Donovan's
Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000
Runner up: Best establishment, $45-60
Page 26
Donovan's
Surrounded by all the comforts of home a couple sit at the bar at Donovans
To Kevin Donovan running a good restaurant seems to be second nature. He's had a lot of experience over years with the Hyatt and with Chinois. Now at Donovan's with wife Gail their combined talents and good taste are even more apparent. There are some great Donovan touches - like being able to see the spotless kitchen with the whole brigade at work as one enters the restaurant.
It would be hard to imagine a restaurant that feels more like dining in a private home. In winter the openfire place provides a cosy atmosphere, and the family-style furniture blends perfectly with the more formal dining area near the picture window that looks out across Port Philip Bay. Even the rest rooms are unusually and attractively homey. The colour scheme changes for summer if any further incentive should be needed to bring people to a sunny beach side restaurant.
The 'tower' of antipasti dishes, sometimes loaded with fruit instead, can be spectacular and the bar area is exceptionally comfortable and user-friendly (but there have been periods of peak business when diners have been asked to wait here too long before tables come available) Those who just like nibbles or bring their children can select from the 'Cubby House' menu and there is a small option of "Dishes for Two" that are ideal for those couples whose tastebuds think as one.
40 Jacka Boulevard
St Kilda
Melways refernce 57:K11
Phone: 9534 8221
Opening hours: 7 days 12 noon-10.30pm (last orders, licensed to 1am)
Licensed & BYO
Corkage: Rarely- $10 per bottle
Accept credit cards
Seating inside: 120, Outside: 20
Features: Restircted smoking, kids encouraged, private room seats 28, bar
Favourites: 4 tastes of the day $15.00, Tom Cooper's smoked salmon $14.00, Warm duck leg salad $14.00
*An updated review of Donovans can be found here
|
