Being spoiled by the fried chickette and Boca crumbles on the menu of every grill in Ghent,

Quenna's.

it’s always a challenge for me to move outside of my comfort zone and explore the other tastes and cultures that our sister cities and neighborhoods are offering.

But when I heard that there was a new raw vegan restaurant called Quenna’s in Ocean View, I snapped out of my bubble and quickly hit the road.

I drove about 20 minutes outside of Ghent to check out this new location, having no idea what to expect and anxious for a healthy, hearty meal. I arrived at the restaurant, nestled in a cozy shopping center off of Granby, and was quickly met with a warm, friendly greeting and a relaxed, vibrant energy. The first thing I noticed was the large, open, impeccably clean kitchen where Quenna and her husband Terry, who share roles as both the owners and executive chef, were hard at work crafting cuisine for a small table’s dinner orders.

Victor, the vivacious and personable server, took me to my table and chatted briefly with me. His positivity and excitement for the restaurant was truly palpable and contagious. The gentle, spirited vibe of my surroundings was like a welcome breath of fresh air after a long day at the office.

As I looked over the menu, I noticed that the selections were only for this week, as the menu itself changes weekly and is totally based on what vegetables are in season. The majority of dishes stay basically the same, but the accents change with what the garden has to offer. This sentiment really moved me because it showed the level of commitment and passion that Quenna and Terry must share for ripe, fresh, and flavorful ingredients.

Avocado Tomato Appetizer

As an appetizer, I ordered the Avocado Tomatoes ($7.95), which were small, crisp tomatoes that were halved and stuffed gloriously with a thick, smooth, heavenly avocado salad, all topped with tangy black sesame seeds and sprouts. The dish was rich, colorful, and hearty. Each bite was exquisite.

I then moved on to one of their most popular dishes, the Tofu Vegetable Pocket ($8.95). A whole wheat pita pocket was filled to the brim with some of the crispiest, most flavorful vegetables I’ve ever tasted at a restaurant. It looked and tasted as though the sandwich came straight from the garden to my plate; the refreshing thing about this restaurant is that probably is exactly what happened. Broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, beets, bell pepper, and onions were featured in this sandwich, along with a creamy, zesty tofu salad, which very much to me resembled a classic egg or chicken salad, minus the calories and cruelty involved. All topped with a tangy sesame dressing, the pita was large and very filling, and since it was a pocket, it was easy to eat and well contained, which is always a gamble when getting a big sandwich at a restaurant!

Tofu Veggie Pita

Other popular standard sandwiches at Quenna’s include an Apple-Cucumber pita which features red leaf lettuce and spinach and their classic Avocado pita, which includes creamy, seasoned avocados alongside fresh mushrooms, spinach, and more. The restaurant also offers a couple main course options if you’re looking for something more than a sandwich. This week, both options featured Kush (bulgar wheat); one with a sesame dressing and tomato sauce, and the other wrapped in Chapatti bread with sea greens.

Salads, fruit and nut based desserts, and hot herbal teas also stood out on the menu. Quenna’s is known for their juice and smoothie bar as well, all freshly squeezed and blended with herbs and sweet spices.

Original, unique, friendly, and full of flavor, Quenna’s is truly a rare gem that we are lucky to have in Hampton Roads. If you thought that a raw plant-based menu would just consist of salads and carrot sticks, you are in for quite a shock when you taste these substantial, satisfying specialties. Truly mastering the way our Earth intended for us to eat, Quenna’s is a delight.

Having run vegan restaurants for 33 years (from Philadelphia to the West coast of Africa), Quenna herself is a charming, lovely woman with a flair for exotic tastes and a passion for providing wholesome, healthy foods to the people of our community. She and her family are exactly the kind of local business owners that I am proud to support and I hope you will join me in that effort. I highly recommend breaking out of your comfort zone and infusing your taste buds with a treat from Quenna’s in the very near future.

Quenna’s Raw & Vegan, located at 9619 Granby, is closed on Sunday and Monday. The atmosphere is quite casual. For more information, call 757-714-2396.