I recently had my first dinner at the King Contrivance and overall, it was a good experience. I started with the seafood soup, followed by the duck breast, and finished with the tiramisu. While the dishes were tasty, I felt the price point didn't quite match the quality. The restaurant is set in a beautiful old house, which gives it a nice, cozy feel, but I did notice that most of the diners were in the middle-aged to senior range. Also, be aware that while the lot is big, there are very few paved parking spots, so you might end up parking on the grass during busy times.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Beatrice Dane
Excellent food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
William Buhles
Cannot believe this wonderful restaurant is still there. Used to go there when we lived in Columbia in the 1970's. Last ate there in 1987. Beautiful setting, luscious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Stoddard
Had a really lovely time celebrating an anniversary ❤️ perfect setting..had a great large round table in the sun room..made it easy to talk and laugh..the staff was very attentive and came and checked on us, anything we needed. It was great!!, would recommend for a quiet evening for couples, or a larger group celebrating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Paul Luskey
Absolutely the best in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jerry Holmes
This is not fine dining! The food is fine, the service is inadequate, the noise level is abominable!
Alec Kisiel
Been for meals and events, always great!
Dr. Richard Zhao
On the recommendation of our close friends Drs. X and W, we had the pleasure of dining with them at The Kings Contrivance Restaurant, an elegant establishment nestled in a beautifully preserved, century-old house. The property itself sits on historic farmland originally granted in 1730 by Lord Baltimore to Reverend James Macgill, adding a sense of timeless charm to the experience.
As we arrived at the front entrance, we were greeted by a serene and picturesque scene: a herd of deer grazing nearby, lending a relaxing, pastoral feel to the setting. Upon entering, we were warmly welcomed by a kind and elderly gentleman who guided us to our table with the grace of old-world hospitality.
The menu offers a sophisticated blend of European and Asian influences, presenting a unique fusion of flavors. For appetizers, we shared crispy fried oysters, daily soft-shelled crab specials, and a one-of-a-kind escargots bourguignonne. The house-made salad—a mix of fresh greens, tomatoes, and basil, topped with cheddar and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar—was a refreshing complement to the savory starters.
Each of us chose a different entrée. I opted for the Veal Scaloppine Française, perfectly paired with a glass of Italian Pinot Grigio. Dr. W selected the scallop special, accompanied by a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. The two ladies chose the roasted duck breast and pan-seared beef tips, respectively. We ended the meal with a beautifully prepared vanilla bean crème brûlée, a sweet finish to a well-rounded meal.
It came as no surprise to learn that The Kings Contrivance has been voted one of the finest dining establishments in Howard County for over thirty years. The veal scaloppine I enjoyed was especially memorable: tender, flavorful, and expertly prepared. What did surprise me, however, was the reasonable pricing. For such a classic, refined setting and outstanding cuisine, the final bill was just around $70 per person. Of course, what made the evening truly special was the company of good friends. A memorable dinner, rich in both taste and friendship, is always the perfect way to end the day.
Christie Carrico
It was exceptional in all regards. I just wish they served lunch.
Somewhat overrated. Food average. Service average. Driveway leaving the property in desperate need of repair (potholes).
Wendy M.
Kings Contrivance is a tried and true solid restaurant! For special occasions and some holidays, we go to Kings Contrivance. Why? The food is exceptional and consistently good, the service is always wonderful and the atmosphere always feels special occasion.
On this evening, we ordered the seared tuna salad with fresh avocado in a savory sauce was divine. The lobster stuffed w/crabcake and the truffle risotto w/ sea scallops were both delightful and quickly devoured. There was just a little room for the birthday tiramisu, the perfect punctuation to a wonderful evening celebrating a life milestones for a treasured loved one✨??
The menu is seasonal and always has a nice variety of special selections. Like many in the area, it’s a family favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Bisque, Desserts, Angel Hair Pasta with Crab and Shrimp, Key Lime Pie, Crab Cake
Jacqueline Timmons
Celebrated with my husband our 34th wedding anniversary, the moment we walked in we were met with graciousness. The food was excellent and the anniversary dessert from the chef was a welcome surprise.
Food was excellent. My aunt got a salad with seafood and she raved about it. My stuffed shrimp was so tender and flavorful. Service was quite slow to start (took 20 minutes to get our menus). But after that was a bit better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Stuart Satterwhite
An elegant place for a pleasant night. Service is to notch. Seafood bisque is excellent. Key lime pie is also excellent. Beef tips a little overcooked but still great tastes
Smelled bad, way overpriced, should be shut down.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I recently had my first dinner at the King Contrivance and overall, it was a good experience. I started with the seafood soup, followed by the duck breast, and finished with the tiramisu. While the dishes were tasty, I felt the price point didn't quite match the quality. The restaurant is set in a beautiful old house, which gives it a nice, cozy feel, but I did notice that most of the diners were in the middle-aged to senior range. Also, be aware that while the lot is big, there are very few paved parking spots, so you might end up parking on the grass during busy times.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Excellent food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Cannot believe this wonderful restaurant is still there. Used to go there when we lived in Columbia in the 1970's. Last ate there in 1987. Beautiful setting, luscious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a really lovely time celebrating an anniversary ❤️ perfect setting..had a great large round table in the sun room..made it easy to talk and laugh..the staff was very attentive and came and checked on us, anything we needed. It was great!!, would recommend for a quiet evening for couples, or a larger group celebrating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Absolutely the best in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is not fine dining! The food is fine, the service is inadequate, the noise level is abominable!
Been for meals and events, always great!
On the recommendation of our close friends Drs. X and W, we had the pleasure of dining with them at The Kings Contrivance Restaurant, an elegant establishment nestled in a beautifully preserved, century-old house. The property itself sits on historic farmland originally granted in 1730 by Lord Baltimore to Reverend James Macgill, adding a sense of timeless charm to the experience.
As we arrived at the front entrance, we were greeted by a serene and picturesque scene: a herd of deer grazing nearby, lending a relaxing, pastoral feel to the setting. Upon entering, we were warmly welcomed by a kind and elderly gentleman who guided us to our table with the grace of old-world hospitality.
The menu offers a sophisticated blend of European and Asian influences, presenting a unique fusion of flavors. For appetizers, we shared crispy fried oysters, daily soft-shelled crab specials, and a one-of-a-kind escargots bourguignonne. The house-made salad—a mix of fresh greens, tomatoes, and basil, topped with cheddar and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar—was a refreshing complement to the savory starters.
Each of us chose a different entrée. I opted for the Veal Scaloppine Française, perfectly paired with a glass of Italian Pinot Grigio. Dr. W selected the scallop special, accompanied by a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. The two ladies chose the roasted duck breast and pan-seared beef tips, respectively. We ended the meal with a beautifully prepared vanilla bean crème brûlée, a sweet finish to a well-rounded meal.
It came as no surprise to learn that The Kings Contrivance has been voted one of the finest dining establishments in Howard County for over thirty years. The veal scaloppine I enjoyed was especially memorable: tender, flavorful, and expertly prepared. What did surprise me, however, was the reasonable pricing. For such a classic, refined setting and outstanding cuisine, the final bill was just around $70 per person. Of course, what made the evening truly special was the company of good friends. A memorable dinner, rich in both taste and friendship, is always the perfect way to end the day.
It was exceptional in all regards. I just wish they served lunch.
Restaurantji Recommends
Somewhat overrated. Food average. Service average. Driveway leaving the property in desperate need of repair (potholes).
Kings Contrivance is a tried and true solid restaurant! For special occasions and some holidays, we go to Kings Contrivance. Why? The food is exceptional and consistently good, the service is always wonderful and the atmosphere always feels special occasion.
On this evening, we ordered the seared tuna salad with fresh avocado in a savory sauce was divine. The lobster stuffed w/crabcake and the truffle risotto w/ sea scallops were both delightful and quickly devoured. There was just a little room for the birthday tiramisu, the perfect punctuation to a wonderful evening celebrating a life milestones for a treasured loved one✨??
The menu is seasonal and always has a nice variety of special selections. Like many in the area, it’s a family favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Bisque, Desserts, Angel Hair Pasta with Crab and Shrimp, Key Lime Pie, Crab Cake
Celebrated with my husband our 34th wedding anniversary, the moment we walked in we were met with graciousness. The food was excellent and the anniversary dessert from the chef was a welcome surprise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dessert Selection Available, Seafood Bisque, Scallops, Veal Scaloppine Oscar
Food was excellent. My aunt got a salad with seafood and she raved about it. My stuffed shrimp was so tender and flavorful. Service was quite slow to start (took 20 minutes to get our menus). But after that was a bit better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
An elegant place for a pleasant night. Service is to notch. Seafood bisque is excellent. Key lime pie is also excellent. Beef tips a little overcooked but still great tastes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Bisque
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