KCR is the most beautiful classic place for a meal in Howard County. The food in the past has lived up to the ambiance but in the most recent visit there were some let downs. The meal started with an excellent Brie and an excellent Riesling. The main courses were Crab Cakes and Veal Margarita. The Crab Cakes were very good but not quite as good as past visit although I still would go back for them. The big disappointment was the veal. It was a really ugly piece of veal that reminded me of processed meats. A bland marinara sauce over soggy spaghetti made the dish almost uneatable. The best part was perfectly prepared vegetables so it wasn't a total loss. A fruit tart was excellent as well. I still love the place so hopefully this was just a once off.

Amazing Anniversary dinner at King's Contrivance Restaurant! Highly, highly recommend the crab cake dinner! Very best crab cake I've ever had! Family loved their meals, too. Daughter had rib eye steak, son had a beef dish, too and husband had the stuffed shrimp with crab meat. Prices were excellent for quality of food and excellent service!!!!

Such a wonderful evening in one of the best restaurants in the area. Never a bad meal have I had while dinning here. Unfortunately, the bread is no longer free, and my favorite desert the English Trifle is no longer on the menu.

Kings Contrivance It has been awhile since I had last visited this beautiful manor home located in Columbia that is situated in a residential area. We were set for our traditional annual holiday gathering and the group had unanimously decided they wanted to return to Kings Contrivance. We were a group of 10 and were given a very nice private room downstairs. They have beautifully decorated the interiors and dining rooms in festive holiday decor. We had a lovely waitstaff person and an assistant who provided excellent service and were very attentive. I believe having come on a Tuesday evening probably avoided the more crowded busy weekends. The dinner menu carried a well varied amount of choices and a few dinners were also selected from their Chef Specials. I enjoyed a deliciously thick and flavorful Cream of Mushroom soup, where you could really taste true bits of mushrooms in each spoonful. Others had salads or the Maryland crab soup. Entrées were presented in an appealing manner and everyone seemed to enjoy their choices. I had the Roasted Duck Breast with Orange Ginger sauce and fruit compote that had just the right balance in flavors. The side dish accompaniments were also well prepared and not overly cooked. A few ladies decided to share a few desserts and the Lemon Apricot Cheesecake was especially enjoyed. The white linen covered tables and poinsettia and holiday tree displays lent a very nice festive atmosphere. They are offering additional lunch service dates for the holiday period so it would be best to check their website for the most up dated information. It has always been known as a place to enjoy a couples night out but I would also recommend returning to the Kings Contrivance for group gatherings or family get togethers too. The ambience was much enjoyed, service was spot on and the food was delicious.