We finished every dish ! Even my friends who had never dined at a fully vegan restaurant enjoyed the food

Service - The Servers were all very friendly and chatty. Since this was our first time there they also provided suggestions as to what was generally popular with other patrons and also what we may like based on our preference. They constantly came around to ensure we were OK with teh food and/or drinks

Ambiance - Very nice with indoor and outdoor seating. Since it was a nice day we sat outside and spent almost 3 hours

Overall had a fantastic time albeit place is a...

Donna Jean has to be one of the most incredible vegan restaurants I’ve tried and I’ve been to more than half the ones in Portland, OR.

My partner and I had the STROZZAPRETI CON BROCCOLINI, the FUNGAZI and WIDOW pizzas, and the HOT SHROOMS.

I can honestly say everything was absolutely divine. There was depth of flavor in every bite. The “Nashville Hot” inspired oyster mushrooms had an additional almost Indian flair that complemented the mushrooms well. I suspect this was a smidgeon of turmeric added either to the sauce or the batter. A very nice touch. I would absolutely order this dish again.

The absolute show stopper for me was the Widow Pizza. I have always loved fig and sweet balsamic glazes on my artisan pizzas, but I had never tried a pizza with date. It was magical and their ricotta style cheese is out of this world. I honestly think it tasted better than any ricotta I remember from non vegan life.

I didn’t expect the pasta dish we ordered to pack a wow factor compared to these two dishes but it did not disappoint either. There were subtle citrus and maybe Serrano pepper notes in this dish (not spicy), and a rich, creamy sauce that worked really well with broccolini.

I really appreciate the creativity in these dishes and subtle hints of flavors and aromas that brought so much depth and character to each one we tried.

I make a pretty incredible vegan bolognaise myself so I can’t wait to return and try their version of it next time because to me this dish is the very definition of rich hearty cuisine with depth of flavor.

We got takeout so I can’t speak to the service too much but the bartender who brought our food was very attentive. The vibe of the place is really cool, very casual and rustic for a place that has such a refined cuisine.

My partner and I can’t...

My recent visit to Donna Jean, a renowned vegan restaurant, was a journey of culinary delights with a slight setback. The standout items from my experience were the "Fungazi" pizza and the "Widow Oh So Drunk" hard kombucha.

The "Fungazi" pizza was a vegan masterpiece. Its thin, crispy crust harmonized beautifully with the rich flavors of wild mushrooms and the restaurant's own vegan cheese. This dish challenges the norms of traditional pizza with its plant-based ingredients, yet delivers a taste that rivals its non-vegan counterparts.

Pairing perfectly with the pizza was the "Widow Oh So Drunk" hard kombucha. This beverage struck a delightful balance between tartness and sweetness, offering a unique twist to the evening's dining experience. It's a commendable choice for those seeking a healthier and tastier alternative to conventional alcoholic drinks.

However, my experience was slightly marred by the discovery of a "Health Insurance Surcharge" of 3% on my bill. I was quite surprised and admittedly, not entirely pleased to find this additional charge. While I understand the importance of supporting employee health benefits, I believe transparency regarding such surcharges is crucial. Customers should be informed about these charges beforehand, as it can impact the overall dining experience and perception of value.

In conclusion, while Donna Jean excels in delivering exceptional vegan cuisine, particularly with their "Fungazi" pizza and "Widow Oh So Drunk" kombucha, the experience would benefit from greater transparency regarding additional surcharges. It's a gem for vegan food lovers, but awareness of extra costs is essential for a fully...