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About
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Press
The Kitchen
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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!

cocktail prosecco campari grapefruit
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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.

The Bar

Ithaca's tastiest hidden gem
YOUR ELEVATED COMFORT FOOD AND COCKTAIL FIX (and outdoor dining Hack)

Private Events

We have a soft spot for critics who enjoy a feast and are suckers for free press...

Rumor
in the roost

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Buffet Party

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.

Wine Toast
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PICNIC
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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.

NYE/MERCH
GET IN TOUCH
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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 UniversityIthaca 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.

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