Creator Five: Andrew D’Agenais & Robert Godfrey

Robert Godfrey and Andrew D’Agenais are two names closely connected to fine dining, first with the opening of York’s The Handsome Cab Restaurant and Wine Bar in early 2017, and more recently, Hanover’s McAllister’s on York.

The restaurant and bar are part of the larger project by Jordan Ilyes to restore the McAllister Hotel, an important part of the skyline of downtown Hanover. Ilyes had shown similar success with York’s Keystone Color Works restoration.

*McAllister’s on York, located in Hanover, PA*

The connection between Hanover, York, and the structure includes the hotel’s architect, William Lee Stoddart, who also designed the Yorktowne Hotel (itself undergoing restoration), and other noted works such as the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Hanover’s 1925 Italian Renaissance structure, The Richard McAllister, was also known as the McAllister Inn or the Abbott House.

*“Hotel Richard McAllister, Hanover, PA” postcard by Market & Bielfeld, Inc., Frederick, MD. No date listed.*

Architect Stoddart primarily worked on east coast projects and designed Harrisburg’s original Penn-Harris Hotel, Reading’s revered Abraham Lincoln Hotel, and Williamsport’s Lycoming Hotel (Genetti Hotel and Suites), where Stoddart’s daughter Allison reportedly passed away, leading to inevitable stories of paranormal sightings.

McAllister’s on York resumes a tradition of fine dining & entertainment in the building. Ads in the mid-1930s promoted the entertainment available at the hotel, calling its roof garden the “coolest spot in town,” with dance and floor shows every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. 1934 saw the announcement of a new taproom and cocktail lounge, with dancing every evening, and a year later, a 9:00 show featuring the “sensational dance team” of Paul and Viola was advertised, with music by Jack Burke and His Club Royal Orchestra, at one point also referred to as his Hotel Richard McAllister Orchestra.

The entertainment continued to be popular in 1936, with dancing promoted six nights a week. In addition, Halloween brought a judged masked dance with prizes for “best and worst” costumes. The particular week of the October ad featured acrobatic dancer Ann Carol and Beverly Stull, the “girl with the million dollar smile and her accordion.” Large dinners were also available, with extensive lists of foods included. By 1940, the roof area was known as the “Sky Terrace,” open nightly “five stories up — under the stars.”

*D’Agenais admires the open view from the second floor Bar E11even in Hanover.*

We’re fortunate that D’Agenais and Godfrey have brought back fine dining to this historic spot. So let’s take a glimpse at the two as they each share their Creator Five.

1) While Andrew D’Agenais is associated with the food scene, interior design is another of his other creative mediums. His favorite literary works include the classics To Kill a Mockingbird and Glass Menagerie.

Favorite creative influences include Andy Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Frank Gehry, John Elgin Woolf, and Paul Revere Williams.

2) Words of wisdom? “You are who you surround yourself with.”

3) Stupidity and ignorance are some things not to surround yourself with — his pet peeves.

4) D’Agenais suggests driving to Lancaster for dining as a favorite day trip.

5) Food isn’t always something eaten at McAllister’s; Andrew likes chocolate-covered doughnuts for a snack and corned beef on rye as his sandwich of choice. At the ice cream shop? The classic chocolate.

1) Robert Godfrey is influenced creatively by “our local community artists and entrepreneurs in York Couty that are always reinventing and adding beauty to our everyday lives.”

He’ll take to painting to express himself and add his own beauty. To enjoy the work of others on the printed page, Godfrey will select mysteries as the most likely genre.

2) Advice to others? “Stay true to you.”

3) His pet peeve is straightforward but one seemingly inherent in humans: gossip.

4) Keep going east past D’Agenais’ suggested Lancaster, and head to Longwood Gardens for Robert’s recommended day trip.

5) If you grab a meal with him, you just might catch Godfrey eating a pressed Italian sub or raspberry ice cream. But if it’s snack time, it’s cookies on the menu.