CF Donovan's in Hyde Park . . . finally?

[Roons]

The following appeared in the 7/9/09 issue of the Hyde Park Bulletin . . .

"Residents have waited over a year for C.F. Donovan’s restaurant to open on Hyde Park Avenue and soon, the wait will be over.

The restaurant’s owner, Arthur Donovan, said he plans to open the restaurant in stages, beginning as early as this week. The first stage of openings will serve caterers and functions, he said.

Licensing Board Chairman Daniel Pokaski said the restaurant had been holding onto a liquor license the entire time they were closed. According to Pokaski, Donovan told the board that he needed time to make renovations to the building, which took longer than he had expected.

Donovan could not provide an exact date for when the entire restaurant would be functioning nor did he confirm what renovations had been made to the building. Lisa Timberlake, spokesperson for Boston Inspectional Services Department, (ISD), said the most recent document they have from C.F. Donovan’s is a certificate of occupancy and no paperwork filed asking for a health inspection.

Residents still anticipate the opening will fill a much-needed void in the community."

[lele6173]

Roons is absolutely correct. Richard Jerrier, former owner of many successful business's in Dorchester, has purchased the property and plans to open Annabelle's (named after his mother) in early November. Annabelle's will be a full service restaurant with a function room, outdoor patio, full bar and dining room with an area for take-out. www.annabellesrestaurant.com

[Prav]

That sounds like it'll be a nice little spot. Curious to see the menu. Too bad I don't live around there anymore - I used to live at the PMID / 1391 right across from there.

[catsmeow]

PMID? Just figured it out...where the old Morell Builders use to be before it was converted.

[Prav]

Yep - that's the one! Converted into lofts.

[JudyHP]

Update....this place is officially dead. Last night a big truck was out front, and men were moving lots of stainless steel kitchen and bar equipment into the truck.

[Prav]

I heard a rumor that aliens came and abducted everything. CF Donovans, R.I.P.

We never even got to know ye.

[Delhiwala]

Here is the 11/12/2009 story from the Dorchester Reporter:

C.F. Donovan's apparently shuts down

C.F. Donovan's, the popular Dorchester neighborhood restaurant and bar on Savin Hill Ave. across from the T station, was shuttered this morning and appears closed.

At lunchtime, all the doors are locked, and all the windows were covered with brown paper. A neighbor reports visiting the buiilding and seeing two small trucks backed up to a rear door off the kitchen. Three workers were seen moving what appeared to be kitchen equipment onto the trucks. Phone calls to the business went unanswered, and owner Arthur Donovan could not be reached for comment.

The Hyde Park Bulletin recently reported that Donovan was in default on $300,000 in loans from the Boston Redevelopment Authority for a branch location in Hyde Park that was planned to open for business in 2007, but was never completed.

[Skaket4]

It is an extremely difficult time for all involved with C F Donovan's. For all the hounds with their self proclaimed gastronome expertize-especially Dea, Judy and smartguy Prav. - wherein your soulless frame exists any human compassion? Shame on you.

[Prav]

You're right, I think I'll send them flowers and a card.

[gardgen]

There is activity this morning at the restaurant. Anyone know who bought it? It was for sale.....

[hiddenboston]

The owner of McKenna's across the street bought it. Last time I checked, there was still no name for the new place.

[Pegmeister]

Actually, the owner of McKenna's bought the Savin Hill location, another party, as I undderstand it, bought Hyde Park.

[hiddenboston]

Sorry, Pegmeister--I mistakenly thought this was a thread about Savin Hill (next time I'll read the thread title!). As far as what's going on in Hyde Park, I haven't heard much of late. Glad to hear there's some activity going on there!

[Roons]

The Bulletin newspaper reported that a local businessman, Richard Jerrier, purchased the building, the rights to the restaurant, and the restaurant's liquor license. If I remember the article correctly - he was planning to petition the Boston Licensing Board in August, was hoping to open in October and was planning to call it Annabelle's (sp?).

[hiddenboston]

I'm not holding my breath! (Been doing that for 3 years now.)

[Dea]

Just saw on Universal Hub that they are in default on two loans totalling $300,000 to the BRA's Boston Local Development Corp. Don't think that bodes well for this place ever opening.

[hiddenboston]

Whoa. I hope this doesn't affect their Dorchester business. That's not good at all.

[eLizard]

Dot Donovans is closed as of yesterday

[Pegmeister]

I'm really sad to hear that Savin Hill location closed. I know there was a lot of financial difficulty. Sounds like Arthur paid dearly for his divorce.

[KBA]

You probably shouldn't comment on something you know nothing of......

[Pegmeister]

I would never comment on something I don't know about. That said, Donovans was a great neighborhood spot. Hyde Park loses out and so does Savin Hill. I have every hope that Arthur can regroup and restablish. He ran a good restaurant, had pleasant staff and decent food.

[eLizard]

moi? i freely admit i know nothing. except as of yesterday, the restaurant was shuttered.

[catsmeow]

Thanks for the update. I think it's actually been 2-3yrs. I'.ve decided to take the attitude that I'll believe it when I see it. There have been several dates given yn the past that haven't happened. Last Fall, I was eating over at their Savan Hill restaurant and asked our waiter if he had any updates regarding Hyde Park. He thought it had already opened!

[gardgen]

Still not open a month later....

[Pegmeister]

It's only been 3 years!! I've given up waiting and wouldn't be suprised if he sold it.

[gardgen]

Rumor is that he is doing catering out of the facility but its a ploy to keep the liquor license. I pass it every day and there is no activity at the site.