I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)
Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)
Thomas J.
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)
Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
(3)
Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)
Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)
David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)
Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
(1)
Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
(4)
Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)
Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)
K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)
Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)
Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)
Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)
Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)
David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)
Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)
Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)
Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)
Nick H.
I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)
MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)
cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)
Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
(1)
Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)
Thomas J.
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)
Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)
Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)
David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)
Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)
Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)
Brook H.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)
Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)
Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)
Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)
A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)
Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)
Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)
Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)
Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)
Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)
A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)
Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
(1)
Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)
Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)
Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)
Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)
tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)
Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)
Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)
Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)
Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)
Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)
Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)
Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)
Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)
Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)
Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)
Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)
Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)
Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)
Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)
Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
(1)
Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
(4)
Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)
Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)
Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)
Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)
Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)
Jessica C.
Tried this place for the first time Friday night and it was absolutely delicious! My boyfriend and I started off with the baked Brie appetizer, which was creamy and topped off with sweet almonds. He had the duck and I ordered the seared scallops- both of which were top notch! The duck had great flavor- salty and sweet. My only complain about the scallops was that the sauce was on the runny side and I felt there should have been more risotto. The tiramisu was also a delicious finish!! We went around 6 and it was nice and quiet (also Fridays are half price wine) I definitely recommend!!
(4)
Nick H.
I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)
MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)
Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)
Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)
Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
(1)
R F.
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)
A T.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)
Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)
Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
(3)
Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)
Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)
David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)
Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)
cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)
Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)
Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)
Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)
Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)
Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)
A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)
K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)
Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)
Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
(4)
Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)
Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)
Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)
Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)
A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)
David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)
Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)
Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)
Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)
tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)
Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)
Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)
Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)
Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)
Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)
Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)
Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)
Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
(5)
Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)
Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)
Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)
Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
(4)
Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)
Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
(4)
Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)
Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)
tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)
Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)
Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)
Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)
Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)
Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)
Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)
Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
(5)
Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)
Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)
Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)
Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)
Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)
Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)
Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)
Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)
Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
(1)
Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
(4)
Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)
Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)
MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)
Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)
Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)
Brook H.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)
Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)
cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)
Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)
A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)
Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)
Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)
Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)
Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)
K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)
Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)
Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)
Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)
Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)
A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)
Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)
Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)
Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)
Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)
Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)
David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)
Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
(1)
Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)
Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)
Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)
Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)
Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)
Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)
Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)
Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)
Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Nick H.
I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
(1)Jessica C.
My fiancé took me here for dinner for my 30th birthday the other night, and it was so lovely! Full disclosure: we were supposed to go out in the city. But, unfortunately, the riots in Baltimore made it so that we had to alter our plans. Fortunately, The Kings Contrivance was able to accept a last minute reservation and we had a wonderful evening! The space is absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. It's a little bit off the beaten path in Columbia in a large house. There is a bar area that is a little bit more casual, but we sat in one of the side rooms that was very elegant and very bright with lots of windows with a view of nothing but beautiful grass, trees, and peace and quiet. We probably didn't need a reservation, as there were only maybe 5 tables occupied the entire time we were there. I can't help but wonder if nowadays when there are so many trendy new places opening if people forget about the tried and true places close to home. The atmosphere was so relaxed and calm that I didn't want to leave. It was sadly a very stark contrast to what we would have dealt with in the city that evening. The food would probably get 3.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up due to how much I loved the space and the service. We started with the fried green tomato appetizer, which is seasonal, and came topped with fresh mozzarella and a roasted red pepper sauce. I am a harsh judge when it comes to fried green tomatoes and these were GOOD (and the best thing we ate all night)! They weren't soggy at all, which is what often times happens. The fry was light and crispy, and the tomatoes were still juicy and kind of crunchy. Highly recommended! For my entrée I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes. They came with sweet potato fries, which I still don't entirely understand, but sure, why not. The crab cakes were large and were loaded with lump crab meat and very little filler! They were very, very creamy, though. They fell apart easily and looked to be in almost some kind of sauce, so they felt very rich. I prefer my crab cakes to be a little bit more cohesive. My fiancé ordered scallops in some type of truffle risotto. I tried a bite and it was phenomenal! The truffle sauce was just delicious! And finally we ordered tiramisu for dessert. Our waitress, who was polite, quiet, and knew the exact right times to come over, brought out my dessert with a candle and a little candy bar on top that said 'happy birthday'. She was also patient as I asked her to take about 400 photos of us with my dessert. The tiramisu was very creamy and very good, although there wasn't an overtly strong coffee flavor (which made me like it even more, personally). This is a very relaxing place for a nice, quiet dinner. Don't forget about them!
(4)R F.
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)Thomas J.
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
(3)Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
(1)Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
(4)Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)Nick H.
I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
(1)Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
(3)Jessica C.
My fiancé took me here for dinner for my 30th birthday the other night, and it was so lovely! Full disclosure: we were supposed to go out in the city. But, unfortunately, the riots in Baltimore made it so that we had to alter our plans. Fortunately, The Kings Contrivance was able to accept a last minute reservation and we had a wonderful evening! The space is absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. It's a little bit off the beaten path in Columbia in a large house. There is a bar area that is a little bit more casual, but we sat in one of the side rooms that was very elegant and very bright with lots of windows with a view of nothing but beautiful grass, trees, and peace and quiet. We probably didn't need a reservation, as there were only maybe 5 tables occupied the entire time we were there. I can't help but wonder if nowadays when there are so many trendy new places opening if people forget about the tried and true places close to home. The atmosphere was so relaxed and calm that I didn't want to leave. It was sadly a very stark contrast to what we would have dealt with in the city that evening. The food would probably get 3.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up due to how much I loved the space and the service. We started with the fried green tomato appetizer, which is seasonal, and came topped with fresh mozzarella and a roasted red pepper sauce. I am a harsh judge when it comes to fried green tomatoes and these were GOOD (and the best thing we ate all night)! They weren't soggy at all, which is what often times happens. The fry was light and crispy, and the tomatoes were still juicy and kind of crunchy. Highly recommended! For my entrée I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes. They came with sweet potato fries, which I still don't entirely understand, but sure, why not. The crab cakes were large and were loaded with lump crab meat and very little filler! They were very, very creamy, though. They fell apart easily and looked to be in almost some kind of sauce, so they felt very rich. I prefer my crab cakes to be a little bit more cohesive. My fiancé ordered scallops in some type of truffle risotto. I tried a bite and it was phenomenal! The truffle sauce was just delicious! And finally we ordered tiramisu for dessert. Our waitress, who was polite, quiet, and knew the exact right times to come over, brought out my dessert with a candle and a little candy bar on top that said 'happy birthday'. She was also patient as I asked her to take about 400 photos of us with my dessert. The tiramisu was very creamy and very good, although there wasn't an overtly strong coffee flavor (which made me like it even more, personally). This is a very relaxing place for a nice, quiet dinner. Don't forget about them!
(4)R F.
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)Thomas J.
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
(1)Jeff S.
The human brain is a powerful thing. With all of the business travel I've done over the past 24 years or so, I'm always amazed when I can pull up to a place I hadn't visited in years and have my mind's eye recognize it immediately, as if I had been there just hours before. Such was my first impression upon driving up to The King's Contrivance just last week. I had completed a busy day of work, and made plans to meet a local attorney for dinner. We've done business together for years, and he chose King's Contrivance because he hosted our first business dinner with my local team there about 20 years before. King's Contrivance is located in a stately colonial mansion situated on a large lot. Inside are several dining rooms with ornate wood floors and trim, elegant table décor, very professional servers, and the same host who greeted us 20 years before (more on him in a bit). I chose the escargot for my appetizer and ordered a NY Strip, medium rare, with blue cheese crumbles. The escargot was tender and flavorful, served in perfectly flavored melted garlic butter. My steak was cooked just right and was almost fork tender. The service was top notch, the ambience was terrific, and the fare was beautifully presented and very nicely prepared. I'm glad my colleague chose King's Contrivance for our dinner meeting. It is a classy, high-end restaurant that hits the mark in every aspect of fine dining. I highly recommend it. Oh, yes, the host - my colleague told me a cool story about him. At the dinner he hosted for my work team and me 20 years ago, my colleague arrived at King's Contrivance about 15 minutes ahead of us. Seems his wife had reached him just before leaving the office to let him know she had lost her credit card. She had notified their bank and, hence, his card would be no good. Colleague pled his case with our host, who agreed to serve our group in exchange for a business card and promise of a forthcoming payment. Of course, payment was delivered the next day and The King's Contrivance earned a loyal customer for life. I had no idea that had happened. Bon Appetit!
(5)A T.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)Brook H.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
(1)Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
(5)Mac O.
3.5 stars. Looks like I'm gonna be odd-man-out on this one, what with my low, low rating of three stars* for Kings Contrivance. I don't know what exactly I'm missing, but I'm just not *as* impressed as other reviewers. The in-laws live in Ellicott City, so we've been to KC a couple times for special occasion dinners or when extended family comes to town. It's been a fine dining restaurant since 1960, and its current incarnation of Kings Contrivance since 1975. Clearly something's working here. I'm guessing it's marketing to the right crowd (an older, more well-off set, as far as I can tell from the décor, price points, and dress code). I really like the physical restaurant, located in a Federal style farmhouse built in 1890 on what was once expansive farmland (and it's now incongruously located smack in the middle of a very suburban housing development). You might dine on the sun porch, in the original dining room, or in an upstairs bedroom. This rather unusual layout lends some fun to an otherwise formal experience and staid ambiance. Apparently KC underwent renovations and redecoration about five years ago, but to me much of the décor still feels a bit grandmotherly, with the exception of the darkly modern bar area. I also really like the service here. It's polished and professional and definitely befitting a fine dining restaurant. Servers are knowledgeable and attentive, runners and busers quietly efficient. And the mannerly maître d' is such a fixture he gets his own shout-out on KC's website. I also really like the food, but I'm not sure it comes up to the same fine-dining level that the restaurant and staff do. Everything seems to be very hit-or-miss, and on our most recent visit this past weekend in the middle of a hurricane, it was much the same. An appetizer of Escargots Bourguignonne tasted more like bland pesto than mellow garlic butter, and a specials app of Fried Oysters was also uninspired and flavorless. But the Seared Tuna Sashimi with mango, avocado, and wasabi salad was sweet, silky, spicy perfection; and the Baked Brie special -- while tiny -- was flawlessly melted inside its flaky shell. My "Surf 'n' Surf" entrée of a soft shell crab and a crab cake hit hard with the expertly fried soft shell, but missed big time with the fishy tasting crab cake. The bistro filets with mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce accompanying several diners' "Surf 'n' Turf" were all cooked exactly to specifications and practically melted on the tongue (their crabcakes, too, were fishy). And I have to mention the bread basket: a crusty, addictive French loaf. Overall, I definitely approve of KC for our special family dinners. It's A-OK in my book. *Sometimes people ask me why I've given establishments a three star rating after a favorable review, like three stars is a bit of a slight. I guess I don't think of three stars as a poor rating. Yelp calls three stars "A-OK," and to me that sounds like a nice, solid score.
(3)Nathaniel C.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
(1)Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
(4)Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
(4)Jessica C.
My fiancé took me here for dinner for my 30th birthday the other night, and it was so lovely! Full disclosure: we were supposed to go out in the city. But, unfortunately, the riots in Baltimore made it so that we had to alter our plans. Fortunately, The Kings Contrivance was able to accept a last minute reservation and we had a wonderful evening! The space is absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. It's a little bit off the beaten path in Columbia in a large house. There is a bar area that is a little bit more casual, but we sat in one of the side rooms that was very elegant and very bright with lots of windows with a view of nothing but beautiful grass, trees, and peace and quiet. We probably didn't need a reservation, as there were only maybe 5 tables occupied the entire time we were there. I can't help but wonder if nowadays when there are so many trendy new places opening if people forget about the tried and true places close to home. The atmosphere was so relaxed and calm that I didn't want to leave. It was sadly a very stark contrast to what we would have dealt with in the city that evening. The food would probably get 3.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up due to how much I loved the space and the service. We started with the fried green tomato appetizer, which is seasonal, and came topped with fresh mozzarella and a roasted red pepper sauce. I am a harsh judge when it comes to fried green tomatoes and these were GOOD (and the best thing we ate all night)! They weren't soggy at all, which is what often times happens. The fry was light and crispy, and the tomatoes were still juicy and kind of crunchy. Highly recommended! For my entrée I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes. They came with sweet potato fries, which I still don't entirely understand, but sure, why not. The crab cakes were large and were loaded with lump crab meat and very little filler! They were very, very creamy, though. They fell apart easily and looked to be in almost some kind of sauce, so they felt very rich. I prefer my crab cakes to be a little bit more cohesive. My fiancé ordered scallops in some type of truffle risotto. I tried a bite and it was phenomenal! The truffle sauce was just delicious! And finally we ordered tiramisu for dessert. Our waitress, who was polite, quiet, and knew the exact right times to come over, brought out my dessert with a candle and a little candy bar on top that said 'happy birthday'. She was also patient as I asked her to take about 400 photos of us with my dessert. The tiramisu was very creamy and very good, although there wasn't an overtly strong coffee flavor (which made me like it even more, personally). This is a very relaxing place for a nice, quiet dinner. Don't forget about them!
(4)Thomas J.
I have eaten here before. Nice place remind me of an old country home. Every time I walk into the place I keep waiting to see granny from the Beverly Hill Billies. The food is about average and quality is very good. The service is also good but parking Sucks Some time their is none. Work on the parking
(3)Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)Jessica C.
Tried this place for the first time Friday night and it was absolutely delicious! My boyfriend and I started off with the baked Brie appetizer, which was creamy and topped off with sweet almonds. He had the duck and I ordered the seared scallops- both of which were top notch! The duck had great flavor- salty and sweet. My only complain about the scallops was that the sauce was on the runny side and I felt there should have been more risotto. The tiramisu was also a delicious finish!! We went around 6 and it was nice and quiet (also Fridays are half price wine) I definitely recommend!!
(4)Nick H.
I went for first time this summer. The encrusted salmon was excellent. The food gets 5 stars. The wine selection is well thought out as well. I saw some CA Central Coast/Paso Robles and area picks. This is/was an up and coming wine area (not to be confused with Santa Barbara). They know good wine which usually means they know good food. Still, would like to see a few local Maryland wines on there too. We do have some good wine now in Maryland! We sat in the sun room and the acoustics are horrible. They need to hang some tapestries on the shingles and some other acoustic dampening in that room would help make it more enjoyable. As the population ages and more people loose hearing, restaurants need to go back to softer and quieter dining experiences of yesteryear. The location is a little tricky to find if you are not from the area. Try to not go there via back roads. Stick to i95 to 32 or other direct route to 32. When you leave, if you are heading back to 32, a sign says to cross 32 for onramp to 32 and to i95, but just across the overpass, the sign telling you to turn RIGHT is missing! It is an outdated clover leaf exchange so it is not left to enter but right at the light.
(4)MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)Mitch S.
What a solid dissapointment Kings Contrivance has turned into over the years. What was once a solid upscale restaurant has turned into something I won't ever go back to. We were here a few weeks back for a working lunch meeting. We had a large group in a private section, however everything was arranged well in advance of us showing up. We were seated promptly upstairs in a room that looked to be in desperate need of renovations. Mismatched and peeling paint across the walls and old water stains on the ceiling around the HVAC vents made for pretty bleak views. In addition, it was a nice day outside but the temperature in the restaurant was so cold that most of us were shivering. We had one main server and a runner/helper or two in the room. The server was borderline hostile and extremely cold towards us (maybe the temperature had gotten to her as well?) She was unwilling to offer recommendations and impatiently sighed as she walked around taking orders. Once the food was ready, she couldn't remember who got what even though it was all written down. The last straw for the server was when we ordered dessert. She brought almost all of us the incorrect dessert and when we mentioned it to her, she said "Too bad, this one is better anyways" and proceeded to walk away. Completely unacceptable behavior from anyone, especially a server who stood to get a great tip out of the group. The food itself tasted decent, but not good enough to justify the price or lousy service. Three of us who ordered the seafood angel hair pasta got sick that evening, so I would recommend avoiding that dish if you are brave enough to come here. I would really avoid coming back here in the future.
(1)R F.
Delightful staff and wonderful food. The Salmon and the Crab Cake entrees were terrific. The old house restaurant setting is quite unique.
(4)A T.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)Shehla M.
The Kings Contrivance has an adorable location nestled in to it's own little road way within an adorable little home. Of course the decorations inside are more Victorian whereas the home itself will remind you of a little house out in the Baltimore prairie. Jokes aside the place is pretty cute and you'll see numerous people taking pictures outside since the backdrop is absolutely beautiful, especially during fall when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. As for the service it's extremely traditional and expected. The service is relaxed and they'll check in on you from time to time. Don't expect someone to wait on you hand and feet, it normally takes me about 30 minutes to get Tabasco. At times I'll attempt to order something else but the crab cakes almost always seem to pull me in their direction. The cakes are moist and perfectly cooked. Of course the actual crab meat is soft and delicately flaky. If my review were just for the crab cakes I would give the Kings Contrivance 5 stars but unfortunately the rest of the food is pretty mediocre and for the price you pay it's something one can make at home or simply purchase at small much more adorable family restaurant around the corner. Here's to the Crab Cakes at The Kings Contrivance Yelpers
(3)Adolfo M.
I have been coming in here for many years and have never had a bad meal. It is the perfect place to "enjoy" a quiet, relaxing meal. So, plan on being served in a timely manner while sipping some wine and not being rushed. Net any suggestions about the menu? Ask for Rick!, he seems to be always around and have never failed me on good decisions while ordering food or wine. Take advantage of 1/2 price off on bottles of wine on Fridays. Why not 5 stars? It is only because it is in the middle of a neighborhood and it may be off the path sometimes. Besides, YELP tends to be a bit discriminating when you give 5 stars to a place and bump out my review. ps: I have booked this place in the past for two weddings and 1 baptism.
(4)Janet D.
Oh dear g-d! Do yourself a favor and do not come here unless you are in the senior discount crowd. The most remarkable thing about Kings Contrivance was the olfactory assault upon entering the building. It smelled like an old folks home (I am an authority on this subject because I spent age 16-18 serving dinner at one). My husband and I shared a passable smoked fish platter and followed up with an o.k. roasted duck breast and the worst $15 pasta in the world. At one point, Mr. D asked me if the sauce was just Prego. The food carried an underlying dishrag note. Another thing that detracted from our evening was that they never inquired if we were celebrating anything... we were... our third wedding anniversary. In short: Go elsewhere.
(2)David B.
In two words NO SERVICE! It was busy at all and we we're at least greeted promptly when we first entered the store. That was it no employees approached us to ask us if we needed assistance in the humidor. I would get better services If ordered my cigars in line... Screw this place. I apologize to the restaurant name the same as the liquor store I went to. The names of both are very similar!
(1)Leila R.
Let me tell you. If I could give this restaurant no stars at all I would. The occasion was my friends 21st birthday dinner. Walking in we immediately noticed the place was filled with old, snobby white people. They stared at our young, diverse party. But I digress. Once seated our waiter (Ryan) did not introduce himself nor did he inquire our occasion. He quickly and rudely started asking for drinks. It wasn't until the third time he was back in the room he said "btw my name is Ryan" wow ok He asked us about 3 time if we were waiting for more people and if we were ready to order. It wasn't until the 4th time we gave into his winning nagging and ordered. As he went around the table taking orders he answered questions as if the answerers were obvious. The food was disgusting, watery, and lacked any seasoning. 3 of us out of the party returned the food. It was that bad. When returning the food Ryan again did not apologize in fact he said "what's the problem now" ya tasteless ass food is the problem! Ya rude ass service is the problem! I have more too say but I am too livid. Avoid it. Don't go. Beware. Can't say I didn't warn you. Totally not worth the money. I get the colonial theme and the coat check in but I don't mind paying for expensive food of it's going to be good and come with excellent service. This was not the case. If you're old and pretentious you might like it.
(1)Jeff S.
The human brain is a powerful thing. With all of the business travel I've done over the past 24 years or so, I'm always amazed when I can pull up to a place I hadn't visited in years and have my mind's eye recognize it immediately, as if I had been there just hours before. Such was my first impression upon driving up to The King's Contrivance just last week. I had completed a busy day of work, and made plans to meet a local attorney for dinner. We've done business together for years, and he chose King's Contrivance because he hosted our first business dinner with my local team there about 20 years before. King's Contrivance is located in a stately colonial mansion situated on a large lot. Inside are several dining rooms with ornate wood floors and trim, elegant table décor, very professional servers, and the same host who greeted us 20 years before (more on him in a bit). I chose the escargot for my appetizer and ordered a NY Strip, medium rare, with blue cheese crumbles. The escargot was tender and flavorful, served in perfectly flavored melted garlic butter. My steak was cooked just right and was almost fork tender. The service was top notch, the ambience was terrific, and the fare was beautifully presented and very nicely prepared. I'm glad my colleague chose King's Contrivance for our dinner meeting. It is a classy, high-end restaurant that hits the mark in every aspect of fine dining. I highly recommend it. Oh, yes, the host - my colleague told me a cool story about him. At the dinner he hosted for my work team and me 20 years ago, my colleague arrived at King's Contrivance about 15 minutes ahead of us. Seems his wife had reached him just before leaving the office to let him know she had lost her credit card. She had notified their bank and, hence, his card would be no good. Colleague pled his case with our host, who agreed to serve our group in exchange for a business card and promise of a forthcoming payment. Of course, payment was delivered the next day and The King's Contrivance earned a loyal customer for life. I had no idea that had happened. Bon Appetit!
(5)Brook H.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
(4)Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
(1)Mac O.
3.5 stars. Looks like I'm gonna be odd-man-out on this one, what with my low, low rating of three stars* for Kings Contrivance. I don't know what exactly I'm missing, but I'm just not *as* impressed as other reviewers. The in-laws live in Ellicott City, so we've been to KC a couple times for special occasion dinners or when extended family comes to town. It's been a fine dining restaurant since 1960, and its current incarnation of Kings Contrivance since 1975. Clearly something's working here. I'm guessing it's marketing to the right crowd (an older, more well-off set, as far as I can tell from the décor, price points, and dress code). I really like the physical restaurant, located in a Federal style farmhouse built in 1890 on what was once expansive farmland (and it's now incongruously located smack in the middle of a very suburban housing development). You might dine on the sun porch, in the original dining room, or in an upstairs bedroom. This rather unusual layout lends some fun to an otherwise formal experience and staid ambiance. Apparently KC underwent renovations and redecoration about five years ago, but to me much of the décor still feels a bit grandmotherly, with the exception of the darkly modern bar area. I also really like the service here. It's polished and professional and definitely befitting a fine dining restaurant. Servers are knowledgeable and attentive, runners and busers quietly efficient. And the mannerly maître d' is such a fixture he gets his own shout-out on KC's website. I also really like the food, but I'm not sure it comes up to the same fine-dining level that the restaurant and staff do. Everything seems to be very hit-or-miss, and on our most recent visit this past weekend in the middle of a hurricane, it was much the same. An appetizer of Escargots Bourguignonne tasted more like bland pesto than mellow garlic butter, and a specials app of Fried Oysters was also uninspired and flavorless. But the Seared Tuna Sashimi with mango, avocado, and wasabi salad was sweet, silky, spicy perfection; and the Baked Brie special -- while tiny -- was flawlessly melted inside its flaky shell. My "Surf 'n' Surf" entrée of a soft shell crab and a crab cake hit hard with the expertly fried soft shell, but missed big time with the fishy tasting crab cake. The bistro filets with mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce accompanying several diners' "Surf 'n' Turf" were all cooked exactly to specifications and practically melted on the tongue (their crabcakes, too, were fishy). And I have to mention the bread basket: a crusty, addictive French loaf. Overall, I definitely approve of KC for our special family dinners. It's A-OK in my book. *Sometimes people ask me why I've given establishments a three star rating after a favorable review, like three stars is a bit of a slight. I guess I don't think of three stars as a poor rating. Yelp calls three stars "A-OK," and to me that sounds like a nice, solid score.
(3)Nathaniel C.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
(5)Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
(4)Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
(4)Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Country estate-type atmosphere, reminds you of a French country estate. The service is good, not too fancy, French food. The food is very, very good. The seafood crepes are the most amazing thing we've eaten in Maryland since we moved here 10 years ago from New Orleans. Crawfish, shrimp and crab in an etouffee-like sauce stuffed in tender crepes, creamy and spicy. The sauces are what makes this restaurant - the cocktail sauce was even excellent. The banana crepes, mashed bananas in crepes with a rum sauce and a side of cinnamon ice cream - reminded us of bananas foster. Delicious!
(5)Johhny H.
Awful Easter brunch this year that was high quality 4 star brunch last year Very inconsistent place .
(1)tom c.
My colleague and I took two clients here for a business meal. There was a convention of doctors there as well, so the place was slightly crowed, but not uncomfortably so. The food was top notch; I would describe it as standard American fare done very well, but I enjoyed the service even more. Our group was, collectively, rather slow about ordering, undecided much of the time, etc. Our waitress was fantastic, the bartender who helped us before we sat had a good grasp of his liquor stock and could suggest a variety of different cocktails for choosey people and the Maître d' brought out a fantastic (and obscure) digestif for our one customer who had a spent a bunch of time in Europe and had pension for those drinks. Overall a great experience. Good food and atmosphere, great service. If you go, do yourself a favor and request Becca as your server. She was a consummate professional who served us attentively all night. She was very friendly and had the extra dash of sexiness that our customers really enjoyed.
(4)Maria M.
Went here for our one year wedding anniversary. It was very nice and up-scaley. I guess it can be romantic, but we were seated right next to a pretty loud group which was not bad... just not romantic. In any case, it was still a great experience. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of different rooms. The greeter offered to take our coats and hung it in a closet. Then we got seated shortly after. The service wasn't bad at all. My water kept being filled up that it didn't even look like I drank water all night. I had the seafood bisque for my appetizer and it was pretty good. Not too salty and it had a couple of shrimps and scallops in it which is always a plus. Then I had the Grouper. D-lish! It was topped with a tomato based sauce with lumps of crab meat. The sides were simple steamed veggies. Overall, the presentation of the dish was really pretty and it tasted really good. For dessert I had a cream puff with vanilla ice cream and fruits around the dish. I liked it. Not a huge fan of cream puffs, but the ice cream mixed well with the puff pastry and the fruits and chocolate syrup tasted well together. Overall it was great. I felt satisfied at the end of the meal without feeling like I had to loosen up the pants to breathe =). Atmosphere was great, the service was good too. So yay!
(4)Alan W.
Lovely brunch. The food was good to great. It was a brunch I normally wouldn't put together at home and it was well executed. I would not say there is a lot of super healthy options but that wasn't what i was looking for anyway. I wanted the Benedict with perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, and warm hollandaise. Thats exactly what i got. The service was good and they let us stay way past our welcome with no complaints. I would recommend this place to a friend who wanted good food in a relaxed atmosphere any day. I will update this review after going for dinner one night.
(4)Chris B.
Great food, great drinks, but service was slightly slow. Waitress may have been only one on duty at the time because there were 7 other tables around us that she was rounding on. Not sue if that is how it always is or was an off night due to the holidays. Would definitely go back.
(4)Trevor R.
Went to brunch on Sunday. Service was great, food was great, portions were huge. Perfect special occasion Sunday lunch/brunch. The brunch is about $25 for an appetizer, breakfast entree, and mimosa. I ordered an app of fried oysters and was surprised to get about 8-10 large specimens that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My entree was the seafood eggs benedict, with eggs cooked beautifully, a lemoney hollandaise sauce, and a large amount of crab and lobster on top. Delicious. Was really surprised how much food we received. The atmosphere in a historic farmhouse really makes for some elegant dining. I'm now a big fan of their brunch, and I don't usually like brunch because I think it's some plan to cheat me out of a meal!
(5)Kate M.
We really don't get what all the buzz is about. Have only been once, and not planning to go back. The atmosphere wasn't that nice - the upstairs dining room we ate in had few tables spread out awkwardly in the room, and a bright street light was glowing in the window. We expected excellent service, and it was on par or lower than Red Lobster - slow to fill drinks, inordinately long time to take our dinner order, had to wait 15+ minutes even though we had reservations, etc. The food for us was hit or miss, but nothing stood out that would have made us want to come back. If you want a "fine dining experience" in Howard County, go elsewhere. Especially for the cost, there are so many more satisfying options! We really wanted to like this place, as it is a favorite of some family friends. :(
(2)Lynn W.
Delicious food. A classic upscale restaurant in a pleasant setting--a very nice change from the strip mall locations of most restaurants in Columbia. Good, friendly service too.
(4)Daniel B.
Favorite restaurant ever. The early bird meal is the way to go, including app, entree, and dessert. Staff is very attentive and ambiance is quiet elegance. All the seafood entrees and appetizers are great. Bread rolls are always warm and fresh. Can't go wrong.
(5)Danny L.
Decent american fare. Nothing too daring but what they have on the menu is executed well. Service is friendly and courteous. I'll never turn down an invitation to eat here. Not as inventive as some restaurants in DC or Baltimore.
(4)Mac O.
3.5 stars. Looks like I'm gonna be odd-man-out on this one, what with my low, low rating of three stars* for Kings Contrivance. I don't know what exactly I'm missing, but I'm just not *as* impressed as other reviewers. The in-laws live in Ellicott City, so we've been to KC a couple times for special occasion dinners or when extended family comes to town. It's been a fine dining restaurant since 1960, and its current incarnation of Kings Contrivance since 1975. Clearly something's working here. I'm guessing it's marketing to the right crowd (an older, more well-off set, as far as I can tell from the décor, price points, and dress code). I really like the physical restaurant, located in a Federal style farmhouse built in 1890 on what was once expansive farmland (and it's now incongruously located smack in the middle of a very suburban housing development). You might dine on the sun porch, in the original dining room, or in an upstairs bedroom. This rather unusual layout lends some fun to an otherwise formal experience and staid ambiance. Apparently KC underwent renovations and redecoration about five years ago, but to me much of the décor still feels a bit grandmotherly, with the exception of the darkly modern bar area. I also really like the service here. It's polished and professional and definitely befitting a fine dining restaurant. Servers are knowledgeable and attentive, runners and busers quietly efficient. And the mannerly maître d' is such a fixture he gets his own shout-out on KC's website. I also really like the food, but I'm not sure it comes up to the same fine-dining level that the restaurant and staff do. Everything seems to be very hit-or-miss, and on our most recent visit this past weekend in the middle of a hurricane, it was much the same. An appetizer of Escargots Bourguignonne tasted more like bland pesto than mellow garlic butter, and a specials app of Fried Oysters was also uninspired and flavorless. But the Seared Tuna Sashimi with mango, avocado, and wasabi salad was sweet, silky, spicy perfection; and the Baked Brie special -- while tiny -- was flawlessly melted inside its flaky shell. My "Surf 'n' Surf" entrée of a soft shell crab and a crab cake hit hard with the expertly fried soft shell, but missed big time with the fishy tasting crab cake. The bistro filets with mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce accompanying several diners' "Surf 'n' Turf" were all cooked exactly to specifications and practically melted on the tongue (their crabcakes, too, were fishy). And I have to mention the bread basket: a crusty, addictive French loaf. Overall, I definitely approve of KC for our special family dinners. It's A-OK in my book. *Sometimes people ask me why I've given establishments a three star rating after a favorable review, like three stars is a bit of a slight. I guess I don't think of three stars as a poor rating. Yelp calls three stars "A-OK," and to me that sounds like a nice, solid score.
(3)Nathaniel C.
One of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Great service, and well executed and inventive food.
(5)Brian H.
We love Kings Contrivance. We have been going there for 30 years. We have celebrated many important family occasions at this wonderful restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is excellent. There is none better.
(5)Alan B.
Others have mentioned the seafood bisque - rightfully so. It is absolutely delicious. I order it every time I am there. This place is nicest restaurant I have had the pleasure of dining at in the Columbia area. It is pretty formal, I usually wear a suit when going. The service is 1st class, the menu is 1st class, and the ambiance is 1st class. Great place to do a romantic night out, and is guaranteed to impress your guest(s). It is pricey. Expect to drop one large ($100) on dinner for two. Can easily go over that with appetizer, dessert, and of course drinks. But if that does not scare you off, give this place a try. I typically get the lamb. Excellent. My wife tends to get the duck and she loves it too. If you like seafood, give that bisque a try, rich, plenty of meat, and just plain delicious. One note, they have banquet rooms upstairs and I am not sure they have an elevator. If steps are a problem for you, be aware and maybe check with them in advance.
(5)Kristi E.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place. We have lived down the street from it for two years and are glad we finally made reservations. We went on a Friday night- which by the way is half off wine night (including bottles and by the glass). I got the Turf and Turf- (Soft shell crab and a crab cake). It was amazing! I have never eaten a soft shell crab before- and the waiter coached me right threw it...along with the regular sitting behind me. Service was great, very attentive and personable. If letting them know it is your first time there, they will gladly give you a tour of the old mansion. I would recommend it to anyone for a nice night out with a bit of class!
(5)Todd M.
The Kings Contrivance is where I proposed to my wife and we have gone for our anniversary dinners several times since. It is a classy environment in a historical older home. There are several rooms and levels of seating throughout the home, though most nights they only need the main level of seating from what I have seen. If you go early for dinner (pre 5:30) you can be seated for a pre-fixe menu where you can get a wonderful 3 course meal for under $30 a person. I usually go for this menu as the meals a la carte will quickly stretch my budget a bit too far! My favorite on their menu is the cajun seafood crepe (which I miss being an appitizer on the pre-fixe menu). I'm not even sure I can describe the flavor other than to say its wonderful and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. The vanilla bean creme brule for dessert is always done perfectly and I order it every time. The bernaise sauce is so good it literally makes my wife cry (though they took the chicken oscar off the menu the last time we went much to her chagrine). If you are looking for somewhere to go for a special occasion and don't mind spending a little more for a high class and wonderful meal, look no further than The Kings Contrivance.
(5)Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
(1)Cindi N.
celebrated my father-in-law's 91st birthday here for dinner! sat in enclosed porch -- nice seating area by the windows, so lots of light & beautiful view of the woods -- would have been perfect except it was grey & heavily pouring. i had the shellfish bisque, eggplant fritters & jumbo lumb crabcakes. - excellent shellfish bisque with lobster, shrimp & crab (although others thought it should have been thicker & creamier) - great lump crabcake -- & they do mean lump, barely any fillers about 99.5% lump crab meat (others thought too much seasoning which lost sweet crab taste, i'm not from maryland -- so i'm not the crab cake expert & i was amongst maryland crabcake connoisseurs) -- but i still thought it was delicious!!! - eggplant fritters -- didn't care for it, should have asked for no olive tapenade (i hate olives). others in the group had: steamed mussels with artichoke, tomatoe sauce & olives -- she loved it stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat -- both loved it. seared scallops (sauce seems similar to shellfish bisque, but thinner sauce) -- both enjoyed it. large mansion -- but from inside not sure where's the rest of the mansion. most areas were dark, except in enclosed porch area. walked upstairs, narrow hallway with several private rooms -- but all doors were closed, didn't check it out as i didn't want to embarass myself walking into a private party. good service & good food, perfect ambiance & place to celebrate my father-in-law's 91st birthday!!!!!
(4)Andrew K.
A nice romantic place for a dinner. Server was friendly and helpful in suggesting what was good. The bread was a pretty good but I was hoping for warm soft bread. The seafood bisque was only ok for me, I think it was a little bland. I also got the mussels which were pretty good. For the entree, I got the duck which was excellent, I only wish I had more than the 5 pieces on my plate but I feel like at most upscale restaurants, you pay for the presentation, quality and ambiance than the amount of food. For the dessert, I got the creme brulee which was also good. Overall, I think for an upscale dining place, it was pretty good and I'm glad I tried it.
(4)Eddie W.
Have been hearing about this place for as long as I've lived in the area. Food: nothing amazing. It's above average, but so is the price. There's a mix of good and bad. Wait staff: fine, relatively attentive. Decor: dreary, dark, old, creepy. I can say this safely, because I kept noting similarities between the place and my parent's house. Overall: if you live in the area, go at least once and see for yourself. I'm guessing, tho, that there won't be much to bring you back if you're under 40.
(3)MaryAnn C.
Went here for a company holiday lunch and while it was a bit of a drive to get here- it was worth the drive. The food was incredible and the drinks were good. I loved the set up of the restaurant and the price was reasonable.
(5)Roberto N.
Great for meetings- both personal and business. Why? It's a really grand old house, and it's got rooms both up and downstairs, of different sizes, that may be perfect for your group. The food's great. My only complaint was celebrating Thanksgiving without having Turkey on the menu, even though we had a party of 12, and asked for it 4 days in advance. (we celebrated a day or two before Thanksgiving for scheduling reasons- they may well have had Turkey on T-day it self). Want to impress a date? THIS is the place to go. Great service, absolutely special environment, creative menu. Thus the high rating. Go. Enjoy.
(4)Jeff S.
The human brain is a powerful thing. With all of the business travel I've done over the past 24 years or so, I'm always amazed when I can pull up to a place I hadn't visited in years and have my mind's eye recognize it immediately, as if I had been there just hours before. Such was my first impression upon driving up to The King's Contrivance just last week. I had completed a busy day of work, and made plans to meet a local attorney for dinner. We've done business together for years, and he chose King's Contrivance because he hosted our first business dinner with my local team there about 20 years before. King's Contrivance is located in a stately colonial mansion situated on a large lot. Inside are several dining rooms with ornate wood floors and trim, elegant table décor, very professional servers, and the same host who greeted us 20 years before (more on him in a bit). I chose the escargot for my appetizer and ordered a NY Strip, medium rare, with blue cheese crumbles. The escargot was tender and flavorful, served in perfectly flavored melted garlic butter. My steak was cooked just right and was almost fork tender. The service was top notch, the ambience was terrific, and the fare was beautifully presented and very nicely prepared. I'm glad my colleague chose King's Contrivance for our dinner meeting. It is a classy, high-end restaurant that hits the mark in every aspect of fine dining. I highly recommend it. Oh, yes, the host - my colleague told me a cool story about him. At the dinner he hosted for my work team and me 20 years ago, my colleague arrived at King's Contrivance about 15 minutes ahead of us. Seems his wife had reached him just before leaving the office to let him know she had lost her credit card. She had notified their bank and, hence, his card would be no good. Colleague pled his case with our host, who agreed to serve our group in exchange for a business card and promise of a forthcoming payment. Of course, payment was delivered the next day and The King's Contrivance earned a loyal customer for life. I had no idea that had happened. Bon Appetit!
(5)A T.
Amazing dinner last night! Beautiful place. Crab cakes, seafood bisque, filet mignon to die for!!! Can't wait to go back. It wasn't crowded on a Friday nite and the wine was half price!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Beth W.
I had a work program here last Friday and while the food was very good, our server was rude and tried to get over on us (we were a party of 12) by inflating the bill with over pouring the wine and then allowing guests to deviate from ordering beer and wine when he had, already, been instructed otherwise. When questioned about him allowing four guests to order liquor, he admitted that he was trying to get over on us. I went back today to express my displeasure with the bill and the rude server (named Ryan) had the nerve to tell me that I was being condescending. I told him that even when the customer is wrong, you do not talk to them rudely and should remain professional. He interrupted me saying "Yes, you were wrong." And then walked away. One thing is for sure, if you choose to patronize this restaurant, be sure that you don't get Ryan as your server.
(3)Dianne L.
26 June King Contrivance The food was disappointing. The salmon dish was masked with a sauce that was overly sweet. The calamari was excessively breaded comparable to a fast food restaurant and the lobster bisque was watered down and lacked flavorful seasoning .
(2)Brook H.
I decided to take my wife here for Valentine's Day. I had looked around at various places in the Columbia area, and this restaurant kept coming up. I have to say that our night out was a success and my wife was quite impressed with my choice. The service here was top notch, especially for a busy Valentine's Day evening. We started with complimentary valet parking, which is always nice (although a bit embarrassing if your car is dirty). Once inside, we were immediately greeted and our reservation prepared; we were directed to the coat check and led to our table without even a momentary wait. Our server was always checking on us and we rarely had a dirty plate left on the table. The ambiance is quaint and interesting. A historic mansion, the building doubles as a restaurant and an event hall. When you are seated it may not be in a traditional dining area; for example, we were in what looked to be a living room with tables and chairs spread out. This doesn't detract from the experience, but makes it more interesting as you realize you are seated next to a door (possibly a hall or cupboard) or a closed fireplace. The food was excellent and we kept trying each other's dishes. My favorite of the night was the venison strip loin, which was very tender and tasted wonderful in a blackberry-port wine sauce. My wife's filet mignon Oscar was very tasty, the crab not overpowering and nicely mixed with a bernaise. There was not an appetizer, entree, or dessert that either of us regretted ordering. The dishes may seem small, but the rich sauces and well-cooked dishes filled us up to the point we had trouble finishing dessert. The only major downside here is price, although we knew full well what we were getting into. Including drinks, and after a decent tip, you can expect to spend $90-$100/person here. If you have the money, I highly recommend it... otherwise, this might be a once a year visit (but still worth it). So, if you're looking for a classy establishment with excellent food for that special night out, you cannot go wrong with The Kings Contrivance.
(4)Lani C.
This place is overrated. The service was very good, the hostess and coat check people were very nice, but the food was just ok. It's basically dressed-up American food. I had a duck dish that was perfectly cooked but bland flavor-wise, and the creme brulee was also nothing spectacular. The interior was dim, but fit with the overall colonial feel and the tables were spread enough apart that you didn't feel like an unwilling participant in the conversations at other tables. I do not typically care if food is expensive, as long as it's very good. I will pay a lot for good food, but nothing was delicious enough to warrant the gigantic bill that came at the end. I understand, part of what we are paying for is ambiance and great service, and you definitely get that, but the food has to be good too.
(2)cindy g.
This place is interesting. The restaurant has different rooms upstairs and downstairs. The food was ok but the plates were on the small side. I got the duck breast which was fantastic. My husband got the tenderloin tips which was not that great. It was smothered in a salty wine sauce which overpowered the tips. For dessert, my husband got the chocolate truffle cake which was extremely rich and I got the tiramisu which wasn't like a traditional tiramisu. Overall, everything was ok if we didn't have a coupon, I don't know if I would go again.
(3)Danise F.
I took my friend here for a birthday brunch back in July. She's an old-fashioned beauty so I thought this 1890's mansion would be the perfect place...and I was right! The location is beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens. We both enjoyed the experience so much! We were lucky that it was a gorgeous sunny day and the gardens were blooming. It's really exquisite, the brunch menu is really good and upscale. The waiters are also really nice and proper. The food was really also really great! I don't have any complaints. I don't give this place 5 stars because the menu is a bit limited and sometimes it gets kind of quite, a little too quite and you feel like everyone can listen on your conversation. This might only be the case for brunch hours though. Very enjoyable overall! I would come back again. Also, I think they are vegetarian friendly and overall use very fresh ingredients. I can see how people can make regular brunch dates here.
(4)A L.
I went for restaurant week! The staff is very kind, and the dessert menus are sooo great. All of them. Especially strawberry cake one and creme bulee. They're amazing. Pork apetitzer was good too, the entree was a little disappointing (the salmon) so that's why it's only 4 out of 5. Maybe for people with some age. Very formal setting.
(4)Frank L.
Wonderful! Seriously, that should be enough, but I'll digress. For the purposes of this review I'll refer to The King's Contrivance as KC. We went here this week for my birthday. Everything about this restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were a party of 4 including the SO, munchkin #1, and munchkin #2. KC is in an old (manor?) house in what appears to be a residential area of Columbia. The atmosphere is wonderful inside. Certainly not casual, but just quiet, welcoming, a place to go for a nice dinner. I wouldn't exactly say it was formal (I did see one guy in jeans), but I'd recommend NOT showing up in shorts and a tank top. Our food was fantastic!! I had fried oysters and the surf and surf (nice big soft-shell crab AND a big crab-cake). The SO had scallops that we about 1/2 the size of her fist (each). While there was no real kids menu we asked the kitchen to put together some pasta with olive oil, garlic, and tomato sauce for the munchkins. We don't often drink when we're out, but the wine and beer with dinner was also very good. The coffee was also good enough that I recall thinking about how good it was as I took the first sip. The selection of desserts wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but was good nonetheless. We ended up splitting a chocolate-rasperry cake that was so dense that it was closer to fudge than cake. Make no mistake, KC isn't cheap, but it is very good!
(5)Eileen L.
King's Contrivance used to be one of my favorite restaurants. Sadly, the menu that was wonderful 20 years ago, is still the same menu today. Don't get me wrong, the service is wonderful, but the food has gotten a bit stale. Having said that, I do recommend the prix fixe sometimes. However, I'd like to see the menu change up a bit.
(3)Amy D.
Kings Contrivance is ok. We go once or twice a year because we live around the corner and enjoy half-priced wine Fridays. If we were 75+ we might go more often. The food is a little over priced, and uninventive. Which is probably why there are so many octogenarians there. It'd be great if they made the decor and bathrooms a little more elegant or up to date. Some background music wouldn't hurt either, just to damper the old lady at the next table announcing what meds she's on. I've also arrived with friends at 8 pm on a Saturday and been turned away. This was extremely disappointing since we had been telling our guests what great crab cakes they have. Hopefully, they'll learn to cater to the living. Spice up the menu on occasion, and seat tables later for those of is not getting the early bird special.
(2)Bill P.
What a beautiful restaurant! You can feel the history emitting from the walls of this grand mansion. We held a party for 20 guest in the private room upstairs. Everything was perfect. The food, the service and overall dining atmosphere was exquisite. We only wish the fireplace in the upper room was working as it would have added to the glorious experience. If you're planning a party or a romantic dinner this is the place. Enjoy!
(4)K Sera S.
I'm going with two stars rather than one only based on previous better experiences. However, it's going to be a while before I go back. The calamari appetizer looked and tasted for all the world like they'd run out to Costco for a bag of frozen TGIF clam strips. The lamb, although well-cooked (for me, meaning "rare") was so heavily seasoned with salt and mustard I could barely taste it. The asparagus--again, well-cooked--was practically brined it was so salty. The mashed potatoes--you guessed it--salty. My companion ate two of his scallops and proclaimed them "off." I gave him some of my lamb, which really wasn't that much of a kindness, but he was hungry. The service was amateurish. For the kind of prices they charge (my lamb was $42), I expect you to know which side to serve on and clear from, and I certainly don't expect you to be hitting me in the neck with the stack of plates you've awkwardly piled up in your arms. This used to be a very reliable albeit "blue-hair" restaurant. Good, basic American continental fare (making it "safe" for out of town guests, like granny), but now, I'd rather take granny to Red Lobster. And I bet the service would be better. The calamari would probably be the same.
(2)Jinsil Vera K.
The is the one of the rudest restaurants that I ever been! There was an extra 15 $ charge without even informing the party for using their plates for a birthday cake. We paid them over 200 $ for their food and they wanted to charge for their small plates!! In fact they said, it was 2.50 $ per an empty plate!! When we asked them to see if they could waive the fee since we were not informed before our order, the waiter responded, " You should have asked us first to bring the cake in," which was very once again, VERY RUDE, considering there was only a special kind of cake the birthday girl can eat. I would advise you to find another restaurant if you want to enjoy a nice group gathering and don't want to spoil your night. The manager was also very arrogant and honestly this was not even that of a great restaurant. They should try to look at a mirror of themselves once in a while and see how mediocre they are.
(1)Julie H.
Most of the reviews I read on this site about this restaurant pertained to Brunch, and were mostly positive, so I figured the comments would be relevant for dinner as well. Not. My husband and I spent the night in Columbia on our way back to NYC from a driving trip to Florida and on our last night out I wanted to have dinner in a non-chain, nice, local restaurant. We were greeted warmly at the door and seated at a large table that was really for 4 people, not 2. The bread was astonishingly good. I actually can't think of a superlative that would accurately describe how incredibly delicious it was. There was lots to choose from on the menu and I had read good things about the sirloin tips dish which I ordered as a main dish, and the seafood bisque to start. Husband ordered the smoked fish platter as an appetizer and the seafood angel hair pasta as a main. The bisque was delicious but husband declared his fish platter flavorless and bland. The experience went downhill with the main dishes. I would have been better off just putting my shoe on my plate, that's how tough the beef was. The sauce appeared to have been leftover from another era-not the 21st century, and was semi-congealed. The mashed potatoes, however, were delicious. Husband's pasta was again, bland, and the sauce was too thin to cling properly to the pasta. The service was horrendous. We felt completely invisible and had to flag the waitress down for every single thing we wanted, even though the restaurant was not busy. When she took my plate away I thought she would at least ask me why there were only 2 bites misssing from the beef but before I could say anything she scurried away with our plates. Other than the bisque and the bread It was an unpleasant dining experience but even accustomed, as I am, to NYC prices, I think that $110 for a bowl of soup, some bread and a glass of wine is a bit much. I can't vouch for the Brunch, but I would absolutely recommend that you look elsewhere,anywhere for that matter, when looking for a restaurant in Columbia.
(1)Joseph W.
This place was nice and elegant. food was awesome. Crab cakes the bomb. A little expensive but well worth it
(5)Meller S.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. I had the chance to try this hidden gem in Columbia, MD at my best friend's rehearsal dinner. I was in LOVE with the Pepita-Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Ragoût Of Corn, Edamame, Potatoes and Spicy Herb Butter Sauce). This dish was so amazing. I am not even a big Salmon fan, but my mind wanders now and then to this all time favorite dish I had at The Kings Contrivance. My husband had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and surprisingly could not finish his entire plate since the meal was so plentiful. The Crab Cakes were a nice size w/ absolutely no filler! This place is on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a special occasion. Don't let me forget, also a great ambiance : )
(5)A P.
Spoiled crab meat, tasteless food, arrogant and insulting matre d. Do not eat here! Our region has so many restaurants serving fresh food, with inspiring flavors and wonderful waitstaff. This is not one.
(1)Jennifer S.
My husband and I went to KC last night, it has been a restaurant we've been meaning to get to for a long time. We didn't have a reservation but were able to walk right in considering it was a Tuesday night. The host was extremely gracious and took our coats right away. We got seated and our waitress was also very attentive and nice. The place is pretty upscale but I wouldn't call it snooty. It's definitely a nice "occasion" (read: anniversary, birthday, graduation) type place. We started with the mussels which were amazing. The sauce was buttery and delicious without being too buttery. I got the scallops and my husband got the veal both of which we loved. Then the creme brulee for dessert, yummy!
(5)Len M.
Last evening, my wife and I spent the evening at Kings Contrivance for a Valentine's dinner. We have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years and expected a romantic dinner. What we got was more like a Southwest Airlines experience. When we arrived for our reservations, we were herded like cattle in the main lobby with at least 30 other people (poor planning on their part). We both ordered wine, and they did not use the proper stemware for a Pinot Noir, instead pouring it into a chardonnay glass (how they could be rated in Wine Spectator and not have available stemware, I don't know). Although the appetizers were delightful, the two main courses we ordered were poorly prepared. My veal steak was fatty and tasteless and both dishes lacked any creativity. Also, we could not order off their main menu. They had a special Valentine's menu for that evening at a fixed price of $65 per person. That would have been fine, if I was told that when I made the reservations a week ahead, but that was not the case. In totality, this was a one star experience from a restaurant that years ago provided a 5 star experience. Very disappointing!
(1)Karen P.
My first 5 star rating. It is a very nice restaurant. The house is quaint and the food well prepared. I got the salmon and loved the sauce. It had just the right amount of subtle spiciness to it. My husband got the beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Steak was tender and tasteful. It is on the pricey side but everything was extremely well prepared . Staff was very nice too. C
(5)Tori B.
This is the second time we've been here for Christmas Eve dinner, and I just really feel it's time for me to rate this great restaurant! I can't remember what I had the first time we went a couple years ago, but after dinner last week, I have to say this place is so good. The only bad part was the service from our waitress, but everything else was fabulous. My Husband and I shared the baked brie, which was sooo... good, everyone at the table asked to try it and I barely got any, that's how good it was. I had the risotto with shrimp, which was very tasty. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the risotto and green beans tasted great. My Husband had the duck, which neither of us usually get, but I must say we both loved it. Our waitress had to be prompted to refill drinks, take the order, and made it very difficult to get a check split. I know it was a busy night, being Christmas Eve, but I did expect better service considering the prices we were paying. No matter that, we would still go back in a heartbeat! Great food!
(4)Tina R.
great place, anything is good
(4)David M.
A little hard to say you're a fan of a place that has such a goofy name, but what the heck, I'll own up to it: This place is excellent in spite of what you have to call it. (Built on a 1730's land grant from Lord Baltimore 10 miles south of his eponymous city). The food was 5 stars and only the choppy service lowered the rating down a notch (server kindly stored the white wine in a cooler away from the table, but I had to continually ask him to pour more when our glasses had been drained). However, getting back to the positives . . . Best crab cakes I ever tasted anywhere (and having been born/raised in DC/MD I have eaten bushels of crab cakes). Also some of the best duck I've ever had, and I'm a huge duck fan. Oh, and then when I wasn't stealing bites from my dinner companions' dishes, there was my own plate. I had some absolutely wonderful seared scallops with crab risotto that was more than 5 stars. Yumilicious. We happened to be right next door at the BWI airport so it was pretty much on the way back to DC. But if you're ever in the south Baltimore area for sure give it a try for a fancy schmancy expensive but worth it dinner.
(4)Chris D.
Went for our anniversary. Poor greeting with adequate service had we been at Applebee's. Mild case of food poisoning for my wife. I was more fortunate that her eating an uninspired entry. There are too many good options for upscale dining to ever try again.
(1)Standards H.
I love coming here. The building itself is a beautiful old plantation type establishment. The service always makes me feel like I'm royalty. And the best part...the seafood bisque!!! Did I mention the SEAFOOD BISQUE?????? It is to die for!! Well, really everything I have had hear is very good but the notable dishes are the SEAFOOD BISQUE, the sirloin tips, the wedge salad, and the scallops. They make a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives as well (ya, I know this is an incredibly easy drink to make but it gets messed up SO often...WHY??) The best night to go is when they have 1/2 price bottles, I can't remember what night that is because I drank to many "1/2 price bottles." This is a regular stop for me and I have yet to taste a SEAFOOD BISQUE that rivals theirs.
(5)Jake K.
I've only eaten here once and I must say - the first memory that came to mind was the house that Borat was in when he participated in a supper club. I was invited up here for a business meeting so "uncle Booz" was picking up the tab which is always a good thing. The seafood bisque was quite tasty although it needed a little salt. Scallop, crab meat, and what tasted like a bit of lobster was all in the nice creamy mixture. I also ordered the tenderloin tips and wasn't disappointed. The tips were great but the side garnish (veggies) were just plain steamed carrots and broccoli. Nothing impressive in that regard. I finished with the raspberry sorbet - not bad but nothing remarkable. My recommendation? If someone invites you up to the place, take the invite since you won't be disappointed. However, I would also say that you should not go out of your way to get out here unless you're in the area and want to grab some American fare in a nice old house.
(4)Kristen W.
Widely regaled as the "best restaurant ever" by my mom, dad, sister, and sister's boyfriend, Kings Contrivance was the restaurant of choice to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. After a perfectly fine dinner there, I'm willing to say that a) I don't think my family gets out enough and b) while Kings Contrivance is definitely not the best restaurant ever, it's probably safe to say it is probably the "best restaurant in Columbia", which is still no small feat. What I mean to say is, if you're someone who likes delicious food with a side of stuffy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The food truly was fantastic and the menu was creative, which I really liked. An unexpected plus was that they have a long list of specialty cocktails, including some warm and cozy ones that were very appropriate for winter. The service was wonderful and after dinner our waitress brought out my mom's dessert with birthday candles without us ever having to even ask her, which I thought was sweet. While we're talking about desserts, I have a special memory in my heart for both the raspberry trifle my mom ordered and the peppermint and chocolate chip mousse thing that my husband and I ordered - both were amazing. Highly recommend. On the downside, the restaurant sits in a drafty old house and it's wintertime, yet they decided to put holiday decorations in the fireplaces instead of fires? Don't like that. Also didn't at all care for the acoustics in the dining areas- because it's an old house, they put multiple tables in I guess what would have been bedrooms. You can hear everyone else in the room (including people not at your table) and they can hear you. It makes for extremely intimate dining with people you've never met and don't want to know. It was cute when the other group joined in on singing happy birthday to my mom, but not so cute when the strange woman at the head of the table started giving my mom advice on how to handle the "nifty sixties", as she liked to call them. I don't know, maybe I like my restaurants a little more modern (as in, post 1900's) and upscale (as in, restaurant comes with central heating), but something about the old house vibe here just didn't do it for me. However, I would still recommend Kings Contrivance to anyone in the HoCo area looking to find a spot for a nice family dinner or date.
(4)Timothy G.
The bisque is worth trying! I have eaten here twice now and both times I have been impressed.
(5)Sue F.
What a neat place. I want to go back to make this 4 stars 5 stars! A definite "must go" when in the Baltimore suburbs. The only thing that makes this a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the meat was ordered medium rare and came medium well, but it was still good and we did not send it back. We ordered the fixed price menu - what a bargain! And we asked the kitchen to split it...so we each ordered one meal and then split everything. A chef that does all of this without drama is A-OK in my book and this one is definitely A-OK. The ambiance was delightful and service excellent - we sat in the enclosed porch. As far as meal, we had: shellfish bisque - 5 star eggplant pine nut fritter - 5 star filet - 3 star - over cooked salmon - 5 star profiterole - 5 star creme brulee - 5 star
(4)Jeff C.
Before I went to this place, I was expecting another place with fancy decor but food not being that level. No so here. The decor is upscale and intimate, not in a pretentious way. Service was good. People appear to be comfortable here. The menu is quite standard, with no real exotic stuff like in DC. The food is excellent with solid portions. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was excellent. The Crab soup was nice, with large chunks of crab meat. The prices are fair and better than places in metro DC. I would return soon.
(4)Lovejoy D.
Went for brunch. Had made a reservation for 7 people and ended up being 5, and the host acted a little rude and put out. However, we were seated promptly when we came in. Service was terrible. It was a late brunch (1pm) and a lot of people had cleared out, but we still waited almost 50 minutes after we ordered for our food to come. And our waitress was nowhere in sight. Finally our food came, and one of the side dishes was cold and dry. The rest were still warm, which made me think that the waitress held on to our order for 40 minutes before giving it to the kitchen. No apologies were given to us. Food was OK, nothing spectacular. Will not be going back.
(1)Clint U.
A great restaurant in the middle of a middle class neighborhood. A little hard to find for non residents. Excellent French restaurant. This is a 4.5 star restaurant...not the very best I have had....but never a disappointment. the sauces and soups have a great depth and balance. Meats are cooked correctly. I had an occasional fish slightly overdone...but I like mine on the raw side.... Weeknights they have a $29 fixed price menu for appetizer, entree and dessert. Enough to fill the average person....Forget it if you are a Raven lineman....you'll need to order a few more items..... The 5 stars are for ther fixed price menu items....great value.
(5)Sandra H.
If you are a vegetarian, don't eat here! There was nothing appealing to me on the menu so I asked the server to suggest a dish. He came back with a plate of steamed vegetables that was flavorless and soggy. I would think that at such a high end restaurant, vegetarians would have at least one good menu option. On a side note note, I ordered a salad once and that was okay, nothing special but not nearly as bad as the limp vegetables.
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