Donovans, was one of my most memorable dining experience in Melbourne so far. I visited this awesome restaurant once last year during September for my younger sister's birthday along with my parents and i thoroughly enjoyed their food, service and ambience there.
It's really a pain in the arse having to book for a large group here for functions (even a table for 2 took Ching 1 week in advance to book it), so i was very excited and looking forward for my return when i was told that baby will be bringing me there for my birthday dinner (part 2)!!
We were ushered to their waiting couch while the customers were signing off their bills and leaving our reservation table to us. A very cosy little cottage design with a touch of vintage feel, aint it? The fireplace was just what i needed to keep me warm from the crazy bizarre Melbourne weather.
After a brief wait, we were led to our table, seated near the window view, overlooking St Kilda beach.
We ditched wine for the night and i opted for a Lychee Martini for a starter drink while the man ordered his favourite Peroni beer.
I knew exactly what i wanted for appetizer at the back of my head (memories from 1st visit)- Steamed mussel in the Spanish way with ancho chilli purée.
I absolutely loved every bits of it!!! The mussels didn't shrink in their sizes from the cooking (it normally does shrink a lot when we cook it right??) and the broth was so flavourful that the man licked his spoon clean!!
(Appetizer was shared between two as they are really generous with the portion)
Mains:
Victorian lamb two ways - roasted rump and slow cooked breast - with creamy mash and rosemary sauce
The man ordered this dish and loved it to its bits and pieces. He gave it a 10/10 from its taste to its flavour to how fairly it's done. The mash was done to its finest, retaining the taste of natural potatoes (not packet powder mashes) and with the compliment from the sauce, it was finger-licking good!!
Black Angus T-bone of beef from the Western District
I was quite disappointed with my dish to be honest. It was great in the sense that it could have been a flavoursome piece of steak, only if it wasn't for the badly burnt surface and meat was far overdone than a "medium rare"
I know very well that i could have ask for an exchange or return the steak for another piece but i was really hungry and it took some time for the food to arrive, so it wasn't a choice for me then.
The sides that came with my steak: lettuce salad and herb fried potatoes
Wanna know why T-bone steak is called a t-bone? hehe
(very silly question, i know)
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It's because when u stripped it bare, you'll find the alphabet T!!
hahahahahahaha
Ok, that was some cheap laugh.. -.-
Excuse my retardness at this wee hour...
Birthday Girl -Me!!
The man was so satisfied with his meal that even paying the bills makes him happy!! haha
Donovans is really creating with their decorations.ck out their male's toilet
So ruggard eh?
On the very contrary, the female toilet looks like a fairy land garden!! So pweetty!!
Ratings:
Service: 9.5/10
(the attendants are too dedicated to their job!! So so professional and well-trained)
Ambience: 8/10
(it can get a bit too noisy due to high level of chatting conversations)
Food: 8/10
(it could have been perfect if its not for the burnt t-bone!!)
Overall: 8.5/10
(it's definitely a place worth the regular visit!!)
