The Kings Contrivance: A Culinary Gem in Columbia, MD

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.

PURE EXCELLENCE! If only I could eat here everyday. The escargot are a garlic buttery perfection and they give you this fresh bread to sop up every bit of garlic butter sauce. The Seafood Bisque is thick and delicious and included shrimp, crab, scallops and even had a bit of rice which was a pleasant surprise. This is one of the best bisques I have ever had. I was too full but because every dish I saw come from the kitchen looked like pure heaven I decided to be greedy and get the Scallop and Shrimp Angel hair pasta. It was pure deliciousness. The seafood and pasta were perfectly prepared and every bite made me want another. I came back during Howard County Restaurant week and ordered the identical meal and it was exactly as delicious as the first visit. Pure heaven in the form of delicious food!

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.

UPDATED – May 2025 King’s Contrivance is consistently delicious. I’ve truly never had a dish I didn’t enjoy. The chef knows exactly what they’re doing—flavorful, beautifully prepared, and always satisfying. We went for Mother’s Day, and it was the perfect place to celebrate. It’s great for any occasion including family dinners, date nights, milestone moments, or just a night out when you want an amazing meal. The scallop risotto with jumbo lump crab was creamy and divine. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the flavors accented with the jumbo lump crabmeat were rich and balanced. The Caesar salad was crisp and fresh with crunchy croutons, shaved parmesan, and a classic dressing that hit all the right notes. We also had one of our favorites, the seafood bisque. It was outstanding as always—silky, full of flavor, and comforting in the best way. And let’s talk about the desserts. They’re always top notch. Each one is a treat, finished with the most incredible housemade whipped cream. Light, luscious, and just the right way to end your meal. Every bite is a little celebration. The service is always warm and welcoming. The staff makes you feel like family. They are so kind, professional, and attentive. Even though we usually go for special occasions, every visit feels like coming home ———————————————————————— 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.

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!

We celebrated our anniversary last Friday and enjoyed a delightful evening. The seafood bisque had a significant amount of seafood unlike some bisque that are more bisque than seafood. The duck breast was equally as delicious, tender and well prepared. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the atmosphere warm and inviting. We will definitely be back.

Terrific place for an anniversary (or other special occasion) dinner! The restaurant is inside a charming old manor house. We sat in the end room with tons of windows to view outside while dining. Service was perfect. All staff that we interacted with were very friendly and did a great job anticipating our needs. The food was excellent. We started with a bread basket that was crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft in the middle, just as a good loaf should be. Baked brie in a puff pastry was a chef's special and I highly recommend it if offered again. The crabcake entree was superb with plenty of meat and not too much filler. 10/10 would get again! We had tiramisu for dessert, which usually isn't my favorite because I'm not a coffee fan, but theirs was delicious and not overpowering with the coffee notes. Overall this was a terrific fine dining experience and I would recommend it to others!

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.