RAT'S.........Part One.
As you approach the road to the restaurant this is one of the first things you
see telling you that things are going to get Wacky....
And then you look to see what These People are pointing at ..........
And then you look to see what These People are pointing at ..........At first you think they are
Real.....
But they aren't......
And then you see this.....
And your first reaction is.....Oh My that's BIG........
And then you stop.....you get out of the car.......And you see what Big is.....
It's not just BIG.......It's HUGE.....And you know you are getting closer to
and
Rat's Restaurant
in Hamilton New Jersey......
We were just up in Jersey for me and daughter's birthday celebrationand an impromptu re-visit to Martha's Vineyard
compliments of the Winnetue Resort as a peace offering for the
tick infested time we had over the summer....
So we had a few days in Jersey before leaving for the island and the Boss treated us
to a Birthday Lunch at
Rat's.....
For those of you that watch Top Chef it's the home of this years winner Kevin Sbraga
This is what greets you from the parking lot.....
Founded in 1992 by John Seward Johnson IIHe is the Grandson of Robert Wood Johnson
the Co-Founder of Johnson and Johnson....
An American Artist who is known for painted bronze statues....
The Garden and restaurant sits in an industrial part of the Garden State and if you ever get the chance
to visit it will not disappoint.....
You enter through what looks like a Gypsy Caravan....
Very Wacky indeed....
Inside it looks like your somewhere in France.....
How pretty are these dishes.....
I was thinking how I could get one in my purse......But the Fam nudged me right along to our table out on the patio....
Where we ate Croque Monsieur...
And Steak Frites.....
enjoying beautiful weather......
and friendly fowl......
And someone with hair just like mine!!
But the ambiance was Frenchtastic!!
After lunch we toured the gardens......
From Crazy......
To Classy.....
To a Cutie......
Showing her Grandma down the garden path.....
To a make believe picnic in the woods....
Complete with Fake Flowers and artificial Wine.....
a naked lady.....
To a little girl who told the man that she really liked
Where we ate Croque Monsieur...
And Steak Frites.....
enjoying beautiful weather......
and friendly fowl......
And someone with hair just like mine!!
But the ambiance was Frenchtastic!!A replica of Monet's Garden in Giverney.....
I have been to the real thing and I have to say they did a fabulous job of
re-creating it....
After lunch we toured the gardens...... 
From Crazy......
To Classy.....
To a Cutie......
Showing her Grandma down the garden path.....
To a make believe picnic in the woods....
Complete with Fake Flowers and artificial Wine.....
a naked lady.....
To a little girl who told the man that she really likedHis Hat.....
We wandered and wandered and around every corner was another
piece of Wimsey that even this Grandmother was
surprised to see.....
Please stop back and see part two of
The Grounds for Sculpture.....
where you ask yourself....
"Is it real or is it Memorex?"
Comments
Hugs,
Penny
I have a really bizarre question to ask a Jersey Girl. Many, many years ago when I was in college...we are talking the early 70s...egads...I went to a huge diner somewhere right off either the Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State (somewhere near Cherry Hill, I think). They had this impossibly delicious strawberry shortcake about 6" high. I have been wracking my brain trying to remember the name of it...possibly Isabelles. Can you help? Talk about a challenge, huh?
Thanks,
Janet
The Sculpture Garden is not far from where my older daughter went to college, and there are some very funny pictures of Alida and her friends acting out amongst the sculptures.
Your grandbabe is so adorable!
We're going to have to ferret out Rat's next time we're down that way. Sounds good, and LOOKS gorgeous!
From another NJ girl --- Cass
Fun pictures for sure!
The plates are so pretty as is you gdau!
How come that lady was naked between two men? Not fair.
The plates especially the blue one was gorgeous.
The food and garden looked terrific but the name Rat's is funny.
Glad you had sich a great time.
Love,
sandie
XO,
Sheila :-)
♥, Susan
I LOVE those dishes!
Ms S is getting so big!
Dishes are VERY pretty, but I don't know how they'd look with food on them. That food looks pretty darned fabulous though.
Leading Grandma down the garden path. . . LOL! Not the last time THAT'S gonna happen!
Ellen
Your trip was just heavenly...next time you need to take me. : )
Love,
Sue