A dozen years ago, Peter Jensen and Ann Kim met and fell in love while working at Momofuku. Since their first date, “we haven’t spent more than a few days apart,” says Kim. Within a year, they were married, and shortly afterwards, they welcomed their first child.
After working at a few other restaurants, the couple yearned for a spot of their own, so they (along with co-owners Jed Smith and Christine Oldham) opened Donna’s on a quiet stretch of Lansdowne in the Junction. It quickly became one of the city’s best west-end restaurants, serving up legendary roast-beef sandwiches, crisp salads and cosy comfort food. “Donna’s is comfortable and warm,” says Jensen. “We try hard to get the details right without being too fussy about it.”
The menu is an international mélange, which, according to Kim, is classic Toronto. “It’s no secret that Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world, and that has given diners here an openness to trying new things,” she says.
“I love that this openness from Torontonians gives restaurants the freedom to stay true to themselves.”
Twelve years into their partnership, Jensen and Kim still delight in taking advantage of all the city has to offer, culinary-wise, together.
These are the restaurants they go to when they’re not at their own.
Best takeout
Ann: The Fish Store and YuNes’ Sandwiches on College never disappoints; I love getting the grouper sandwich with avocado. We will usually split that and the special on rice. They somehow have the most perfectly ripe avocados every time, no matter the season. It’s magic.
Best cocktail bar
Ann: 915 Dupont. It’s a bit of everything: daytime coffee, great food, whiskey, cocktails, DJs — and chess nights!
Peter: We tend to go out for wine instead. For this, Archive is great for a more relaxed night, and the Little Jerry is good if you want to hear a DJ.
The place we’re dying to try
Peter: For our next date night, we will probably go to Mhel, The Fall Bright Tavern or Jamil’s. Our business partner, Jed, always has some great recommendations for new places to try around town and we usually follow his lead.
Best dessert
Peter: We like to go to Koreatown after dinner at home and share a bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert) from Snowday Bingsu Cafe. It’s nice on a hot day because it’s not too heavy.
Hidden gem
Ann: Mac’s Pizza on Dovercourt. Cute room, friendly staff, great little wine list and A+ pizza. Great place to refuel after an afternoon of thrift store shopping in the Bloorcourt and Bloordale area.
The last best thing you ate
Peter: Takja BBQ House: everything was so tasty! The banchan were so modern and well-executed, and the meats were great too.
Current obsession
Ann: When the warmer weather rolls around, we try out as many Korean restaurants as possible to try their naengmyum (cold noodles with icy beef broth). So far nothing beats the one from Cho Sun Ok.
Best fancy dinner
Peter: It’s always excellent.
Best comfort food
Peter: Albert’s Real Jamaican on St. Clair. We go for the oxtail and jerk chicken.
Best lunch spot
Ann: On our days off, we usually go to Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu in Koreatown and share a Combination Soon Tofu and a Spicy Squid.
Best late-night craving spot
Ann: For takeout, PG Clucks all the way. The spicy original with both the poutine and fries supreme.
Peter: Late night after work: Seoulshakers for the Chopped Cheese.
Ann Kim and Peter Jensen’s romantic picks
Your own first-date spot
Ann: On our first date, we bar-hopped and ended up at The Emmet Ray on College.
Peter: Also, when we first started dating, we would meet after work at the Done Right Inn.
Ann: We were working at the same place at the time, and were trying to date in secret, so we would meet at the Done Right because we thought we wouldn’t get caught there. We were wrong!
Best date-night spot
Peter: We usually try to tie in an event or activity like a concert with our date nights, so we go for a quick meal beforehand; we like Anh Dao in Chinatown, or maybe a slice from Fresca. If there is enough time afterward, we might grab a drink at Bathurst Local on the way home.
Most romantic vibes
Ann: For me, it’s Sakai Bar: The room is intimate, the details are so thoughtful, and it’s moody but also calm.
Best food to split
Peter: Marinated raw crabs from Finch JungSooNae in Thornhill. You get two crabs per order. Eating whole raw crabs is a good way to get to know someone.
Best aphrodisiac meal
Ann: I love oysters and if given the chance can eat an alarming number of them in one seating. Island Oysters is great for this, as is Oyster Boy.
