As summer approaches the desire for a new fare for taste palate arises in the hearts of Metro Detroiters and here to answer the call is Hard Rock Café’s newly redesigned menu. The menu launched nationwide back in late March and I was excited to be invited down for a private taste test.
Although the entire menu was surveyed by over 3,000 guests, I wasn’t so sure if Hard Rock, which I previously just viewed as an ordinary everyday American fare restaurant would stand the test to my picky palate.
According to Fred Thimm, Chief Operating Officer uf Company Cafes for Hard Rock International, “Our food and beverage team has worked tirelessly over the last 14 months, evaluating every item on our menu from appetizers and entrees, to desserts and cocktails – even our china and glassware”
With all the hype it was time to do a real taste test, my lovely hosts, Mary Courie, Sales and Marketing Manager, along with Diana Christensen and Aimee Spencer guided me through the new menu.
We began with the Red Berry Press, Hard Rock’s unique, sweet fruit cocktail made with fresh hulled and sliced strawberries, fresh raspberries, lemonade, lemon-lime soda and Clementine Vodka, garnished with lemon wedge and served in a coffee-press style vessel that infuse fruit into the cocktail throughout the drinking process.
This was followed by the newly added, Twist and Shout, a drink with a focus on sweet and savory combined. Served in a tall milkshake glass consisting of Guinness Draught Beer, Bacardi Oak Heart Spiced Rum, Dark Crème De Cacao, Chocolate Syrup, Moni Salted Caramel Syrup blended with Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream and topped with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate and Hard Rock’s signature applewood bacon. Yes, I said bacon.
After these two indulgences, I had already decided to make Hard Rock a main stay in my summer date nights, and that is when the appetizers, salads and main courses began to arrive.
From the savory Spinach and Artichoke dip to the new Grilled Chicken Arugula Salad topped with a light and refreshing lemon basil dressing, I knew this will personally be my new favorite.
Although Hard Rock added items in each menu category to give guests the widest variety of options, they did keep some mainstays, an oldie but a goodie is the Twisted Macaroni & Cheese that has a combination of cheeses, hot sauce and topped with Grilled Chicken.
“We took a hard look at every single menu items and aimed to modify where needed, including added ingredients, sauces, how sides accompany the main dishes, and even what type of lettuce should appear on top of our Legendary Burgers, said Russell Booth, Hard Rock International Executive Chef.
If you are still hungry for something a little heartier than cocktails and appetizers hang around for the slow-cooked beef brisket topped with hickory barbecue sauce and crispy onions on grilled sourdough bread.
If you are a vegetarian at this point you may be feeling left out, but don’t fret, one of the awesome things about Hard Rock’s new menu they took every palette into consideration. Their Grilled Vegetable Sandwich that is marinated with grilled Portobello mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, roasted red peppers and grilled asparagus, topped with Monterey Jack cheese and balsamic glaze will make a meat-atarian like me stop in my tracks for a bite.
The last stop on our tasting flight was dessert, with three new desserts (House-made Carrot Cake, Molten Lava Cake and Cheesecake with Oreo Cookie Pieces) it’s a sweet lovers heaven.
Hard Rock Café’s new and improved menu features Hard Rock’s hand-crafted American fare that rocks, with a commitment to fresh ingredients and the signature flair that guest can only get at hard rock. For more information about Hard Rock Café and the new menu, visit www. HardRock.com
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