Donna Mac modernizes grandma's resourcefulness and good taste in Calgary's Beltline

There's a new dining option in the Beltline, in a modern new building with a sleek Sarah Ward-designed interior.

Named after co-owner and director of operations Amy Turner's grandmother, Donna Mac focuses on thoughtful, simple and seasonal cuisine designed with families, friends and the greater community in mind.

"My grandma was an incredibly resourceful person she had six kids, and taught me all about hospitality," says Turner, sitting at the marble bar on one of the rosy beige stools the shade of Mary Kay liquid foundation.

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"She hunted, she had a gardenand made amazing meals out of not much."

The original Donna Mac provided for her family with her butchery, carpentry and woodworking skills.

"My grandmother based her existence on resourcefulness, and we want this restaurant to emulate those same qualities," says Turner.

They strive for culinary resourcefulness, sustainability and reducing food waste in the restaurant, without compromising quality.

Joined by restaurant veterans Jeff Jamieson, Jesse Willis and Justin "Tino" Longpre in the kitchen, Donna Mac takes up the northwest corner of the new Versus building at 917, 10thAvenue S.W.

Collectively, the team has created or been involved with many of the city's go-to eateries Turner has managed restaurants including Model Milk and Anju, and Jamieson and Willis are best known for their contribution to Calgary's spirits scene with Vine Arts and Proof.

Executive chef Longpre was previously in the kitchen at Model Milk, and most recently in charge of the food at Proof.

"Our purpose is to share with guests the flavours and conversations that inspire us in the moment," says Turner.

"The menu is based on resourcefulness it's going to change all the time."

Inspired by what grows regionally and seasonally, they plan to use as much of each whole ingredient as possible not just nose to tail, but root to stem.

Open for lunch and dinner and brunch on the weekends, Donna Mac serves up a wide variety of dishes, from beef cheeks with jalapeo-cheddar potatoes to pistachio-crusted roasted carrots with sticky apple cider glaze on a bed of lemony mascarpone.

There are even vegan options, like the house-made tortellini with eggplant, cashew cheese, tomato, red pepper and seeds, inspired by Turner's recent leap to veganism, and their collective desire to ensure no diner feels left out or forced into limited options.

"We were trying to decide how to explain to Calgary what it is we're doing, and somebody commented, it's kind of like going to your grandmother'shouse for dinner," Turner says.

"You don't know what's going to be on the menu but it doesn't matter, because you know it's going to be great it's going to be good wineand good times."

Donna Mac will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., including weekend brunch.

For more information, visit their websiteor follow themon Twitter and Instagram.

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