Donovan’s Grill & Tavern
“My experience with Donovan's was always limited to the one in Woodside, Queens.”
“Donovan's of Bayside is still one of the best places to experience fine dining right on Bell Blvd. in the heart of Bayside.”
“This is the kind of place you can dress down and not feel out of place even though the place seems a bit fancier with valet and everything.”
Donovan’s Grill & Tavern
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I probably came here a million times when I was younger but only recently went to Donovan's on NYE for dinner and then again on a Saturday night. On NYE we made a reservation the day of but still waited for about 20 minutes–which for making a last minute reservation, really wasn't bad.
Both times I got the skirt steak sandwich–what can I say!? When I like something I can't help but to get it time and time again 🙂 My only wish is that they would cut the skirt steak into small pieces and pile them on the sandwich because it is a bit difficult to eat as a sandwich otherwise. It came with homemade chips which are perfectly crisp, add a little salt and they're great!
A pleasant surprise was their chicken wings–usually when "Buffalo wings" are written on the menu, I instantly think that it's going to be that bright orange sauce that looks radioactive. This sauce was like a mix between a tangy barbecue sauce and a bar wing sauce. Honestly, I wish I could get 50 of them! They also came in a good portion size. Some of the other dishes ordered included a burger, shepherd's pie and a Mediterranean salad and they all seemed to be crowd pleasers!
Donovan's is definitely one of the staple places of Bayside!
Donovan, let's talk.
You've got a lot going for you. The soda bread is good. The calamari is solid. Your burgers are OK (although, if someone orders one medium rare, don't bring it out well done). The service is great, and you guys deal so well with kids, which goes a long way.
But what is wrong with your fries? French fries should be crispy. They shouldn't bend limply toward the table when I hold one up. They should taste delicious enough to justify the caloric intake, and yours are just so weak that it saddens me.
If the fries were better, and the burgers were cooked properly, we'd be so happy together.
I had heard great things about Donovan's, so I decided to check it out.
It was pretty busy when I came here, but they had an empty seat right by the window. I realized after sitting why it was empty as it was freezing at that table because of a cold breeze by the window. They didn't have any other table, so understandably, couldn't move me. But then a couple came in and sat at a newly empty table next to me, and when they complained about the cold, they were seated at a booth that just emptied too. I don't think that was fair, but no point in arguing I thought.
I ordered their Filet Mignon. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and fried onions on top of the steak. I guess I was expecting better, because I thought it was just ok. I've had better at many cheaper places.
For dessert, I had the Chocolate Lava Cake. I didn't like it much. It tasted more like a brownie that was heated in the microwave.
I did like the ambiance of the restaurant. In the end, the restaurant wasn't terrible, but it wasn't that good either.
I came here for an event that a good friend of mine was hosting here- so I guess I got "special treatment" while here hahha But I am going to comment on my experience here even though I wasn't with the general public.
First of all I gotta say, I really did love the size of the room my friend rented. I mean, it's really big and so well kept. It's all the way in the back. They also have an outside area for people who rent that room. Very nice!
The servers we had were great! Very attentive and brought over anything we needed. I did manage to walk through the actual public area a few times and it seemed like a really relaxed place. Had good music playing throughout all the rooms, not too loud either. I don't know what goes on here at night time lol But I can say during the day it's definitely a good stop for food and drinks!
Since my friend rented the back, it was buffet style food so I got to try a little bit of everything. Had various items, chicken, salmon, pasta, rice, and pork. Everything on my plate was delicious! No complaints.
Also had a few mamosa's which were made just right as well!
In the future if I plan to rent out a spot for any events that hold a lot of people – I'd definitely consider this place!
I came here for valentines day and they made sure we had a great time! They were so accommodating. There was no wait and the service was incredible. We ordered the calamari to start and a bottle of white zinfandel. My boyfriend and I had the Wisconsin burger. My friend had the chicken caesar salad and her boyfriend had another burger as well. It was very decently priced and the decor was beautiful. The music and the ambience of the place was nice. It was a great time. They also have valet parking across the street! Dont have to worry about parking.
Love this place so much so I had a birthday party there! The staff is VERY friendly and helpful! The food is delicious AND they have parking across the street! It's a win win! The ambience and decor is nice too so overall it's a great dining experience. 🙂 thank you to all the staff at donovan's for making my party amazing!
Came here for a friend's event which was located in the rear dining area. The staff was very attentive, asking for our drink orders as soon as we sat and refilling, often. The area they reserve for large events is a wonderful space. It has the capability of being completely cut off from the rest of the restaurant so as to remain private. The restrooms are located right outside the dining room. There was plenty of room for our small gathering and even more space for more guests, if needed.
They had a nice sized buffet spread for us that included a variety of well-prepared menu items such as, a garden salad, seasoned roasted potatoes, penne alla vodka (sans pork!), chicken francese, steamed broccoli and a wonderful salmon dish with horseradish that was so good! They also had a caring station, serving sirloin. Everything was great.
Since it was a dry affair, I went to the bar for a glass of vino. The bartender was super cool. She was very attentive and friendly. You can tell that she enjoys taking care of her patrons and that was reflected in the tip I left her.
While we don't frequent the area often, I would definitely return for a night out with family/friends that live in and around the area.
The Backdrop:
It was a slow Sunday night at the Davydov residence, days away from Halloween. I was working for the earlier portion of the day and had some family come over for lunch at my house. My sister, brother in law, my mother and the my less then a month old nephew come over for some omelettes. It was fun. Started cramming exams into the wee hours of the night until a fellow yelper comes through , u know him better as Michael K., I know him as Haimov ( yell at the top of your lungs when u say that).
Haimov comes in craving a Burgeehhh ( pink panther voice). Wifey and I were on the burger boat, metaphorically , of course. After about an hour of lucubration , we were off to satisfy our hunger.
The Destination:
Donovans Grill and Restaurant. Got there around 9pm and place was empty. Kitchen closes at 10, we were promptly informed by the smiley waitress. We sat down in one of the comfy booths and perused the menu . The background of the place is beautiful. A library of wine racks extends toward the cieling. Chalkboards are place to write the days special in noticaable big lettering. Initmate setting for any type of occasion . I would say. The bathrooms are nicely kept and clean . Abd the bar has several beer on tap and fully stacked with all the favorites: stoli, jack daniels, goose, makers mark, etc.
Appetizers:
We just ordered a calamari for the table because we really wanted to savor the burgers, which is why we ventured out Bell Blvd. The calamari was a bit heavy on the oil, but what can we really expect from a deep fried dish. The calamari sauce more than made up for it , as we dipped and ate to our hearts desires. The lemon juice provided more citrus flavor, as well.
Entrees :
We each had a burger. Wifey had the regular which she thoroughly enjoyed amid a conversation with another straggler friend of ours we picked up on the way to Donovans ( yakooooooov).
I had the Bourbon Burgehhhhh which was awesome and hit the spot. Came with lettuce, tomotoes and sauteed onions and well cooked meat on a toasted pretzel bun.
All in all , the burger venture was a last minute Sunday night success. I was content with the place and the burger . I will definitely be going back to try some of the other dishes Donovans has to offer.
Didnt take too many pics, sorry yelpers. My hands were glued to the burger…hahaha!!