Dona Tomas Review

Dona Tomas delivered nicely spiced, deceptively simple Mexican dishes. Aside from one somewhat dry dish, our only complaint was that the chefs tended to be a little heavy-handed with the salt.

We started the meal with margaritas, selecting "Margarita de La Reyna (El Tesoro, Countreau & lime)" from their list of three different margaritas. We were all pleased by the margarita's strong, limey nature. The difference between the margaritas is the quality of the tequila used. One margarita costs $20. Incidentally, they have a large tequila menu.

Along with margaritas, we got salty tortillas chips. They were almost a lost cause, but the quality of the topping of queso fresco and the side of dark, deep, smokey guajillo chili dipping sauce made them worth eating as conveyance for those flavors.

As for entrees, since each came with a number of side dishes and I'm not sure which came with what, I'll just review everything as separate items: 

• Carne asada: "thinly sliced beef tossed with finely minced cilantro, garlic, and lime zest." Salty but cooked very well.

• Carnitas: "pork rubbed with Mexican oregano and slow roasted." Dry. Grilled. Oj was definitely a fan.

• Chiles rellenos: "roasted poblano chiles stuffed with zucchini, spinach, onions, and queso in a tomato sauce topped with marjoram and cream served with pureed black beans." Tastes fresh and lively from a good mixture of fresh, nicely spiced vegetables.

• Green rice. Standard.

• Refried beans. Good. We especially liked that there were still a few whole beans in the mix.

• Corn on the cob. Nicely grilled, though both over-salted and undercooked.

• Tortillas. Good. Served fresh and hot.

We ordered the dessert of cilantro sherbet (two green scoops), which was weird, and mango-passionfruit sorbet (two orange scoops), which tasted bright. The dessert felt larger than it appeared.

With dessert, someone ordered rum straight up, which was served in a wine glass, and someone else had coffee.

The decor and atmosphere felt a bit like a happening joint near a Mexican beach. Thus, naturally, it was muggy and loud.

The total was $26/person including tax and tip but not including drinks.

Original Announcement

Today we'll let one of our members guide us to his favorite local Mexican joint, Dona Tomas, on the Oakland-Berkeley border. It's said that the scene and the food make one feel as if he's eating in a Mexican village.

http://www.donatomas.com/

Comments from Other Attendees

We didn't get to order one highly recommended dish, budin de elote (corn & squash pudding). Also, I'm told the chili rellenos, although the fillings vary seasonally, are always excellent. -mark

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