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.
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!
Wendy M.
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October 18, 2024
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.
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.
Jimmy Wang
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February 19, 2025
This is a restaurant that my wife have been to many times over the years to celebrate special occasions. The food has always been good, but for the price point, the service and atmosphere could really use an upgrade.
The restaurant is very dated, from the furniture to the plates they use. Maybe I’m not the target demographic but that’s just my observation.
The service is fine. Nothing glaring but it could be more personalized and attentive, especially when you’re spending over $100 per person for a meal. In our most recent visit, it felt like our server didn’t want to be there and did just what was needed and nothing more.
It’s a shame the restaurant has become like this. This place used to our favorite place to eat but it looks like we’ll have to look elsewhere.
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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.
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!
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.
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.
This is a restaurant that my wife have been to many times over the years to celebrate special occasions. The food has always been good, but for the price point, the service and atmosphere could really use an upgrade. The restaurant is very dated, from the furniture to the plates they use. Maybe I’m not the target demographic but that’s just my observation. The service is fine. Nothing glaring but it could be more personalized and attentive, especially when you’re spending over $100 per person for a meal. In our most recent visit, it felt like our server didn’t want to be there and did just what was needed and nothing more. It’s a shame the restaurant has become like this. This place used to our favorite place to eat but it looks like we’ll have to look elsewhere.