Ithaca, New york
The kitchen.
The Rook is a little restaurant serving up big flavor. Under the guide of the highly-regarded, yet alarmingly under-spoken, Owner/Executive Chef Gentry Morris (aka Uncle G), our menagerie of talented kitchen pirates dish out reimagined comfort classics like nobodies' business.
DID SOMEONE SAY butcher's best?
duck fat FRIED CHICKEN
SALADS with heart
hush PUPPIES
HANDMADE cavatelli
bacon wrapped DATES
UNCLE G'S pork schnitzel
classic BURGER
SMALL plates
cheese PLEASE
LET THEM EAT (homemade) cake
chef's SALMON
CHOCOLATE mousse
Just like any great restaurant should, The Rook satisfies that itch, that craving for the perfect drink and the pleasure of comfort food.
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Join us for full-service dining, cocktail bar and carry-out services, or your groups next private special event!
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Special thanks to our valued customers and devoted friends who have supported us over the last eight years on the west end!
We are pleased to announce we will be moving in summer of 2024 to our new location at Library Place (at the intersection of Cayuga and Court, downtown). We ask that you continue to be patient with us, after all, we are just a bunch of kitchen pirates making another big pivot!
THE BAR.
Third generation barman, Executive Beverage Manager Manny Flores, came up in NYC during the peak of the cocktail resurgence. He learned his craft and hospitality during his years at the Waldorf Astoria, Gramercy Tavern & Bar Veloce. He's one of the area's favorite story-telling, barmen (anyway, we like him a lot , and you will too).
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Joined by veteran bar-wingman, fur-mom, and designer, Jonni Campbell, these two are serving up cocktails with a sense of humor and a touch of tradition
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Don't let the titles "bartender" or "mixologist" fool you, they are just a couple of misguided kitchen pirates, floating along with our well-seasoned front-of-house service crew.
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Why campari? Is gin in?
Fernet about it.
Ithaca's tastiest hidden gem
YOUR ELEVATED COMFORT FOOD AND COCKTAIL FIX (and outdoor dining Hack)
We have a soft spot for critics who enjoy a feast and are suckers for free press...
Rumor
in the roost
PRIVATE
EVENTS
Rent the entire restaurant for your next special event.
Now offering full-service facility rentals to elevate your next holiday dinner, wedding or corporate meeting or affinity group or celebration event.
elevated casual
FOOD AND DRINK
The Rook is now offering full-service, elevated-casual dining and bar service. Seating is available on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis.
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Sorry, but we are unable to accept reservations at this time.
Once we are at capacity we will begin a waitlist for present guests (i.e. your party needs to physically be there to be seated or get placed on the wait list).
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Please call to place takeout orders.
**Space is limited/first-come-first-serve; We will let you know if there is more than a 30 minute wait
**Valid ID required for all alcohol purchases
**Outdoor seating is dog-friendly; furry friends/family-members MUST be leashed & well-behaved. We have water bowls and a resident dog whisperer, just ask!
**Takeout orders are subject to a 15% gratuity to ensure the livelihoods of our staff.
LOCATION & HOURS
404 West State St,
ITHACA, NY 14850
OPEN Tues-SAT
5pm till 9:45pm
The Rook is located (just beyond) the heart of downtown Ithaca, convenient to the Ithaca Commons, Cornell University, Ithaca College and the beautiful finger lakes region.
Now offering full-service indoor & outdoor chef-driven dining options and cocktail bar, plus private and special events.
