Donovan's Steak & Chop House

On my visit in May of 2009 I went here as part of a business dinner. While at dinner a busser spilled a gravy boat of ketchup on my lap. Apologies were profuse and appreciated. The manager came over and told me to send him a dry cleaning bill. I asked if he'd replace the damaged clothes if the stains didn't come out. He agreed. Subsequently, my pants and sweater were ruined. Upon sending copies of the receipts for the clothes, the manager send me a partial refund for the items, since they were used. I replied that I felt this was insufficient, since to replace them I would still have to pay full price for new clothes. I have never heard back. Perhaps because I am from out of town he didn't feel it necessary to make a serious endeavor to take care of what I believe to be an obligation, but nonetheless, I was very displeased with the handing of the problem. I won't be dining at Donovan's again.

Donovan's steakhouse in La Jolla was an experience that I most definitely will not forget. Although the food, ambiance, as well as coursing was excellent the service had completely ruined the evening. Our server, when not busy looking at my dates revealing dress, had no consideration for me and the way that my meal had been. Oh did I forget that it was also a female waitress. I also had to deal with a rude staff which did not respond with a justified your welcome after thanking him for refilling my beverage. Although the service had been condescending and inconsiderate the meal was excellent.

The high prices don't equate to the quality of food or service delivered. There is a lack of quality ambiance. I think I can get a better steak, and better service, with a similar ambiance at Sizzler Steakhouse. Very disappointed.

The staff is friendly and very professional. The waiters are freindly, attentive without being bothersome, knowledgable, and handle any request to make your experience wonderful. The wine list is excellent and the steaks melt in your mouth and the meals are what you expect of a high end restaurant. If you want a wonderful evening in a great atmosphere this is the place.

I have only gone here for drinks and it is fabulous!! Their appetizers are hearty and the martinis are potent. Despite the super dark lighting I thoroughly enjoyed my happy hour and look forward to going there for dinner. A+

Very disappointing!!

I was not impressed by Donovan??????s at all.
The food and service were mediocre at best.
The booth was old and worn.
I do not recommend this place not worth the money.

My wife and I dined at Donovan's on 7/8/08 and were underwhelmed, to say the least. Aside from a salad that was served with yellow lettuce, tasteless "homemade" bread, the least impressive crab cakes (cake, actually, they only give you one - for $18.00), I have ever had, and a waiter named James, who looked down his nose at us, I guess Donovan's was okay. The steak was decent, but not any where near being in the same class as Ruth's Chris, and certainly not worth $38.00 for an 8 oz. filet mignon.

We definitely will not go back, I would not go there either if I were you.

We asked for a quiet setting with a table allowing us to both sit at the same corner so I could speak directly into my husband's right ear (hearing issue). They sat us right next to the only other occupied table in the room. The table was for two and did not accommodate our hearing issue so we asked for a different one and were told they were all reserved. So, we rearranged the given table so that we could sit at a right angle of one another. We were very annoyed by one of the "waiter's" persistence in reorganizing the table setting that we arranged for our personal needs. He didn't have a clue as we repeated changed it back to our liking. The dinner salad had substandard iceberg lettuce and the dressing was unimpressive. The steaks (ribeye and porterhouse) lacked flavor and were fatty/grisly and dry, respectively. We ordered a bottle of wine and anticipated taking 1/2 of it home for later enjoyment but, without asking, the same waiter poured it into my glass before I stopped him. This experience was not good. Another time, we had a private room with a group of people (HOA Board Members w a Mgmt Company) and we were treated as royalty. I had a tasty soup and indulged in a variety of appetizers, all good. We also had good pricey wines as recommended and our evening was delightful.

Apparently this restaurant prefers if you don't bring your little ones. We were out celebrating my dad's birthday and brought our 10 mo. old (still in infant car seat) and 2 1/2 yr old. Of course I made reservations just in case. I was told that they didn't have any high chairs, so we brought our travel one. I didn't mind the fact that they put us in corner table since it would keep our daughter from disturbing other patrons. But I didn't appreciate them setting up a fold up table (plastic kind they sell at costco) and expecting that that would support the travel high chair we brought.

Meal: I ordered the Filet Mignon and Shrimp medium + (the server suggested the plus, so I could share w/ my daughter). It was cooked more well and the shrimp was NOT COOKED! My father ordered the Chop Prime Rib medium rare, and that came out more rare. The only meat that was cooked perfectly was my husband's Cajun Prim Rib, ordered Medium Rare, served Medium Rare. My mom's Filet & Portabella Mushrooms was ordered medium well, again, more on the well side. And there seemed to be some pepper seasoning on my Filet that was just so overpowering. I had Garlic Mashed Potatoes, so I knew the pepper didn't come from that. Our server just took our order and after our meals were served, never came back. It was only when we asked that one of the prime ribs be cooked a little longer and when I told them that my shrimp was not cooked, that the server came back. I guess they were worried b/c the manager came over and asked if everything was ok. Overall, would we dine here again? NO. Do I think it was a waste of $200+? yes. I prefer the filet at Ruth Chris and Prime Rib at Stinking Rose (Los Angeles). I only gave it 3 stars b/c my husbands Cajun Prime Rib was really good. And that's the only reason.

Toss up between Donovan and Ruth Chris. Both decent restaurants. Still think that outback steakhouse has better flavor. However, if you want to have a traditional steak experience Donvovan is a good place in SD