Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture

Name: Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture
Address: 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ, United States, 08619
Telephone: (609) 584-7800
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.2

4.2

8528 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary French

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 58 times today

Charming
Great for scenic views
Great for outdoor dining

Rat’s Restaurant is the perfect dining destination. Named for the fabled entertaining character in Kenneth Graham’s children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows, Rat’s Restaurant is designed to give visitors the sense they have stepped into a village reminiscent of the impressionist painter Claude Monet’s beloved town of Giverny. Rustic fireplaces, country French cuisine, seasonal hand-crafted cocktails and an eclectic beer and wine list are just the beginning. Regarded as one of the most romantic and beautiful restaurants in our region, Rat’s was named Philadelphia Magazine’s “Most Romantic Restaurant. Rats Restaurant and catering is proudly managed by Constellation Culinary.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary French
Hours of Operation
Lunch Thu–Sun 11:00–14:45 Dinner Thu–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
Phone number
(609) 584-7800
Website
http://www.ratsrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Jules Odum
Catering
Rat’s Restaurant and Ground For Sculpture offers a full complement of resources and services for a wide range of social, private, and corporate functions. So many events—from weddings and holiday parties to meetings & trade shows have been inspired by the unique interplay of nature and art. Only the unparalleled service and dedicated staff’s attention to detail rival the setting itself. Rat's provides award-winning menus for groups up to 200 with flexible space and tiered food and beverage packages that may be customized to your specific need and budget <br />
Private party facilities
When looking to host a memorable affair, Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture is the ultimate venue for a unique and elegant event. Whether planning a small wedding, intimate cocktail party, or corporate dinner, Rat’s private dining rooms, lounges, and outdoor spaces is just right!

Location
16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Area
Princeton
Cross Street
Sculpture Way
Parking details
Abundant parking is available in our private parking lot.
Public transit
Less than 3 miles from the Hamilton, NJ Amtrak/NJ Transit complex
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

ARTISANAL CHEESESUS$29.00
3 artisanal creamery cheeses, seasonal compote, roasted nuts, honeycomb, crostini (dairy, gluten, nuts)
TRIO OF SPREADSUS$31.00
garlic yogurt, red pepper hummus, eggplant caponata, with watermelon radish, cucumber, grilled naan (dairy, gluten)
SOUP DU JOURUS$12.00
FRENCH ONION SOUPUS$15.00
baguette, croiton, thyme, gruyère (dairy, gluten)
HOUSE SMOKED PORK BELLYUS$22.00
calvados, phyllo, granny smith apples black truffle, cider cream vinaigrette (dairy, gluten)
BAKED BRIEUS$24.00
sour cherry, poulet pan frita, sourdough (dairy, gluten)
STEAMED MUSSELSUS$17.00
garlic, leek, creme fraiche, saffron (shellfish, dairy)
OCTOPUS CARPACCIOUS$23.00
calabrian caper vinaigrette, blood orange, chives (nightshade, allium)
STEAK TARTARUS$25.00
purple mustard, sundried tomato, caper, shallot, hen egg, baguette (dairy, gluten)

Sides

CHARRED BROCCOLINIUS$13.00
duck fat bearnaise, duck crumb (dairy)
HAND CUT POTATO WEDGESUS$10.00
herb butter, sea salt, butter (dairy)
ROASTED CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMSUS$18.00
thyme, banyuls, brown butter (dairy)

Entrees & Sandwiches

RAT'S CHEESEBURGERUS$20.00
lettuce, tomato, onion, truffle aioli, brioche bun, pickle spear, potato wedges (dairy, gluten)
- smoked baconUS$2.00
TURKEY CROISSANTUS$19.00
smoked bacon, arugula, persian cucumber, dill aioli, green salad (dairy, gluten)
FRENCH DIPUS$22.00
prime rib, swiss cheese, horseradish aioli, french onion jus (dairy, gluten)
DAY BOAT CODUS$41.00
celery root pave, basil, lemongrass buttermilk (dairy)
CHARRED BROCCOLIUS$24.00
puffed grains, pastrami spice, mint tahina, shredded asparagus, fennel and celery (sesame, garlic, nightshade)

Salads

RAT'S ROTISSERIE CHICKENUS$20.00
warm pulled rotisserie chicken, baby kale, baby gem lettuce, roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, dried cranberries, maytag blue cheese, pecans, roasted shallot dressing (dairy, nuts)
PLUM SALADUS$21.00
red dandelion, watercress, black plums, stracciatella, raspberry, pistachio, raspberry red wine vinaigrette (dairy, nuts)
GRILLED CAESARUS$21.00
anchovy crumb, pecorino, black pepper, yuzu caesar dressing (dairy, gluten, fish)
DUCK CONFIT SALADUS$26.00
frisee, haricot vert, humbolt fog, torn herbs, candied walnuts, crispy duck leg, whole grain mustard vinaigrette (dairy, nuts)
- grilled chickenUS$8.00
- shrimpUS$10.00
- steakUS$13.00

What 8,528 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.3Service
4.7Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New Jersey
Most Booked
Mercer
Best Ambience
Mercer
Great for brunch
Mercer
Great for outdoor dining
Mercer
Romantic
Mercer
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Nestled amidst the enchanting Grounds for Sculpture, Rats Restaurant offers a "magical" dining experience with its stunning ambiance reminiscent of a Monet painting. While the "beautiful" setting and "great cocktails" consistently impress, service and menu reliability can vary. It's a "unique" spot for special occasions, but reservations are essential.

8,528 Reviews

D
Donna
New York City
15 reviews
2.0
15 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The burgers were thin patties that were totally overcooked…twice
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ambiance is amazing especially by the bar and fireplace . The food was phenomenal even for a small lunch menu and fresh. Add some assortment of breads for each table and an olive oil dip instead of butter would be my only suggestion. Thanks for a wonderful time .
Is this helpful?
B
Beth
New Jersey
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We had a great server. Very attentive but not clingy. The artisanal cheese plate and octopus carpaccio were worth it. The burgers were decent. Overall, would recommend.
Is this helpful?
G
Geoff
New York City
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Sadly, Thanksgiving service at Rat's was wholly underwhelming for the "second sitting" folks who arrived after 6:30 p.m. with nearly half the menu out of stock. Never again.
1 person found this helpful
K
Kerry
New York City
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Awful experience! Had 6:15 reservation - wasn't seated until 7... And was immediately informed that MANY OF THE SELECTIONS WERE SOLD OUT! ON A prix fixe!! How is that possible with a price fixed menu ?? The limited menu selections were not available? So unacceptable and an awful experience overall. Couldn't even get dessert course since it was sold out!! This place is a joke. Stay away!!
Is this helpful?
C
Chet
New York City
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and service was great. Nice table in the bar area.
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P
PETER
Philadelphia
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was impressive, especially for a holiday pre-fixe. I try to reserve total judgment on restaurants when I dine on a holiday, but other than some sloppy service (which is expected on busy holiday seatings) it was a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back for a normal service meal.
Is this helpful?
P
Patricia
Philadelphia
22 reviews
vip
3.0
22 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We recently dined here for Thanksgiving and have mixed reviews. It was very crowded. We got a table near a cold, drafty door and we asked to be moved. They had no other seating except outside in a heated tent, which was warmer than the original table. So, we moved. The food was so-so. Having dined here many times before, we had high hopes but tasted more like mass-produced food than what we were accustomed to at Rat's. The stuffing and mashed potatoes lacked flavor, except for salt. That's all I could taste. The Brussel's spouts were flavorful but some so large and undercooked, we couldn't eat them. I loved the cranberry relish, but we were barely given any on our plates. I wouldn't recommend coming here for a prix fixe menu like this as the quality is just not as good. The noise level inside the restaurant was loud, so sitting out in the tent was a delight, as there was only one other table of diners out there. Service was good, very attentive.
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F
Frank
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Like eating real good food in a fairy tale setting.
Is this helpful?
K
Karl
Washington DC
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
There were seven of us for the prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner. It was a bargain! $70/pp for a four course and delicious meal. Four choices: traditional turkey, salmon, prime rib and vegetarian. All were terrific. Every course was fantastic and everyone was happy with their choices. A manager assisted the staff in keeping the service running smoothly. The entire staff was fantastic. The restaurant was completely booked and the way it is laid out in a series of small rooms, the noise level was low and the atmosphere intimate. I have been here several times for brunch, lunch and dinner and it is consistently fantastic.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture is rated 4.2 stars by 8528 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 58 times today

Google Map for Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture

16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Additional information

Cross Street
Sculpture Way
Area
Princeton
Hours of Operation
Lunch Thu–Sun 11:00–14:45 Dinner Thu–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary French
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Abundant parking is available in our private parking lot.
Public transit
Less than 3 miles from the Hamilton, NJ Amtrak/NJ Transit complex
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Jules Odum
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.ratsrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(609) 584-7800
Catering
Rat’s Restaurant and Ground For Sculpture offers a full complement of resources and services for a wide range of social, private, and corporate functions. So many events—from weddings and holiday parties to meetings & trade shows have been inspired by the unique interplay of nature and art. Only the unparalleled service and dedicated staff’s attention to detail rival the setting itself. Rat's provides award-winning menus for groups up to 200 with flexible space and tiered food and beverage packages that may be customized to your specific need and budget <br />
Private party facilities
When looking to host a memorable affair, Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture is the ultimate venue for a unique and elegant event. Whether planning a small wedding, intimate cocktail party, or corporate dinner, Rat’s private dining rooms, lounges, and outdoor spaces is just right!

Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture

Make a booking

Additional information

French Onion Soup

Octopus Carpaccio

Crème Brulée

Appetizers

ARTISANAL CHEESESUS$29.00

TRIO OF SPREADSUS$31.00

SOUP DU JOURUS$12.00

FRENCH ONION SOUPUS$15.00

HOUSE SMOKED PORK BELLYUS$22.00

BAKED BRIEUS$24.00

STEAMED MUSSELSUS$17.00

OCTOPUS CARPACCIOUS$23.00

STEAK TARTARUS$25.00

Sides

CHARRED BROCCOLINIUS$13.00

HAND CUT POTATO WEDGESUS$10.00

ROASTED CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMSUS$18.00

Entrees & Sandwiches

RAT'S CHEESEBURGERUS$20.00

TURKEY CROISSANTUS$19.00

FRENCH DIPUS$22.00

DAY BOAT CODUS$41.00

CHARRED BROCCOLIUS$24.00

Salads

RAT'S ROTISSERIE CHICKENUS$20.00

PLUM SALADUS$21.00

GRILLED CAESARUS$21.00

DUCK CONFIT SALADUS$26.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture restaurant rated?

Is Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information