The Refectory

04/09/2008 Posted by neurotikitty

From start to finish, an amazing meal and service experience! The service staff anticipated our every need and delivered everything in an unobtrusive manner. They were knoweledgeable and the food was melt-in-your-mouth good! Seriously, they may have served to me the best filet mignon I have ever had. Oh, and I loved the table visit from the owner at the end of our meal--not sure if that's the norm, but it made us feel special. I can't wait to go back!

Pros: Amazing wine, service and food!

Cons: Decor

06/18/2007 Posted by montyb49

My hubby and I went to The Refectory for our anniversary in March. By the time dessert came i was full and had the waitress box up my brown sugar pudding. The next day i went to put my pudding in a regular bowl so i could enjoy it when i look down and see some sort of cable adaptor laying in my pudding. My hubby tells me later its some sort of network cable plug. I call the restaurant and explain to them what i found. They were very apologetic and quickly got my name, number and address and told me their manager would be giving me call. in a few days the manager calls and lets me know that he wants to personally bring a dessert to my house for me to enjoy. I'm thinking "wow...okay!" We set up a date and a time. The time comes i'm waiting around the house for a while....he never shows up. I call the restaurant a liitle while later. I'm connected to the manager he tells me that he forgot. He offers no apology and tries to set up another date and time with me. I tell him not to worry about it. I guess i half expected to receive something in the mail after that or to have my original dessert cost credited to my credit card or something but none of these things happened. If the manager hadn't gotten my hopes up with the thought of a hand delivered yummy dessert and then not following through with his committment I wouldn't have been as disappointed by my experience but he did and I am. To this day i have yet to receive anything from them for the inconvenience. I will be honest and say i didn't expect that. I'll probably not go back.

Pros: wonderful food

Cons: stuffy and dark

01/01/2007 Posted by sarahp43085

i don't get out to anything this fine quality that often. i love to eat out and consider myself a bit of a food snob. that being said, i can only afford to eat out at a place like this only every once in awhile, and i never felt a hint of snobbery one might expect from such a fine dining locale. our main waiter, Kevin, was fantastic, although I'm sure we threw him off, us not being your run of the mill average customers. I was with Jeremy, and he asked for a second bottle of a british pale ale. it took a long time for kevin to get back, apologizing for the delay and had the news that they were out of that particular ale. So, Kevin first suggests a replacement that would be similiar, and then brings it out, saying, "first take a taste, the i will be back to tell you the story of that beer" it turned out to be actually one of MY favorite beers, 'La Fin Du Monde', and he didn't charge us for it. Such a fantastic place, and when i feel the need, i will definetly be back. Thank You Kevin for the laughs! The best part about the whole occasion was that it was only the two of us, and we had literally a corner to ourselves. (although something was a little wonky w/ their heating that evening)

Pros: good parking, personable staff, and DEFINETLY the setting/amibience

Cons: the heating was off, pricey (duh), this type of attentive service is not for everyone

08/20/2006 Posted by modn1

the food was good. service was too stuffy - had dinner for party of 12. we're all in our 30's, young professionals and would have liked it to be less stuff - definitely for an older crowd. i made reservations for 12 ppl but we weren't seated until 1/2 hour after the reservation because they were getting the wine cellar ready. should have done that prior to us showing up. the place was not busy.

Pros: good food

Cons: long wait though we had reservations, stuffy service

04/20/2006 Posted by jen2879

I took my husband to this restaurant for his birthday. We requested a private booth (on the recommendation of another reviewer). The stainglass remodled church is beautiful and the service impeccable. The food is high class dishes you cannot find anywhere else. I orderd the duck and my husband the elk; both were incredible. If you are looking for a special occasion location with a romantic ambiance, this is the place. Not recommended for large groups--much better for an intimate gathering.

Pros: Unique Dishes, Privacy, Excellent Service

Cons: Small Menu, Pricey w/ small meals

10/03/2004 Posted by chicnyclady

The Refectory is, undoutedly, one of the best restaurants we have ever dined. Our relocation from New York City could have been a more difficult experience, but the presence of this true gem of an establishment has made Columbus infinitely better! We have dined in fine restaurants all over the world and found that the quality of cuisine, unparalleled wine list and the attentiveness of the staff (and owner) places Refectory among the best. The dishes are uniquely and creatively prepared, the blend of ingredients creates a harmony for the palate, while the cocktails and wine list are a perfect complement. In short, this upscale restaurant has an amazing cuisine and wine list, and the ambience of the converted church adds so much character to an already amazing establishment.

Pros: Amazing food, Great wine list, The best!

07/28/2004 Posted by langalich

I have dined in many fine restaurants in numerous places but this is still my favorite. The Refectory has delivered a consistently great experience over the last eight years we have dined there. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, the food is prepared to perfection, the wine list is unmatched, and I have not experienced better service anywhere else in this area. Furthermore, we have found that because The Refectory is so fair with their wine prices we can enjoy a great multi-course dinner with wine for less than we could at some of the more well-known 'chain' restaurants. Also their Bistro menu allows for more frequent but less 'extravagant' dining. Truly a superior restaurant!

Pros: Outstanding Service, Amazing Cuisine, Extraordinary Wine Se

01/15/2004 Posted by cloverhollowkid

A group of eight of us dined at the restaurant to celebrate the graduation of our son's girlfriend from OSU. Only my wife and I had dined here before. The food was superb, and the wine selection was outstanding. All eight of us unanimously agreed that it was a dining experience worth remembering, and repeating. If you want great service, food and wine, don't miss this one.

Pros: great food, great service, nice ambience

Cons: expensive

11/06/2003 Posted by ryuryubu

I didn't think it was going to be like this kind of restaurant. I'm relatively young and have traveled the world for good food. This place, according to this website was supposed to be top notch. The food was dressed well but lacked ingredients to call itself 'best french'. The frois grois was extremely heavily and lacked the hint of duck liver. Nonetheless the service was great, but the atmosphere was a archaic barn yard. Nonetheless, it is not suited for young people.

12/11/2002 Posted by marycoker

there is not a finer place to dine in columbus. the service is impecable and the food to die for... plus the wine is out of this world