Rat's Menu

Rat's Restaurant Review:

Located in the heart of the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, on the outskirts of Princeton, Rat's is a celebration of the arts---food arts and fine arts. The unusual name comes from the rakish character in The Wind in the Willows, and the vibrant décor has matching shades of storybook whimsy. But the atmosphere is primarily that of an elegant country French château. Exit the restaurant to tour the grounds, and you step straight into a Claude Monet canvas. Allow time to eat and time to explore. Now managed by the Stephen Starr group, Rat’s offers a menu that changes seasonally and showcases organic produce. Executive chef Shane Cash overseas the restaurant that spotlights regional ingredients such as Griggstown chicken with fava beans, pancetta, olives and spaghetti squash. Polished, genteel servers are well versed in the menu offerings as well as the wine list, which features 900-plus bottles to suit virtually any palate and purse. A separate reserve list focuses largely on fine Bordeaux, including the coveted 1945 Château Margaux, priced at a mere $15,000.