Mietta's Review
The Donovan's were in hotels and their care and attention to the detail of the concept are very much in evidence. The conceit in this case being that the restaurant is their house into which you have been invited. A privilege indeed, as few of us have palatial houses on the beach that could double as a ski lodge. It is a big hit with its comfortable, over forty-year-old clientele. Service is good as the Donovan's are always 'around'. Prices are what you would expect from such an upmarket establishment. Robert Castellani's 'Italian' food is the star of this comfortable seaside home.
Other Published Opinions
The Age Good Food Guide 2013 Score: 15.5/20
Gourmet Traveller 2013 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: 1 Star "A sunny weekend lunch at Donovans is one of Melbourne dining's special treats. Inside this converted 1920s bathing house with bay views, owners Kevin and Gail Donovan have created a welcoming interior where chic beach house meets Proven<;al farmhouse"
Age Good Food Guide 2013 Score: 15.5/20 One Hat
Herald Sun Simon Plant, 19 June, 2012 Score: , Staff: 9/10, Drink: 3/5, X-factor: 5/5, Value: 7/10, Total 39/50 "Fifteen years young, Donovans has a renewed focus and sense of fun that warrants a visit.
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Gourmet Traveller 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: One Star "Donovans may be a safe bet, but there's no laurel-resting at this much-loved bayside diner. From the dining room with its upmarket beach house vibe to a well-drilled service team and comprehensive wine list, this is a restaurant that understands hospitality"
Age Good Food Guide 2012 Score: 15/20, 1 Hat
Age Good Food Guide 2012 Score: 15/20, 1 Hat
Age Good Food Guide 2011
Gourmet Traveller 2011 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: * "Overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Donovans could stake a claim as Victoria's most wondrous beach house. Certainly Melburnians seem to think so: for more than a decade. Gail and Kevin Donovan's restaurant has been their first port of call as a place to take out-of-towners"
Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 17/20
Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: * "Donovans has long been one of the restaurants where Melbourne goes to celebrate, to throw caution to the wind and dive head-first into the deep end of the (remarkable) wine list. The detail in the fitout is a small marvel: there's plenty of personality and warmth in this St Kilda designer beach house, complete with an open fire, yet it remains uncluttered"
Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 17/20
Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: * "This sprawling beach house, with its Santa Fe decorative touches and more-is-more approach to style, is all about reassurance. It's one of the few really stellar seaside locations in the Melbourne restaurant firmament, a fact reflected in the largeish prices listed on the menu"
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 17/20
Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "While the inspiration for this bayside restaurant is relaxed beach house, the experience is far more chic than shack"
Herald Sun Eat, Bob Hart, 14-10-06 "Those who occupy tables in the airconditioned and reassuring interior of Donovans are seldom skaters, however. More like high-rollers, actually.They can be heard to remark on the curious attire, hairstyles and bodily adornments favoured by locals"
Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 17/20
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "Donovans readily springs to mind as the restaurant to impress overseas and interstate visitors. The reborn bathers' pavilion opening out onto St Kilda beach offers a very Melbourne experience: not flashy or showy, but hospitable, with responsive service and impeccable food and wine."
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide Best views "Donovans does similarly good things (to Stokehouse) on the water"
Age Good Food Guide 2005
Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "Relax. Take in the sea view. Absorb the beach-house atmosphere. You've never been in better hands. There's nothing like walking into a restaurant and getting the feeling these folk know just what they're doing and will feed you just how you like it."
The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'For special occasions you won't find a better place to go.Gail and Kevin Donovan are the absolute tops in service and food professionals.The water views and the wine list are also outstanding.'
Age Good Food Guide 2004 17/20
Herald Sun, citystyle, 9/3/04, Stephen Downes, Score 11/20,'If you don't mind competent, plain food with your view and an exceptionally relaxing ambience, then Donovans is for you.Mind you, you'll have to pay for it. The wine list, too, is vast and expensive, and even the seven table whites and seven reds by the glass are well above average prices.'
Age, Agenda, 7/3/04, Dani Valent
Gourmet Traveler Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 2 Black Stars, Excellent wine list, Good vegetarian options,'Staggeringly successful, sublimely consistent and always hospitable.Donovans is a place for generous, well-crafted dishes which are consumed with enormous relish...The prices are high, but the value is undeniable.'
Vogue Entertaining & Traveller, March April 2003
Herald Sun, City Style, Dining Out, 29/7/03, Michael Harden
Age, A2, Food&Wine, John Weldon, 5/7/03
Sunday Herald Sun, sunday magazine, eating out, 2003, Sally Fisher
Age Good Food Guide 2003. Score 16/20
Age, Epicure, Restaurants, John Lethlean, 4/6/02, Score 16/20
The Herald Sun, 26.01.02, Bob Hart
The Weekend Australian, 22.09.01, Cameron Stewart