New American Restaurants in Columbia, MD

“Absolutely amazing. A true fine dining 5* experience from the service to the food. Will return again and again.“

“This is our 3rd Easter dining at seasons 52 and as always the food and service were amazing. The only complaint, and not even one really, is when I make the reservation on open table I always put in for a booth. I have an elderly father with back and hip issues and the chairs are very uncomfortable for him to sit too long. However we never get seated at a booth. I made this reservation 3 months ago so a booth seating really shouldn't have been an issue. Regardless we will be back again next Easter because like I said the food is outstanding and our server was wonderful.“

“As always, the food was great. We enjoyed the oysters on the half shell, folllowed by my pasta & my wife's lobster roll. Unfortunately, they no longer had the soft shell crabs as advertized on the web site. I don't know how often a web site is updated. The food service was backed up, so we had to forego dessert due to the long wait.“

“Ordered the army breakfast. Eggs were over done, sausage was under cooked and the entire meal was cold. Could have had a better breakfast at a homeless shelter. First and last time.“

“We had a great time. Food was amazing and plenty of Gluten Free and Vegan options for two of our party of four. There were also plenty of meat options. Service was great from the time we walked in the door until we left. The cocktails were all good as well as the desserts.“

“My husband and l attended a private party and all of the food was delicious and the service was great. Everything we tasted from appetizers to dessert was great. I had the steak frites for my entree and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Also of note were the Brussels sprouts. We also loved the new decor and color scheme of the restaurant.“

“We recently celebrated my parents' 70th anniversary at Kings Contrivance Restaurant, and I can't express enough how wonderful the experience was. The entire evening was perfect, from the warm and inviting atmosphere to the impeccable service. Richard, in particular, was outstanding—he answered all of my questions and ensured that everything was just right for our family gathering. The food was outstanding—every dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, making our celebration even more special. My parents were thrilled to have the entire family together for this milestone event, and they couldn’t stop raving about how wonderful the restaurant was. If you're looking for a place to host a special occasion, I highly recommend Kings Contrivance Restaurant. It was the perfect setting for a memorable night that our family will cherish forever.“

“The Nordstrom Cafe has the absolute best service! The entire staff is always friendly, accommodating and the food is always fresh & taste amazing! I can’t say enough good things about this place. Always a great experience! 5/5 stars! ?“

“Overall this is a good place to have Happy Hour. I am super disappointed that the charcuterie board was taken off the menu. It was the best! Bring it back please!“

“We always have a good experience here but I just want to give them some praise for the accessibility. The disabled bathroom stall is so nice. First of all, it’s the very first stall right next to the door (I’ve never seen that, usually it’s the furthest stall all the way in the back, which can be annoying when you can’t walk very far). It’s also quite large, larger than your standard “accessible” stall. I would have no problem fitting in the stall with my wheelchair and my service dog. A standard accessible stall is barely big enough to fit my wheelchair, let alone with my service dog. I had a lovely conversation with the manager about the accessibility and I love the response he gave, that he doesn’t just want things to meet basic ADA standards, he wants things to be better/more accessible (because ADA standards for accessibility are quite literally the bare minimum and often aren’t easy to navigate). I really appreciate when I hear that type of sentiment because accessibility for disabled people is usually such an afterthought or simply not considered. I’ve recently had an extremely negative experience at another establishment, and it was just very nice to have such a pleasant experience this evening. I also love that every time I’ve taken my service dog, from the time he was a young puppy to now at 18 months and nearing fully trained, they’ve been very welcoming.“

“Medium Rare in Columbia, Maryland, is a hidden gem that truly stands out in the local dining scene. This steakhouse offers a simple yet brilliant concept: a prix-fixe menu focused on high-quality steak, fries, and salad. From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting atmosphere sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The star of the show is the steak, cooked to perfection every time. Medium Rare’s signature preparation, often cooked to a perfect medium-rare as the name suggests, ensures a juicy, flavorful bite with a beautifully seared crust. The steak is accompanied by their famous secret sauce, which elevates the dish to a whole new level of savory goodness. The hand-cut fries are crispy and golden, complementing the rich flavors of the steak perfectly.

The service is outstanding, with staff who are not only knowledgeable about the menu but also genuinely attentive and friendly, making guests feel like regulars even on their first visit. The relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance, paired with an impressive wine list, makes Medium Rare a great spot for a romantic evening, a celebration, or even just a casual dinner for steak lovers.

Every time I have been I get the feeling of a well oiled machine. Every employee seems happy to be working there and that speaks volumes to ownership but more importantly management.

In addition to its fantastic food and service, Medium Rare offers excellent value. The prix-fixe menu includes a delicious fresh salad to start and unlimited portions of fries, ensuring that guests leave fully satisfied. It’s a wonderful balance of quality, flavor, and affordability, making it one of Columbia’s must-try dining spots.

5 stars from top to bottom!“

“Myself and my family of 13 came here for a surprise party on 2/22/25 and was pleasantly impressed. I called 2 days prior to see if they could accommodate my party at the last minute and the manager said “Yes”, without hesitation.
I had to call the day prior to change the time and the change the time without any issues.
Our waiter SYLVAN was Perfect. He knew the menu well and all of his suggestions were spot on! The manager greeted us as we were leaving and this was a nice touch to the gathering.
The food and ambiance was great. We plan to come back again. This restaurant NEVER disappoints.“

“It’s a chill place to be at this time a day the food is great anyone and everyone come to Ale House“

“We were here for the M3 after party on Friday night and the staff were all friendly and amazing. We had the sound rocking, the place was packed and the service was still fast. Great Venue with in minutes of Merry Weather Post Pavilion We look forward to working with you again for future events.“

“I went here with my fiancee during the weekend, and woweee. It was quite loud and lively during brunch time. The table next to us was *SO* loud. It was such a turn off because they were obviously done having food, and still spent their sweet time yelling over at each other, talking. Oh dear, it was a bit stressful during hunger pangs. I wanted to go home immediately, but that changed soon after we got our appetizer. 😅 Also, of note, several vegan items during brunch are unavailable during weekends and federal holidays. I didn't love that, considering it was my first time visiting their restaurant. So, just be cognizant of that. I really enjoyed the cauliflower bites, and my vegan "chicken" sandwich. Their home fries are marked vegan on the menu, so that was a nice surprise. With some bell peppers and a little bit of tomato sauce, it was a nice touch of zing. If I return to visit, I'll probably go during the week days. Updated from previous review on 2025-02-21“

“Smoked Salmon was delicious. We dipped the bread in the Musssels. Pork and Steak cooked perfectly.“

“Today is my son’s birthday, and he goes to BJ’s every year to celebrate. The food is great and the service is good . Every year during the holidays, their restaurant has a promotion where you get a $20 bonus card for every $100 gift card you buy—I love it!“