Display and change ratings in iTunes Mini Player
The new iTunes 11 Mini Player has the option to view and change the ratings. In the Mini Player, hover over the player to show the controls instead of the title of the currently playing song. Then click the small arrow pointing to the right - not the forward control, but the one on the left of the player, next to the album artwork. It will open a menu, where the top entry is the current rating, allowing you to both view and change the rating. Exactly what I was looking for.