The Kings Contrivance Restaurant, Columbia

When Lord Baltimore granted 370 acres of land to the Reverend James Macgill in 1730, he never imagined that a restaurant would be built there. Macgill and his descendants lived on the homestead for more than 200 years before selling it for restaurant development in the 1960s. Today, their stately columned mansion provides a pastoral backdrop for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Intimate candlelit dining rooms foster a romantic atmosphere, which has prompted frequent proposals inside the restaurant. Voted Howard County's finest dining by Howard Magazine in 2013, The Kings Contrivance Restaurant plays host to flickering lights that illuminate plates of pan-seared filet mignon, roasted duck breast, veal, and sautéed shrimp, all selections on a traditional menu with hints of European and Asian influence. The knowledgeable staff can suggest the best wine to pair with any dish.