The Refectory Restaurant & BistroWonderful TimeMy wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at the Refectory on Saturday. The food was exceptionally good. The waiter was prompt, helpful, and interesting. The environment was nice. Only wished we had been able to sign up for the Great Gatsby event (sold out).6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMSingularly ExquisiteThis was quite possibly the best dining experience I have ever had. The owner, Kamal Boulos, was a gracious host, friendly and personable. He made you feel like a guest and not a customer. The food was outstanding - rich and flavorful. The wait staff was attentive without being obtrusive. More than highly recommended!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThoroughly satisfyingExcellent service provided by an intelligent and articulate server available whenever needed but never hovering. Well-separated tables and a high ceiling in the former sanctuary kept the noise level unusually low. There was a short disappointment when the venison for two was unavailable, but it was certainly made up for by the lamb rack for two with a gift of pate specially presented and accompanied by a small further gift of a Sauternes. An imaginative lobster bisque soup and an artichoke salad to begin. For dessert the very fresh fruit and separate sorbets (a small scoop each of three different flavors--strawberry, apple and cherry--in individual cups). Richer choices were available. We stayed late but were never nudged to go. Excellent.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a wonderful experienceAlways a wonderful experience at the Refectory. The food and the service are outstanding! Highly recommend our favorite restaurant!!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExemplary dining experienceTook my hubby for his bday. He had been asking to go for years but it just never worked out.
We enjoyed ourselves to the fullest extent. The service was impeccable, the food was outstanding, and the ambiance was pleasant.
Great place to take guests or impress someone with great taste.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst Friday MenuWe'd been wanting to try one of the First Friday Menu special events for quite a while, but kept running into scheduling problems, so were thrilled to be able to attend the one in June. We've dined at The Refectory often enough to know everything is wonderful, so we weren't at all hesitant about committing to this 4-course set menu (which we'd reviewed online). With so many tempting options on the regular menu, it was actually something of a relief not to have to make difficult decisions about what to order. We chose the optional "wine flight" of 4 wines to complement the menu, rather than selecting a bottle from the (very excellent) list. Made for an entirely delightful evening out. Any dinner at The Refectory is a special occasion!6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFavorite for sure!Impeckable service, food, atmosphere and the physical building is magnificent! We celebrated our anniversary on our latest visit with our friend who proposed to his wife here. That represents the quality memories that keep us coming back! GO! You will LOVE the experience!6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother anniversaryThe place is always reliable for special occasions, or any occasion actually. Food and service are always first class.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerThe dinner started out fine, however the bison ordered was too well done, not the pink center as requested. They ordered another entree and this time it was cooked as ordered. All in all, a nice evening with great service.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the best!Once again, superb meals all around. The Refectory just never misses. Two of us had the whole Dover sole which was expertly filleted at table-side. The Bison steak received rave reviews and my husband ordered the lamb tenderloins which were so wonderful that I can hardly wait to go back and order it myself. Our friends shared the foie gras appetizer and they raved about it.... best they had ever tasted. Our Caesar salads were excellent and the multi-grain bread served was warm and delicious. We had a lovely dinner that lasted over 2 hours and we never felt rushed. All the servers at The Refectory are superbly trained and you are guaranteed a fabulous dining experience EVERY time you go there.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAn outstanding dining experience.An outstanding dining experience. Highly recommended for special occasions. Service, food, wine, ambiance is impeccable. You truly feel pampered and the servers cater to and anticipate your every need.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing restaurantThis was a great restaurant for our 10th anniversary. I loved the food and the service. Simply amazing5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Restaurant, Best Experience!I took my boyfriend here as a surprise for his birthday. I had some doubts because we usually eat sushi for special occasions and I was concerned about how much I'd be spending. We'd been wanting to try it though so I went for it. I was certainly not disappointed!
The ambiance of the place was wonderful and the staff was excellent. We ordered off the Bistro menu and got different things for each course so we could try more of the options. Everything was amazing but the cuckoo eggs were simply incredible, as was the leg of lamb. The drink menu had prices, which was really nice if you're here for a special occasion, but still on a budget. The meal lasted ~2hrs. Don't come here if you're in a rush - food this good deserves to be enjoyed!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMImpressedWent for wife's bday dinner (first time visiting). We were met with peerless service, a seemingly endless wine list, delicious and attractively plated dishes, and a copious amount of classy and romantic ambience. While a bit pricey, the experience was closer to culinary and service perfection than nearly any restaurant we've yet been to. A must-try for your special occasions.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing ExperienceWe had great service. We were looking at wines around 35 dollars and asked which was the best. The easier asked us what we like and told us he would recommend one. We thought he would recommend something expensive but he recommended one the same price and it was better than we expected. The food was beyond what we expected and they even gave us a small appetizer to try with poor wine. We celebrated our anniversary and couldn't have had a better experience.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMA special evening. The seaA special evening. The sea bass was exquisite, an example of a chef at his best. Outstanding wine pairings.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatThis place is consistently our place to provide friends with a awesome experience. The chef and staff are as innovative as you let them be. Order from the menu or let your server surprise you with off the menu choices.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDidn't live up to the hypeWe were really disappointed that The Refectory didn't live up to our expectations. Most of our food was really good (not totally amazing) but the main problem was an entree that was almost inedibley salty. Sad!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGood Anniversary MealThe food was quite good at the Refectory, as was the ambiance. It provided an excellent place romantic dinner for my girlfriend and I's 3rd year anniversary. However, the restaurants atmosphere may tend mores toward an older generation.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMTasty!Excellent food, sensible portions, knowledge/engaging staff. Lived close to this restaurant for 18 years . . . finally decided to go. Why didn't we go sooner!?!?! It was perfect spot to celebrate our anniversary. Definitely going back again . . .5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA delightful meal that showedA delightful meal that showed the Chef's talents especially well -- thought provoking presentation of turbot with a well chosen wine accompanying. Exemplary of why we dine there regularly.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent choice for a greatExcellent choice for a great meal - service was attentive and very knowledgeable.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlmost fantasticThe prix fixe bistro menu was diverse enough that my bride & I were able to sample different items without exhaustingthe possibilities, and of course, the food and the service were exceptional. It was unfortunate that having a drink before dinner and one with dinner doubled the cost of the experience. It was also unfortunate that the two-man ensemble which began to play at about 7:15 did so quite loudly and with the assistance of amplifiers and microphones. Loggins & Messina tunes in a small, romantic, bistro atmosphere, cranked to the volume of a Motley Crue concert definitely diminished our overall enjoyment.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day eleganceMy husband and I dined at the Refectory to celebrate Mother's Day and his birthday. We felt like royalty. The service was impeccable and the food was excellent. We had appetizers that we had never had before and they were wonderful. Our filet mignon was cooked perfectly and was so tender and juicy. The dessert was decadent and delicious. We would highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome night outNo minor detail goes unnoticed for the restaurant staff. Fabulous food. Fabulous service. Can't wait to go back!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMCrab bisque was an explosionCrab bisque was an explosion of fresh flavor. Wine parings superb.
As expected.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDivine DiningA old church converted into a french restaurant, this place is easily one of the best fine dining establishments in the city, if not the entire state, (Up there with the Worthington Inn, in my opinion). The service is friendly, attentive, and knowledgable. The food is interesting, local, and delicious. You really can't go wrong here if you're going out for an occasion in Columbus.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerA wonderful cap to our 25th anniversary. Greeted by the owner with Happy Anniversary inserts in our menus; wait staff was friendly and attentive but not pushy. Food was well presented and delicious.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWine parings for the FirstWine parings for the First Friday menu especially nice. Dessert a delightful deconstruction of strawberry shortcake.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Bistro menu is the bestThe Bistro menu is the best thing ever. The price is wonderful and the portions were ample. The food was simply outstanding. The service was exemplary and the ambience was beautiful and relaxing.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMOur experience was great.Our experience was great. The service, food and environment were very good. We will definitely return.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBest of Columbus!We went to the Refectory for my Birthday with a group of 6 people, and it was wonderful! The food, atmosphere and service were the best I've experienced in Columbus. Thank you to the Refectory for making my 31st Birthday so special!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe bestYou simply cannot find a better dining experience in Columbus than the Refectory. No place has comparable service - attentive but not intrusive. The food is incredible across the board - have never had anything that wasn't special, wonderful and delicious. Dishes are interesting and inventive without being too strange or extreme. Looking forward to going back.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our go-to place forThis is our go-to place for anniversaries and birthdays. It has never disappointed us.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Refectory never failsThe Refectory never fails to have the finest food for the best value around. Plus, the service is second to none.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful dinnerWe had a wonderful dinner with terrific service. Overall, it was outstanding.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWaiter's wine pairing recommendatioWaiter's wine pairing recommendations were spot on.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AM5 girlfriends went and had5 girlfriends went and had the Refectory's Tax Relief price-fixed menu which is 3 courses under $30.
The choices were very wide and each was prepared with the best ingredients and looked absolutely artistic when each arrived.
Delicious.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always we had a wonderfulAs always we had a wonderful experience for our anniversary celebration!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional eveningFour of us decided to take advantage of The Refectory's Tax Relief Menu. Three courses - appetizer, entree and dessert - were offered for $29.13. Appetizer choices included asparagus feuillete, country terrine, seafood and duck egg quiche and roasted goat cheese with a beet coulis, to name a few. Entree choices included a duet of Ohio lamb and quai, braised short ribs with bacon, a duet of fishes and a beef shoulder tenderloin au poivre with cardamom sauce. Dessert choices were chocolate mousse, creme caramel and mixed berries with violet chantilly. Everything was both delicious and a feast for the eyes. Service was a little slow, but not a problem considering the exceptional food, pleasing ambience and generous bread refills. Great value!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful as always! GreatWonderful as always! Great food for palate and beauty.
Classic attentive service.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent. TheThe food was excellent. The waitress was knowledgable and charming, and the support staff was efficient and courteous. It was a perfect evening.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMI took my wife to the RefectoryI took my wife to the Refectory for her 40th birthday. It was an outstanding experience. The food was great and so was the service. I would highly recommend this restaurant.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMYou run an enchanting restaurant.I took out my husband for his birthday and our experience was wonderful. The quiet music and hushed ambiance were relaxing, the food and wine delicious as well as presented artfully. Service certainly met our expectations; the server was helpful without being overbearing. We had a lovely evening.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is excellent every timeFood is excellent every time we've dined at the restaurant.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Refectory was outstanding,The Refectory was outstanding, as usual. Flawless service and delicious food. The bread is house baked and the most delicious in town. The bread serving is always generous and the square of chilled, unsalted, real butter is the perfect spread. Our service was impeccable but maybe a bit too intense. We just wanted to enjoy our cocktails and talk for a while before ordering but were interrupted a little too frequently.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMMy family and I had EasterMy family and I had Easter brunch at The Refectory, and it was delicious. The chef had prepared a three course meal with wonderful options. It was without question, the best brunch I have ever had. My husband and I have also dined at The Refectory for dinner. The chef is the best in Columbus, and the wine selection is vast. I highly recommend The Refectory!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome ExperienceWonderful Easter dinner, the food was top with special attention paid to taste and quality. Service was over the top with attention and professionalism. Great time and Great restaurant - we will be back.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service, the food, theThe service, the food, the atmosphere blended to make us feel like we were in the middle of our own private party. What a fabulous experience!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a great venue withAlways a great venue with exceptional food, wine and ambience.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AM