My first visit to this restaurant was for New Year’s Eve for a four course dinner. Overall the service was wonderful, the staff helped move our party table to a warmer location for my grandmother. Additionally, the dinner selections were all wonderful, and our table shared tastes around the table so we were all able to partake. We will definitely be back in the future.
Carrie R
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December 21, 2024
I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch with my work team a week before Christmas, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. We opted for the prix fixe lunch menu, which offered a variety of excellent selections—each dish sounded so tempting, you really couldn’t go wrong with any choice. Everything we tried was delicious.
The restaurant itself is tucked away in a quiet residential area, so it feels like a hidden gem you might not stumble upon otherwise. Inside, the ambiance was magical, with elegant Christmas decorations, a cozy fireplace, and about four beautifully adorned Christmas trees scattered throughout the space. It felt so warm and festive.
The food was exceptional, and one standout was the escargot appetizer—a rare treat that you don’t often see on restaurant menus. It was absolutely divine!
The service was impeccable, and the overall atmosphere exuded a welcoming, sophisticated charm. This place strikes the perfect balance between classy and cozy, making it a spot I’d love to visit again. Highly recommend!
Dr. Richard Zhao
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June 03, 2025
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.
Lisa Milne
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December 18, 2025
My second time there. The food was delicious, but the service was terrible. The waiter seemed uninterested in serving us. Our table of 6 was short one menu - which took forever to get, he walked away before getting everyone's drink order. The crabcakes are served with remoulade sauce per the menu - but it was really tartar sauce that the owner/manager tried to pass off as the "french" version of remoulade sauce. Huh? The biggest issue was that one dinner was "taken to the wrong table" according to our waiter, so they were making my husband another one. At least they didn't try to give him the one that went to the wrong table, but it came at least 20 minutes after everyone else's. Finally. Apologies from the staff - but the owner did not comp even a dessert, much less the meal that came late. The restaurant was only 25% full (it was a Tuesday night) so there was no reason for the poor service. I think they need a strong lesson is customer service. It's too bad because we all enjoyed our food.
Kit Gee
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July 01, 2024
We really enjoyed our meals here. The crab cakes and stuffed grilled shrimp were delicious. Good selection of appetizers and specials. Love the fried oysters and gazpacho. Desserts were perfectly prepared and presented. Atmosphere is traditional slightly formal. Great service.
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10150 Shaker Dr, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
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My first visit to this restaurant was for New Year’s Eve for a four course dinner. Overall the service was wonderful, the staff helped move our party table to a warmer location for my grandmother. Additionally, the dinner selections were all wonderful, and our table shared tastes around the table so we were all able to partake. We will definitely be back in the future.
I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch with my work team a week before Christmas, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. We opted for the prix fixe lunch menu, which offered a variety of excellent selections—each dish sounded so tempting, you really couldn’t go wrong with any choice. Everything we tried was delicious. The restaurant itself is tucked away in a quiet residential area, so it feels like a hidden gem you might not stumble upon otherwise. Inside, the ambiance was magical, with elegant Christmas decorations, a cozy fireplace, and about four beautifully adorned Christmas trees scattered throughout the space. It felt so warm and festive. The food was exceptional, and one standout was the escargot appetizer—a rare treat that you don’t often see on restaurant menus. It was absolutely divine! The service was impeccable, and the overall atmosphere exuded a welcoming, sophisticated charm. This place strikes the perfect balance between classy and cozy, making it a spot I’d love to visit again. Highly recommend!
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.
My second time there. The food was delicious, but the service was terrible. The waiter seemed uninterested in serving us. Our table of 6 was short one menu - which took forever to get, he walked away before getting everyone's drink order. The crabcakes are served with remoulade sauce per the menu - but it was really tartar sauce that the owner/manager tried to pass off as the "french" version of remoulade sauce. Huh? The biggest issue was that one dinner was "taken to the wrong table" according to our waiter, so they were making my husband another one. At least they didn't try to give him the one that went to the wrong table, but it came at least 20 minutes after everyone else's. Finally. Apologies from the staff - but the owner did not comp even a dessert, much less the meal that came late. The restaurant was only 25% full (it was a Tuesday night) so there was no reason for the poor service. I think they need a strong lesson is customer service. It's too bad because we all enjoyed our food.
We really enjoyed our meals here. The crab cakes and stuffed grilled shrimp were delicious. Good selection of appetizers and specials. Love the fried oysters and gazpacho. Desserts were perfectly prepared and presented. Atmosphere is traditional slightly formal. Great service.