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Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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The best French food in Columbus by a long shot, there's no comparing it to anything else. If you're on a budget your best bet is to wait until Dine Originals Week (I think there are two a year) and enjoy their prix-fixed menu.
The service is always attentive and you don't have to feel ridiculous if you don't understand something on the menu. They will happily explain each entree if you have questions, and the servers always have great recommendations for wines and desserts.
I am not a fan of scallops but I tried them from my friend's plate and they were delicious. If you order them you won't be sorry!
We went to the Refectory for Valentine's Day for their prix-fixed dinner special (5 courses at $85 plus $37 for wine pairings). We opted out of the wine pairings and ordered a bottle of Gewurtzenmeiner. For each course, I got one option and my husband got the other. We both tried each dish and were pleasantly surprised with each one.
For the first course, I had the Lobster and Crab Marble with the coulis and my husband had the pheasant. Both were absolutely stunning visually and fablously delicious.
For the second course, I had the seared scallop while my husband had the salmon. Both of the dishes were delicious but the scallops wee absolutely phenomenal. I wanted to have just more of that. The sauces that complemented each dish was perfectly seasoned and so delightful.
For the third course, I had the bison while my husband got the veal with a mushroom ravioli.Although the veal dish was great, the bison was amazing. The meat was so perfectly cooked and it was so delicious.
For the cheese course, I had the goat cheese cremeux (mMmM) and my husband had the baked brie on a puff pastry. After having some crazy pungent French cheeses, I was a bit afraid... although I figured you couldn't really go wrong with the brie or the goat cheese. But, even my husband who doesn't like cheese very much, thoroughly enjoyed these two dishes.
And for dessert, I had the Chocolate trio and my husband had the Lemon Mousse. Both were absolutely delicious--not too sweet--the best way to end a great meal.
We definitely want to go back to the Refectory again. After such a great exprience, we went to The Everest in Chicago for their prix-fixed meal but The Refectory's was by far sooo much better. At first, I was afraid that the restaurant would be more for the "older" residents of Upper Arlington; but, it ended up being a great choice for Valentine's Day for us, twenty-somethings too!
It was quite an experience to dine in this restaurant. It was a church in the 80's and converted to this French Restaurant.
The main dining area was well decorated with old wood tables and chairs. The server was very attentive and changed your silverware after each course.
The food was great and tasteful. Enjoy but probably won't go there if travel by myself.
9 out of 10.
Simply, the very best in central Ohio! Sublime food & wine, professional service, magnificent rooms - all add up to the quintessential dining experience.
Having moved to Columbus from NYC 11 years ago, I'm delighted that I never have to apologize for the quality of our food here to my visiting friends. The Refectory is our local NYC Four Seasons restaurant - at about one-third of the price! My NYC foodie friends are amazed we can get such wonderful food prepared so caringly "and the price is so reasonable!" And the wine list has anything you'd want (nice to have a master sommelier!)
Got the same wonderful service and food quality even for their Restaurant Week and other special menus. While the prices are on the high end for Columbus, the value is there!
Saturday night, 2/27/09
Yelped for a good restaurant and found this place.
Ambiance is like.. being in a solemn monastery. Dimly lit, wooden structure and furniture. Interesting.
The waiter was very pleasant with an almost ostentatious smile (which I'd prefer any day over a pretentious would-be actor/waiter in LA). He seemed quite knowledgeable about the menu, and I asked for a few recommendations.
We had scallops, which were delightfully creamy. Its texture was a bit like a very firm tofu, and the sauces were rich.
Next course was a risotto. I'm writing this review off an aging memory, and pictures I took, so I apologize for not being able to detail this course so much. It was good, haha.
The main course was duck. It was well-cooked, but it seemed there was a bit much on the plate... extra fried roll of some sort that didn't seem to serve a purpose on the plate.
I love creme brulee, and the Refectory's was well-done. Simple, with a raspberry and biscuit.
The other dessert we shared was the waiter's recommendation.. I forgot the name of it, but it was a pear sliced thinly and arranged beautifully in a flower petal design. In the center was a scoop of pistachio ice cream. The outer edges of the plate were colored a deep burgundy, red, and orange (a sauce/syrup? I'm not sure what the proper term is). It was delicious.
I'd come back if I'm ever in Columbus again. The dishes seemed to have a lot of thought and care put into them. The dessert was an amazing finish. The interior is very interesting, and unusual.. and probably the only thing keeping me from awarding the Refectory 5 stars (I guess my ideal restaurant would be one with an amazing view, and perhaps a pianist in the house)
The Refectory is always my husband's and my number 1 choice for dining out in Columbus whether we are going out for a special occasion or because neither of us feels like cooking. Even though it can be a little expensive, I consider it a great value because the food is always wonderful; it never disappoints. The Bistro Menu, their limited prix fix menu served weekdays, is truly a value. For a similar amount you can go elsewhere and have a mediocre meal or go to the Refectory and have food that is exquisitely prepared. Another reviewer called it sublime and I concur.
The service is impeccable, welcoming and helpful without being overly familiar and never a hint of hauteur.
I've been here dozens of times, for First Fridays, and with both wives and probably a couple of girlfriends. Tonight I was there to celebrate the Dine Originals week; three courses for $30.
For a starter, I had Roasted Goat Cheese. This was served on a cracker with something else that I don't remember. For the main course, I chose the Poisson Du Jour, in this case it was black bass. It was served with a crabmeat and artichoke crust and a roasted shallot white wine sauce. This was the best fish I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious.
For dessert, I chose the Chocolate Charlotte.
All in all, a great meal!
Six years ago, a group of friends and I had our prom dinner at The Refectory. I remember being ticked off by the fact that they had squeezed our huge prom group in the wine cellar, but everything else was a blur. Six years later, being older, wiser, and with better taste (hopefully!), I ventured back with four of my guy friends for a long overdue catch-up during their happy hour. Happy hour translated to veal sweetbread lasagna, opera gateau, and a cup of coffee for me. The veal sweetbread lasagna was heaven on a plate. Never once was I reminded that I was scarfing down the thymus gland. Honestly, for those who have never had sweetbread, it tastes just like veal. The full-bodied coffee complemented the opera gateau quite nicely. Being the chocoholic that I am, I was expecting a richer dessert, but it was still delightful nonetheless.
My friends had either opted for the veal sweetbread lasagna or the wild mushroom and veal pate en croute, along with a wide array of desserts ranging from the milk chocolate cremeux to the apple crepes. The apple crepes didn't look too appealing, but it could also be because I'm not a big fan of fruity desserts. I did, however, make a mental note of ordering the chocolate cremeux next time, as it looked like a dessert that would satisfy a sweet tooth... for an entire month. Having eyed the leoncini ham and ox tail timbale on the menu, I was a tad disappointed that they no longer carried it.
While the 5 of us were the youngest group present at the restaurant, we certainly were not treated any differently as the staff members were as courteous and as polite as could be. I was, however, slightly annoyed by the hostess' fake French accent. Seriously, if you're going to pull off an accent like that, at least maintain it all the way through; just don't lose it at the second sentence or don't fake it to begin with.
A different but highly satisfying culinary experience, I'm appreciative of having such an establishment here in Columbus overall.
This is undoubtedly of the best restaurants in Columbus. While The Refectory receives huge ratings, I want to point out that this isn't one of those high-end, flashy places that you get decked out to see all the beautiful people milling about. It's quite the opposite. Expect an elegant, warm ambiance with no pretense. Forget all the fancy bells and whistles, The Refectory relies on its brilliant food and consistantly good service to maintain its reputation as one of the best restaurants in town.
Having lived in France and experienced French cuisine throughout the country, I never cease to be blown away by the Refectory. Its food, service and ambiance go unmatched! I first ate here 12 years ago and remember, very clearly, having fois gras, sea bass and creme brulee. (That's about as French as it gets!) It was such a fabulous experience, I made a mental note to come back here for every special occasion- and we have.
I've eaten enough traditional French food to know this is as authentic as it comes. Chef Richard Blondin, a native of Lyon, France who trained under the famed Paul Bocuse, conjures up masterful classic and contemporary dishes. I would put him up against any top chef, but thankfully, we don't have to. The Refectory's long list of awards speaks for itself. On a local level, the restaurant always earns a five star rating, but nationally, it has received the acclaimed DiRona Award for Distinguished Restaurant and AAA has given The Refectory an impressive Four-Diamonds rating. The wine list too has received huge kudos, including the prestigious Award of Excellence and Spectator's Grand Award by Wine Spectator.
I used to poo-poo these types of ratings, but I've learned rather recently the 4- and 5- diamond ratings do not come easy to any restaurant, which makes The Refectory all the more amazing to my Francophile mind.
When it comes to deciding what to eat, you can order your meal a la carte or select a from the prix fixe menu (fixed price)- a French traditional meu offering a choice of three starters, entrees and desserts for a set price. Prices may be a little steeper than most restaurants in town, but The Refectory is well worth the extra money for the the sheer quality of the dishes and the fantastic service. When possible, we request Jean as our server, as she has always taken amazing care of us.
If you prefer not to drop a ton of money or have a lighter appetite, yet you still want "The Refectory experience", try eating in the lounge where the ambiance is not much different than the dining room- only cozier. A a prix fixe Bistro menu is available Monday through Thursday offering your choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert at a slightly cheaper price.
I could rave on and on about the food, but I won't. You just have to try it.
The candlelit dining room is invocative of romance, but the exposed wooden beams and brick lends the space a rustic French charm. The type of atmosphere one would expect of an old resturant in provincial France. The floors creak, the ceilings are high and the place certainly doesn't look 'new'- that's because it isn't.
I find the history of the building as enticing as the menu and wine list. If it looks like like a church on the interior, that's because it was! Since the 1850's, the building has been used as a church and a school and remained in use until 1969, when the congregation outgrew the building. In 1971, it took on a new life as The Olde Church-House Restaurant then eventually became the Refectory Restaurant & Bistro.
For more than 150 years people have been coming to this building to be fed... be it their souls or their stomachs. And no doubt, many patrons still leave having had a spiritual experience. I know I have!!
As a side thought:
The Refectory might be one of the few places in Columbus that has an 'unspoken dress code.' While there are no jacket requirements for men, the general consensus is to dress up a little bit- at minimum, business casual if you plan to eat in the main dining room.
If you prefer the lounge or the patio (which is open seasonally), then casual clothing (including jeans or golf gear) will not look out of place.
See profile site for full review with formatted pics.
I've been to Lola with Symon's "Iron Chef" ideals, Handke's with his Bocuse d'or credentials, and Rosendales with his Culinary Olympic feats...none of them can even hold a candle to the tastes and textures produced by Richard Blondin at the Refectory. Additionally, I've been to Michelin starred bastions of haute-French such as Alex, Le Cirque, and MiX with their $150+/pp menus and can honestly say that while their Christofle silverware and ability to source incredibly rare and complex ingredients is commendable and impressive the food isn't THAT much better than the succulent flavors at the Refectory. I had high expectations walking in the door and left with almost every one exceeded...The Refectory is, hands down, the best dining experience I've had in Ohio.
Kamal Boulos not only knows how to run a 5-Star restaurant, he will actually help serve your meal right to your table! When my wife and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary, we chose the best restaurant in Columbus, The Refectory, The owner, Kamal was kind enough to check on us periodically and even offered us our choice of free desserts as an anniversary gift! Now, that's service!
My wife and I ordered a full course meal starting with an appetizer. We absolutely loved their escargot. Yum-Yum! For our entrees, my wife chose the seafood special, succulent Maine lobster and I chose the prime rib special. It was very difficult for us to determine which entree was better! We shared everything. Do I need to mention that we imbibed in their award winning wine selection? Zinfandel for my wife and Merlot for me. Awesome! And for our free dessert, we both chose the freshly baked chocolate souffle. Wow, what a treat! Thank God we had room.
If you never, ever visit my good friend, Kamal, at The Refectory, you are missing the very best that Columbus has to offer in 5-Star Luxury Dining. Sure, it's expensive, but it's worth every penny. Believe me. When you go, please tell Kamal that Roy sent you :)
This restaurant is nastiness at it's best...the worst-for-your-money place in CMH. We went table for 2 in Jan08...
Place:
-old chapel/farmhouse ambiance, but smells musty, floors creak, and guarantee you if you swipe your finger on anything, you'll have a roll of dust on your fingertip, no kidding
-super romantic looks are drowned by the anxiety that a rat could run across the floor at anytime
-bathroom is super old and needs updating
-carpet is old and super nasty
-lighting needs to be updated
-staff was super friendly, but once it got busy, we had to ask for bread and ask for more water...at a place like this, those both should be on the table ad nauseum
Food:
-great on paper, bad execution of dishes
-everything was WAY too salty, my veins needed a detox afterwards
-ingredients are not fresh and even tastes STALE
-great wine selection
-the ostrich was not prepared to proper sou-vis, therefore it was CHEWY in texture and was not fun to eat
-the salmon roullade was wonderful, the only standout here
-the venison was not fresh and was overdone
-the lobster bisque was ok, but too much cream which drowned out the rest of the flavors
-desert was aweful, you could taste the refrigerator and it was practically eating pure white sugar and hydrogenated crisco, formed into a cake. WAY too much sugar to the point of disgusting!
-the trout was not fresh and was overcooked. It lost the supple bounce and moisture that trout is so good for!
Save your money and go to a sure thing that's living in the 2000's, not 1980...unless you like musty, old places serving food of the similar fare.
Been here once for a special occasion. Really good, takes forever to eat, but I love that kind of thing!
Maybe it's because I've been living away from Columbus for too long (born and raised there, but gone for about 11 years now) or maybe it's because I live in the restaurant capital of the country (San Francisco), but I was completely underwhelmed with my experience here.
My hubby and I took my parents here for their anniversary and we just weren't impressed. Attentive but semi-clueless service (champagne wasn't chilling in the bucket next to the table, as is standard practice and as we had requested when we made the reservation), dated decor and the absolute LAMEST cheese plate I've ever seen. I guess midwesterners don't often order cheese for dessert, but to serve COLD cheese with Pepperidge Farm crackers is laughable.
I don't mind paying for quality, but - sadly - this isn't it. I will not be rushing back next time I'm in town.
I have been here twice since moving to Columbus and both times I have enjoyed it immensely. I am sorry to hear that others have not. I found the waitstaff to be very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and their wine list (which is extensive). Both times I have gone to the Refectory I have had a fixed menu and both times there was great and just OK parts of the meal. The only time I was disappointed was when I got sweet breads which were not to my liking, the texture was grainy and the flavor was off not sure what was up with that since I usually love sweet breads.
Roll over-because you just died and went to heaven. Oh my god, this place has it all. First of all, cozy in to what feels like a chalet in the alps. Have a martini-I don't mind if I do. Be mystified as everything you desire appears before your eyes without even noticing the waitstaff. Order a delicious red from an extensive wine menu. Then sit back and get ready to enjoy one of the best meals of your life. Fantastic freshly caught game, like melt in your mouth venison wrapped in bear bacon. Desserts to die for-you can't go wrong with the CHOCOLATE BOMBE! This place is the cream of the cream. mmmm mmmm
I was in Dublin, OH, this past weekend and booked a reservation for dinner at the charming church-turned-French restaurant called The Refectory. The food was stellar, particularly the fish. I loved my Lake Walleye in bonne femme sauce (I hadn't heard of that before either, and had to ask what it was....I don't remember now, but it was delicious!) and others purred while downing their mussel soups. The restaurant accommodated countless changes to the reservation with great hospitality. And the wait staff made us all feel like royalty for a day. We practically floated back to the hotel...we were on cloud nine!
it's hard for me to rate a place like this because it's a bit beyond my typical budget plans for a meal, but i can't lie and say the service and quality of food (and presentation) isn't excellent here. i'm not used to being treated like a baby and having people wipe up my every crumb, but it's the only 5 star restaurant in town and i can't deny it. definitely get some kind of soup if you go there, the potato crusted tilapia was excellent as well.
While I was impressed with the ambiance (someone already mentioned it's an old church), I found the service to be way WAY over the top. I have been to many fancy and classy places, and I thought this was definitely one of them. However, when you arrive to a restaurant for the first time and the host says 'oh...Dr and Mrs, of course, of course, welcome back' - that sounds a little strange considering you just told them you've never been there before. Our waiter was a little too animated for my taste as well. All of this wouldn't matter if I was blown away by the food. It was not great. First of all, the mussel soup was too acidic. The sides of my entree were too salty. I couldn't eat them. I have to say that the chocolate lava cake WAS amazing. The biggest problem manifested itself late at night, when both my husband and I got very sick. The Dr. told me it was food poisoning and it didn't let go until 2 days later. If you decide to check this place out, I hope you have better luck.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Worthington
Category: French
Neighborhood: German Village
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: French
Neighborhood: University District
Category: American (New)
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