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: 4.3

4.3

7536 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary French

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 28, 2023

11:30 PM

Booked 82 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary French
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–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 Odem
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
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 7,536 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.7Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New Jersey - Central
Great for outdoor dining
New Jersey - Central
Most Booked

7,536 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
French Dip and burger were really good. Male hostess could of been a little more pleasant
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PM
PatriciaM
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went for a birthday luncheon. We were seated at the time of our reservation. Food was a delight and the candle on the dessert plate was a nice touch! Hope to see you next year or sooner!
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DD
DotD
Philadelphia
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall3food2service5ambience5
Rats did not have favorite steak available even though listed on the menu. One meal was duck a la orange which did not resemble the classic version and was terrible. The waitress said the cook highly recommended rare duck - I asked for it very to be very warm based upon her insistence, but it was raw. No orangy sauce on top no crispy skin. Another meal of scallops was served them crispy outside but cool and mushy inside. The restaurant was empty. Service was a bit too fast with appetizers whisked away to immediately serve the main courses. One "cake" listed on the menu was actually flourless cake, not a favorite. Service was good. Wine was good. The onion soup was excellent. The room was quiet, because the restaurant was basically empty. Not a welcoming environment.
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a
andrer
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience4
The food was very good but the server could have been more attentive. And it was louder than I expected in the restaurant.
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l
lorraine
New York Area
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall2food1service1ambience3
Used to be a great restaurant but not anymore. Went with 8 people and No one had a great meal. The food was totally tasteless and the service did not match the prices. I dont mind paying high prices for good food but this was not the case for us. Even the cocktails were not great. A bowl of berries for my grandson consisted of 2 strawberries sliced up in little tiny bowl. Very very disappointed.
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R
Ruggs
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service! Caught a rainy day reservation and the enclosed heated outdoor space was an excellent plan B! Not a big menu and the benefit is all the entrees are top notch!
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JZ
JeffreyZ
Philadelphia
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall3food2service4ambience4
Food ( Duck) was overcooked and cold. Sauce bland..
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RC
ReneeC
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The maitre d was absolutely wonderful, professional and made us feel very welcome.
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BP
BunniP
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
I just loved everything about Rats Restaurant! The food and service was outstanding. I liked the idea of how open and free the guests are to walk around the grounds. After lunch and exploring the grounds, we went back to the bar for drinks. I highly recommend a visit!
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l
lindas
New York Area
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Lovely lunch to end a lovely walk through the beautiful grounds
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p
pattig
Philadelphia
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful afternoon spent at GFS and Rats where every. Part of the meal experience is beautiful!!!
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BB
BrianB
Philadelphia
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience2
We had a nice table on the patio however the chairs we not very comfortable and there was a slight stench from the pond.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall4food4service1ambience5
Beautiful restaurant, great location, food was lovely. Service very, very slow. Not sure the issue but we ran out of time for dessert then waited half an hour for our check anyway. There for over two hours and had to chase someone down to order drinks, get water, try to get dessert, get check, pay check…
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TR
TRay
Atlanta Metro
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an excellent dinner at Rat’s! We spent the afternoon in the Gardens for Sculpture and booked an early dinner. The restaurant is really charming, inside and out! Drinks were excellent, and the food was top-notch. It’s the first time we visited and dined, but it definitely won’t be our last.
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JM
JoeM
New York Area
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful day at the sculpture garden topped off by an excellent meal at Rat’s! Food and service was top notch in a picture perfect outdoor setting with the Monet Bridge in the background. We’ll done all around.
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K
Kobby
Philadelphia
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience4
My request for quiet comfy table was gratefully considered. Attentive host provided an excellent special seating. Unfortunately, our lunch order took an unusually long time. Great environment but very slow kitchen service for our simple salad and turkey croissant order. Will not return for lunch.
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P
Patsy1
New York Area
57 reviews
vip
4.0
57 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
Great service, beautiful setting and delicious burger. Only got 3 wedges on the side. My friend got a salad and added chicken since the Griggstown chicken salad was out. She said the salad was good but her chicken was dry.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great little restaurant. Ambiance hard to beat. Service very good. Food delicious.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a lovely day and my party went from 6 to 7 . Wanting to be outside , we were accommodated on the patio . The food was delicious and we had a great time . Soup and sandwich was ordered and sandwich wasn’t brought out with the rest of the entrees and was eventually cancelled. I think our waitress was new . She seemed to try hard .
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H
Hillaryb
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had the pleasure of dining at Rat's Restaurant recently, and it was an experience worth sharing. If you're planning a visit, I highly recommend securing outdoor seating in advance; it's a hot commodity for good reason. Overlooking the sprawling koi pond, with the delightful addition of wild ducks, the ambiance here is simply enchanting. You might even catch a glimpse of the mysterious "lady in red" who graces the pond. Now, let's talk about the food. The seasonal menu at Rat's is a delightful culinary journey. I couldn't resist starting with the French Onion Soup, which was a bowl of rich, flavorful comfort. Paired with fresh bread and garlic herb butter, it set the tone for the rest of the meal. I won't sugarcoat it; Rat's Restaurant is on the pricey side. However, the quality of the food and the unbeatable atmosphere make every penny worthwhile. It truly is a hidden gem, a place where you can savor both exceptional cuisine and a unique dining environment. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience, don't miss out on Rat's.
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DG
DiaG
Philadelphia
6 reviews
1.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2023
overall1food2service1ambience5
Food was mediocre, not worth the price. So many other French restaurants that are much better than this. Waiter was extremely inexperienced or they were short staffed. Husband had do flag him down several times during our meal, as he never approached us to check on us. Will not be coming back ever.
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CM
CapeMay
Philadelphia
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I went to Rats to celebrate our 18th anniversary. Everything was perfect as expected. We sat outside on the patio over looking the pond and it was very enjoyable. The only suggestion I would have is that there should be seat cushions available. The hard, cold metal seats are not comfy but ambiance is prime. Our waitress was very attentive and answered all of our menu questions wisely. I really love this place and will be back. Thank you for another wonderful dining experience.
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SK
ScarlettK
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My second time visiting this nice place. Service and food were excellent
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F
Foodie333
New York Area
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall3food5service1ambience2
As always, the food at Rats was great. Small portions and expensive, but delicious. Ambiance/noise was ok. The management may want a suggested dress code, as some people are celebrating a special occasion and are dressed nicely, while others are wearing old jeans and flannel. The service over the years is definitely hit or miss. Our waitress was definitely a miss. We couldn’t find her on several occasions, had to get up and flag her down in another room in order to get water glasses refilled. In order to pay the bill, my husband had to go downstairs to the hostess desk. These are basic functions of the job. Our particular room only had 5-6 tables. Hoping for better service next time or may not return.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Everything was very tasty however to have only 5 desert selections and 2 not available for an early seating was disappointing. Love the ambience as we were able to sit outside , and service was very good . Will return soon .
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LK
LydiaK
Orlando
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Overall the dining experience was quite good. It was very crowded so obviously folks like this place. The food was great. Server was so nice and was working hard. Short ribs, scallops were very good. Short ribs were so tender and meaty and the scallops were nicely caramelized. Despite the number of people in the restaurant there was no delay in service. They were out of a few selections of appetizers and dessert and we had reservations at 515 on Saturday. That was a little disappointing. There were some very loud folks on the outside patio which made it hard to converse where we were seated but hey it’s a Saturday night. Would we come back ? Absolutely.
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JH
JohnH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great setting, excellent food, wonderful service. I can't believe it's taken us this long to visit.
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MM
MissyM
Philadelphia
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Reservations a must. The high activity this visit affected the on spot service I have become accustomed to, however the server was polite and efficient.
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AP
AnnoyedPatron
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
The server was terrible. We needed other waiters/waitresses to bring us our bread and soda refills. She never checked in. We ordered our food and waited an entire hour with no sign of our food. We watched at least 9 nearby tables be seated after us, eat and pay while we just sat there. Another table experienced this same issue. Our waitress never once came to explain the situation to our table, we had to overhear the excuse when the other table complained. When we decided to leave the manager refused to address the issue, instead dismissing us and walking away. He did not seek to rectify the issue nor did he even apologize. I would wager the sole reason for rat’s success is its proximity to the garden as the food appeared mediocre and the prices were outrageous.
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BL
BradL
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
This is the fourth time I’ve been to Rats and I find the food and choice of wines to be excellent. My only complaint about yesterday is that I had a reservation for 115 and had to remind the people at the front desk four — yes, four — times that I had a reservation for 115. We didn’t get seated until about 135. Yes, I realize Saturdays are busy but if you can’t seat your customers relatively promptly, don’t overbook.
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MC
MarciaC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience5
I was disappointed with my lunch selection which was a turkey croissant sandwich. It really didn’t have much flavor and the croissant was dense and not light and fluffy. My grandson had the mussels which were good but I was expecting mussels with a white wine or belgium beer sauce. Instead it was a red sauce. I feel like it was more of an Italian flare. My granddaughter had the charcuterie board which was excellent. My husband had the prime meat french dip. He said it was very good. Loved the atmosphere and service. Overall a good experience but a little pricey.
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MM
MimiM
New York Area
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall3food3service1ambience5
Rat’s has lost its flair for food. Lunch menu was ho-hum. Food was good, not great. My salad came without a main ingredient listed (blue cheese) and had little to no dressing. Staff seemed busy and overworked: waitress did not check if all was ok with our order and first course had not been cleared when second course came. A very eager and accommodating manager did check on how meal was going, though, and corrected an issue. However, the setting is priceless, so I would still return.
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DR
DanielR
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Rats has an excellent reputation for a reason. Good, service, and environment were perfect. I look forward to my next visit.
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T
Travelgrl
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always good food & service. Great outdoor area we love walking the grounds and stopping to eat at the restaurant.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We will keep coming back over and over again! This is one of our favorite places
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service in an amazing setting. One of our favorite places to dine!
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JS
JeffS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful meal in a beautiful location, have never been disappointed.
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PR
PamelaR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
If you go during nice weather, you must sit outside. Beautiful setting. Chef Janelle is amazing!
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s
susang
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant, delicious food and excellent service. Looking forward to coming back again soon.
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G
Gail
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
I always love eating at Rats. The food is always creative and carefully served. The staff is always friendly and efficient. I sometimes find the menu wanting as I am a vegetarian (sometimes I eat fish) and the there are not always great offerings for my diet. That said I can find something that may need a little tweaking which they will happily do.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture is rated 4.3 stars by 7536 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 28, 2023

11:30 PM

Booked 82 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 Wed–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
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 Odem
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, 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

Popular dishes

Chicken Salad

Turkey Croissant

French Dip Sandwich

Menu

What 7,536 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

How is Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture restaurant rated?

Is Rats Restaurant - Grounds for Sculpture currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information