Frequently Asked Questions
- Are reservations required?
- Reservations are highly recommended. You may call Rover’s at 206-325-7442 or make your reservations online.
- What times do you accept reservations?
- Tuesday – Thursday 6:00PM-8:30PM
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00PM
Sunday: 5:00 – 9:00PM
- Where are you located?
- We are located 10 minutes from downtown. Our address is 2808 E. Madison, Seattle, WA 98112.
- Do you have a dress code?
- We do not have a formal dress code, but recommend business casual.
- Do you have limousine or car service?
- If you would like to book a limousine or town car, please contact Gary Bains, at Seattle Boss Limousine. Call 206.605.0496
- Do you have an a la carte menu?
- Yes, we offer a la Carte options on our menu every night for Dinner.
- Do you accommodate diners with dietary restrictions?
- Yes, with sufficient notice we can accommodate almost every dietary need. We have a 5 course vegetarian menu daily. A vegan menu is available with advance notice. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions when you make your reservations to dine with us.
- Do you have a corkage policy?
- As a courtesy to our guests we allow one bottle (750ml or smaller) that is not currently on our wine list or aging in our cellar, per reservation, to be brought into the restaurant. The corkage fee is $40.00. Our wine list is extensive, and features well over 500 labels. When making your reservation please let us know what bottle you will be bringing, and we’ll gladly check our wine list for you.
- Why am I asked for my credit card when I make a reservation?
- Because we are a small restaurant that accommodates only 17 tables, it is our policy to take a credit card number as a guarantee. If a reservation is not honored or has not been cancelled by 3:00 p.m. the day of your reservation a “No-Show” fee of $25.00 per person will be charged to your credit card.
- Do you have a private dining room?
- Yes, we do have a private dining room that accommodates up to 24 guests, and the entire restaurant can be dedicated to a private function for up to 66 guests. Learn more on our Private Events page.
- Will the Chef in the Hat cook at my house for a private party?
- Absolutely, please call us to discuss your event at 206-325-7442.
- Why is he called the Chef in the Hat?
- Chef Thierry’s wife, Kathy, gave him a fedora for Christmas one year. He wore the fedora everywhere. One evening in particular, Chef Thierry popped into the dining room to chat with a guest. Only when his guest exclaimed: “Look, it’s the Chef in the Hat!” did he realize that he forgot to take the hat off. Other guests overheard the comment, word spread, and the name stuck!
- How long has Rover’s been open?
- Chef Thierry Rautureau opened Rover’s in August 1987. Rover’s has been at the same location since.
- What is the chef’s favorite style of hat and what size does he wear?
- The Chef in the Hat prefers a Fedora style hat size 7 3/8. He also has several Fedoras and other styles of hats in his collection.
Why is the restaurant called Rover’s?
Old Rover was a country dog,
He led a single life;
He always said he’d rather not
Be troubled with a wife.
One day beneath the orchard trees
With his friend Don he sat;
And about “meets” and sporting news
They had a pleasant chat.
At last Squire Rover said, “I mean,
While you’re a guest of mine
To ask the neighbours to the Hall,
With you, friend Don, to dine.”
Don wagged his tail, and thanked his friend
With very great delight;
“And may I ask,” he, smiling, said,
“What guests you will invite?”
“Well, let me see: there’s Mr. Bull,
And Mrs. Bull, his wife;
Jane Bull, and Mr. Newfoundland,
Who saved young master’s life.
“For ladies-young and pretty too-
There are Italian pets,
Toy terriers, and Cuba belles,
Who live in first-rate sets.
“And as for sporting characters,
I really needn’t say
How many members of the hunt
Have kennels down this way.”
Said Don, “A very pleasant set!
It will be quite a treat
So many worthy dogs, dear friend,
At your kind feast to meet.”
The invitations were sent out,
And no one can decline
At Rover’s hospitable board
With his friend Don to dine.
A cordial welcome they are sure
At Rover’s house to find;
And dogs, like children, love to go
Where friends are always kind.
And now the happy day is come,
The guests are ushered in;
And Rover, very grandly drest,
His friends is welcoming.
First to arrive is Mr. Bull-
He seldom is too late,
Though for his wife, and daughter too,
Sometimes compelled to wait.
Next comes Miss Fanny, Dressed in silk,
A gold chain round her neck,
Her black eyes shining like two stars;
With flowers her head is decked.
And by her side a noble dog,
Bearing a glorious name;
From snowy mountains far away,
General St. Bernard came.
The guests have all at last arrived;
Then loudly sounds the gong,
And to the dining-room, in pairs,
They slowly moved along.
And soon were seated at the feast-
A dinner à la Russe-
The soup and fish were handed round
By footmen grand in plush.
While all the time they ate and talked,
Dessert, attention claimed;
And very pretty looked the fruit
In autumn flowers framed
“I hope,” said worthy Mr. Bull,
“You’ll not forget, dear host,
To keep our good old custom up,
And let us drink a toast.”
Dog rover nodded an assent,
And rising, said “I give
The health of our most gracious Queen,
Long may Victoria live!”
And thus the pleasant evening sped
(Too rapid in its flight),
Until the ladies (with warm thanks)
To Rover bade “Good Night.”
Then, gathered in the smoking-room
To talk all matters over,
The sporting dogs remained awhile
With “that good fellow” Rover.
How long they sat and all they said
I shall not stop to say;
But I have heard they left the house
Just at the break of day.
From a Northern Irish fable about a dinner party for animals thrown by Rover the dog.
