It burned to the ground and was rebuilt in the late 1890's. The Kings Contrivance Restaurant is considered Howard County's finest restaurant, serving the very best in New American cuisine with European and Asian influences. In fact, we have been voted Howard county's finest dining for over twenty consecutive years.
We feature one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world and have been awarded the Wine Spectator Best award of excellence each year for the last decade. The Kings Contrivance Restaurant is the ideal venue for rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, special occasions, business functions and private parties from 5 to 200.
We feature one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world and have been awarded the Wine Spectator Best award of excellence each year for the last decade. The Kings Contrivance Restaurant is the ideal venue for rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, special occasions, business functions and private parties from 5 to 200.
Reviews (10)
Ed Tracy
Jan 11, 2022
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Dec 2021: I'd go back, but I was a bit disappointed with some of the food for the price we were paying. We had a group of ten and appreciated the first private room inside to the right.
We had one of each appetizer. The shrimp scampi smelled a little questionable, but the others were loved.
My gumbo (pic) was blah. Flavors all blended, so it all tasted about the same, tho I did appreciate the chopped green onions on top. But that's saying something isn't it? That the most memorable part of the flavor was the green onions.
My vegetarian wife's baked ziti (pic) was also a bit bland. She didn't
We had one of each appetizer. The shrimp scampi smelled a little questionable, but the others were loved.
My gumbo (pic) was blah. Flavors all blended, so it all tasted about the same, tho I did appreciate the chopped green onions on top. But that's saying something isn't it? That the most memorable part of the flavor was the green onions.
My vegetarian wife's baked ziti (pic) was also a bit bland. She didn't
Thomas Noto
Jan 11, 2022
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Don Trappler
Dec 24, 2021
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Linda Bailey
Dec 18, 2021
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We could not have been more thrilled with our NYE dinner here. We had eight people including a medically fragile child and a little guy too young to be vaccinated. They put us in a separate room to protect the little guys. The wait staff was fantastic. They worked with us to give our children the full fancy dining experience. They were very attentive without being intrusive. The food was fantastic. So much so that my non-oral eater took many bites of the seafood bisque. Both the filet mignon and the lamb chops were superb. The shrimp were enormous and perfectly done. And the dessert was just plain
Sarah Morrissette
Oct 04, 2021
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The staff tried. The food was wedding food, and not oh wow that is great wedding food just eh I can eat some of this to survive.
The Maitre D came at the end, when our card had already been taken, and asked about the meal. We were polite but let him know we were not satisfied. We told him we understood staffing trouble and he told us the troubles they were having. He said dessert was on him but then said bill had already been rung so he gave us a note for the next time… he took our plates of dinner which had barely been touched and when asked if we wanted a box and we quickly said no he didn’t
The Maitre D came at the end, when our card had already been taken, and asked about the meal. We were polite but let him know we were not satisfied. We told him we understood staffing trouble and he told us the troubles they were having. He said dessert was on him but then said bill had already been rung so he gave us a note for the next time… he took our plates of dinner which had barely been touched and when asked if we wanted a box and we quickly said no he didn’t
Jeffrey Paulding
Sep 21, 2021
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I recently held my 70th birthday party The Kings Contrivance. We used the large, fan equipped, tent outside, next to the restaurant building. All the guests felt safe and I received many compliments from my guests on the food the restaurant served. Each guest could choose from a small, well appointed three course menu. I was quite pleased with helpful staff, the excellent food, and lovely surroundings. Even the grandchildren enjoyed playing on the well-kept grounds that surround the restaurant. My grandson, Lee, age 5, told me later he loved the chicken tenders he was served.
Dr. Lonny Wortham
Sep 12, 2021
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Lola
Jul 25, 2021
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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
La Vie Est Belle
Jan 05, 2021
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Wendy W.
Jun 26, 2018
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This is one of my very favorite go-to places for fine dining in a quaint, quiet setting. Service is excellent as is the food - always. I took some pictures when I was there in December, but forgot to snap a shot of my delicious duck entree. Add-on to my review: photos of the delicious cheesecake & coconut, chocolate chip ice cream and 2018 fireplace and tree decorations are from yet another visit.
