Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds For Sculpture – Hamilton, NJ
Chef Ed Crochet oversees Rat’s, a French-focused restaurant famous for its unique setting within the 42-acre Grounds for Sculpture park. We REALLY enjoyed our visit to Grounds for Sculpture and anyone looking for a nice day outdoors and some cool art indoors as well should visit. The restaurant, Rat’s was conceptually designed to be reminiscent of Claude Monet’s beloved Giverny by sculptor Seward Johnson. It is named after the gregarious character “Ratty,” from Kenneth Grahame’s famed children’s story, The Wind in the Willows. The restaurant patio, noted for its sweeping views and al fresco dining, overlooks a lily pond framed by weeping willows, and the “Monet bridge.”
We had a fabulous meal here. Things started out with their seasonal lemonade which during our visit was Blueberry Lemonade.
Then things got started with a delicious appetizer of CHARRED WAGYU BEEF with Porcini, Mustard Greens, Rye Crouton that just melted in our mouths.
To follow-up that tasty treat was an even tastier morsel of FRENCH ONION SOUP with Croûton, Gruyère that was one of the better versions I have had in a long time.
Ending the meal was their COQ AU RIESLING with Griggstown Chicken, Bacon Lardon, Oyster Mushroom, Cippolini Onion, Pommes Pureé that was AWESOME. Every bite was more flavorful than the next and was cooked perfectly. I would definitely drive all the way up here again just to dine at Rat’s, but making a day of it combined with Grounds for Sculpture made it a day to be remembered and enjoyed by all in the party. It’s a great time topped by a great meal!
