The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro

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1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220-2610
Columbus, OH 43220

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(614) 451-9774
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The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro - Columbus, OH
The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro - Columbus, OH
The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro - Columbus, OH
Reviews
( 17 )
( 11 )
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( 1 )
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Best

This is the best restaurant in Columbus for fine dining. You have all the elements of a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is romantic, the service is exceptional without being ...

Worst

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. Pros: wonderful food...

Editorial review from Citysearch 11/20/2012

it is a new experience for me and my family. it was our first time to visit the place and we will definitely be coming back. more
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If you crave for wine? 6/9/2009

Great food with nice rice , people are friendly. and we like to eat different food. please go there. because it's good place to chill. i will bring my grilfriend there sometimes. and it's closed by. Pros: great wine Cons: expensive more
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The Best 2/23/2009

This is the best restaurant in Columbus for fine dining. You have all the elements of a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is romantic, the service is exceptional without being over-bearing and the food is always great with a beautiful presentation. Did I mention the fine china you eat off of? The owner and his assistant will do anything to make you comfortable. They truely strive to make you go home feeling well taken care of. Lastly, if you don't feel like dining in the restaurant, the bar is almost more romantic with a great menu, too. I love the fireplace in there! Pros: They also do a nice job using the internet to confirm reservations and tell you about upcoming events. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and will guide you about anything on the menu/wine list. Cons: Some people may be put off that there are not HUGE plates of food--this is not Mortons and doesn't pretend to be. It is fine dining!!! more
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Very classy! 12/13/2008

My husband and I visited The Refectory for our 8th anniversary this past October. We both walked away... more
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Very classy! 12/12/2008

Rici Provided by Partner
My husband and I visited The Refectory for our 8th anniversary this past October. We both walked away thinking, “This is an amazing restaurant.” ... more
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One of the best 11/15/2008

The Refectory is one of the finest restaurants in the area. Period. They are willing to prepare things no longer on the menu, if it is something you enjoyed in the past. more
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Best Culinary Experience In Columbus! 4/9/2008

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 more
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Great Restaurant! 7/13/2007

Fine Dining, great atmosphere. Up there with Sedeo Cafe. At Sedeo the chef came to the table to check on us, how cool! you really have to have confidence in your cooking to do that! more
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good food but... 6/18/2007

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. Pros: wonderful food Cons: stuffy and dark more
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Wonderful Experience 1/1/2007

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"" 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 more
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good food, stuffy service 8/19/2006

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 more
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Excellent Special Occasion Event 4/20/2006

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 more
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First Class all the way. 5/31/2005

If fine dining and exquisite elegance are your fashion, the look no further then this resteraunt. It has some of the best dishes in Ohio, let alone the exccellent waiters. PROS: Great food CONS: pricey more
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Absolutely PERFECT... 10/2/2004

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! more
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The best! 7/27/2004

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 more
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Great Graduation Celebration 1/14/2004

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 more
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too quiet 11/6/2003

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. more
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fabulous 12/11/2002

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 more
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Delicious! 11/24/2002

Hands down, the Refectory is the nicest in Columbus. Be warned, though, the Refectory costs a pretty penny and should only be reserved for the most special occasions. This is not a restaurant to take your date to for Prom or for children under 18. This is a restaurant for adults. Everything is expensive, and skipping alcohol will help save money. The atmosphere is incredibly quiet and tables are very secluded. If you're looking for romance, this is the place. But be careful who you take. The service is designed to be slow and sparse to give you time to enjoy yourselves, and you will only talk to the people seated at your table. If everything on the menu seems foreign, try the swordfish... it was the best meal I have ever eaten in my life! Save the Refectory for a once in a lifetime meal, you won't regret it. Pros: Delicious food, Knowledgeable staff, Quiet Cons: Expensive more
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An amazing (but expensive) dining experi 10/27/2002

The refectory is the perfect place for a special romantic dinner. The main dining room is in an old converted church. They have the most attentive and knowledgeable servers. The food and wine selection is second to none. For those on a budget they generally have a specially priced menu in their bistro, and their wine tasting events are a great opportunity to sample some great vintages and some delicious hor d'ouvres (spelling?) Also they do a great job on private parties, I have been to a number of business dinners there and everything was perfect. Pros: Great wine selection, Good parking Cons: expensive more
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Menu for The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro


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Representing the purist tradition in French cuisine, this is a perennial favorite among elite diners.

Owner Message

  • The Refectory: to some, a landmark of dining greats in this city; to others, a link to yesterday, where beneath its old majestic ceiling, the spirit of its past and the presence for which it was set apart can still be felt.

    The exceptional classic and contemporary French cuisine is complemented by a world-class wine cellar encompassing over 700 selections assembled by our wine director. An experienced and knowledgeable staff and the personal touch of owner Kamal Boulos, complete the gracious yet unpretentious service that enhance a memorable evening.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Housed in an old church that was converted in the early '70s, the restaurant's atmosphere is dark and dramatic, almost austere, with stained-glass windows and wooden beams in...

  • 8/17/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa, Discover, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: Linworth Village, Sycamore Hills
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