In 1960, a food writer tried to get the signature recipe from Steak Row institution Christ Cella, because the restaurant was widely considered to serve the best in the city. The writer approached the M.I.T.–educated son of Christ Cella himself and was told, “what can one recommend about a thick juicy steak, except to buy the best, and don’t broil it too much.” Some fifty years later, we have Donovan’s Pub in Woodside, whose owners take a similarly unfussy and low-key approach to their burger, which is nonetheless routinely named the city’s best by all kinds of people not normally given to such pronouncements. The celebrated bar is now on the market for $3.2 million, reports the Times Newsweekly. Owner Jack Donovan says the 46-year-old, family operated pub in the shadow of the 7 train is an old-timer trying to keep up in a fast-changing neighborhood. The new owner will have the option of buying the business as a turnkey operation. [Times Newsweekly]
