The Kings Contrivance — Restaurant in Maryland

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...

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

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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...

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 once offer a refund or any compensation beyond the dessert.

They are dreadfully understaffed so taking 30 minutes for a drink, having empty water glasses for another 30, an hour until apps are all understandable with the staff issue. My dirty martini wasn’t dirty. My husbands mint and cucumber mojito had no mint the second time. The only food that was what we would call in the range of good was escargot and the fried oysters. The Brie tasted as if it had turned. The seafood chowder was bland, the Cesar salad was soggy, the ribeye was COVERED in bland brown gravy, chicken piccata was flavorless and a bit chewy and all the vegetables seemed to be ready for purée they were steamed and no detectable seasoning. We actually asked an hour and a half in to cancel the entrees if not started, we just wanted to leave. The waiter said they were almost ready and being people who hate to waste or inconvenience we said okay we will wait. We shouldn’t of, the meal and tip was $200 and we still had to get another meal that night.

It was our 10 year wedding anniversary and our original plan for 18 & 21st was canceled due to a flooded kitchen. This place was recommended as somewhere to dress up for and get great food. It would make for a romantic wedding venue and had we just gone for a drink we may have had a different view but the food, it just was not good if you like flavorful food, or .. fresh food.

The picture of the steak is after he tried to scrape...