Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture

4.2

8538 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary French

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 4, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 23 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 am–2:45 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
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
Neighborhood
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 CHEESES$29.00
3 artisanal creamery cheeses, seasonal compote, roasted nuts, honeycomb, crostini (dairy, gluten, nuts)
TRIO OF SPREADS$31.00
garlic yogurt, red pepper hummus, eggplant caponata, with watermelon radish, cucumber, grilled naan (dairy, gluten)
SOUP DU JOUR$12.00
FRENCH ONION SOUP$15.00
baguette, croiton, thyme, gruyère (dairy, gluten)
HOUSE SMOKED PORK BELLY$22.00
calvados, phyllo, granny smith apples black truffle, cider cream vinaigrette (dairy, gluten)
BAKED BRIE$24.00
sour cherry, poulet pan frita, sourdough (dairy, gluten)
STEAMED MUSSELS$17.00
garlic, leek, creme fraiche, saffron (shellfish, dairy)
OCTOPUS CARPACCIO$23.00
calabrian caper vinaigrette, blood orange, chives (nightshade, allium)
STEAK TARTAR$25.00
purple mustard, sundried tomato, caper, shallot, hen egg, baguette (dairy, gluten)

Sides

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

Entrees & Sandwiches

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

Salads

RAT'S ROTISSERIE CHICKEN$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 SALAD$21.00
red dandelion, watercress, black plums, stracciatella, raspberry, pistachio, raspberry red wine vinaigrette (dairy, nuts)
GRILLED CAESAR$21.00
anchovy crumb, pecorino, black pepper, yuzu caesar dressing (dairy, gluten, fish)
DUCK CONFIT SALAD$26.00
frisee, haricot vert, humbolt fog, torn herbs, candied walnuts, crispy duck leg, whole grain mustard vinaigrette (dairy, nuts)
- grilled chicken$8.00
- shrimp$10.00
- steak$13.00

What 8,538 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 Ambiance
Mercer
Great for brunch
Mercer
Great for outdoor dining
Mercer
Romantic
Mercer
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Rats Restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture offers a "magical ambience" with lush gardens and serene pond views. While some dishes like the duck a l'orange and mussels are "exquisite," portions can be small and prices high. Service varies from "excellent" to needing improvement, but the enchanting setting remains a consistent highlight.

8,538 Reviews

R
Robert
Miami
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Good ambience. Decent service. The food is mediocre. Is not worth the time or the money.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
The lovely atmosphere was marred by poor service and an unimpressive menu. The staff did try to accommodate the issues but considering the costs, it was not worth it.
1 person found this helpful
A
Alix
Naples
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
For a unique and delicious dining experience I would highly recommend eating at Rat's. The service and personnel were excellent. The decor is cozy and during the summer they have a beautiful area to sit outside.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The waiter, Brian, was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was delicious and as always the surroundings were beautiful. Rats is a favorite!
Is this helpful?
B
Brian
Philadelphia
2 reviews
vip
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great service. Food was tasteless, poorly constructed, and.not in line with menu descriptions.
1 person found this helpful
M
Mindy
New York City
63 reviews
vip
3.0
63 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
We waited a while for lunch table even though tables were free. The food was okay, the waiter was pleasant but busy Nothing special
Is this helpful?
MV
MichaelV
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent as always! I have yet to have a negative experience at Rats (and I’ve been dining here for over 14 years now). Amazing & memorable each time.
Is this helpful?
M
Marie
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A very brisk cold day but perfect for french onion soup which was delicious! Highly recommend! Great service too!
Is this helpful?
M
Margaret ann
Philadelphia
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I was very disappointed with Rats , the food came out lukewarm and nothing special about it. We had an early lunch and it cost $62 per person! I would think for that price we should have been impressed.
1 person found this helpful
D
Donna
New York City
15 reviews
2.0
15 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The burgers were thin patties that were totally overcooked…twice
1 person found this helpful

FAQs

Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture is rated 4.2 stars by 8538 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 4, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 23 times today

Google Map for Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture

16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Additional information

Cross street
Sculpture Way
Neighborhood
Princeton
Hours of operation
Lunch Thu–Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
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 reservation

Additional information

French Onion Soup

Octopus Carpaccio

Crème Brulée

Appetizers

ARTISANAL CHEESES$29.00

TRIO OF SPREADS$31.00

SOUP DU JOUR$12.00

FRENCH ONION SOUP$15.00

HOUSE SMOKED PORK BELLY$22.00

BAKED BRIE$24.00

STEAMED MUSSELS$17.00

OCTOPUS CARPACCIO$23.00

STEAK TARTAR$25.00

Sides

CHARRED BROCCOLINI$13.00

HAND CUT POTATO WEDGES$10.00

ROASTED CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS$18.00

Entrees & Sandwiches

RAT'S CHEESEBURGER$20.00

TURKEY CROISSANT$19.00

FRENCH DIP$22.00

DAY BOAT COD$41.00

CHARRED BROCCOLI$24.00

Salads

RAT'S ROTISSERIE CHICKEN$20.00

PLUM SALAD$21.00

GRILLED CAESAR$21.00

DUCK CONFIT SALAD$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 reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information