SUMMER MENU SERIES: HARD ROCK CAFE

Even though we are in the midst of summer, Hard Rock Café continues to tweak their summer menu, making sure to surprise foodies with bursts of flavor, freshness and “kick” for the adventuresome.  Everything from starters to desserts and even cocktails have been redesigned with the addition of 30 new items and modification of 28 existing items. Did you know they make all of their food from scratch? With Hard Rock’s commitment to quality the menu is sure to please.

The Bites

• The Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta is an explosion of flavors in every bite. Toasted artisan bread topped with herb cream cheese, marinated Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, served with a drizzle of basil oil and shaved Parmesan cheese. One taste of this flooded my head with memories of my visit to Italy and my days at a cooking class held in a Tuscan villa.
• Reformulating their famous Jumbo Chicken Wings, they are now Rockin’ Wings that come in several flavors, from Buffalo style with Classic Rock, Tangy or Heavy Metal sauces (hotness lovers beware). The wings have a 10 spice rub and are smoked 3 hours at a low temp to maintain juiciness. Only after all that are the sauces added. Pair this with an ale from a local brewery such as Four Peaks and you can’t go wrong.

• Three new salads are Grilled Chicken Chop Salad, Cobb Salad and my favorite, the Grilled Chicken Arugula Salad. Baby arugula, thinly sliced grilled chicken, spicy pecans, dried cranberries and fresh oranges tossed in a lemon balsamic vinaigrette, then topped with crumbled feta cheese. The light peppery flavor of the arugula mixed with the sweetness of the cranberries and oranges, the crunch of the pecans with the delicate vinaigrette and tanginess of the feta is summer in a bowl.
• Burgers, a staple on the menu, weren’t overlooked in the menu redesign. Picture testing 27 types of buns, narrowing it down to brioche, then trying 17 brioche buns before picking the winner. Talk about commitment! Now add fixins’ for the Fiesta Burger (roasted jalapeno salsa, melted Jack cheese, freshly made guac, pico de gallo, crisp lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes) or the Tango Burger (two single patties layered with Sloppy-Joe, American and Jack cheeses, tangy barbecue sauce and finished with blue cheese and horseradish mayo) and lip smacking will be the only sound at the table while indulging.
• Another core item is their smokehouse fare. No one can go wrong with Hickory-smoked BBQ Chicken & Ribs Combo or their new Smoked Beef Brisket sandwich. The smokehouse is a Hard Rock labor of love with the brisket smoking 14 hours overnight to ensure to right amount of smokiness.

• Let’s not forget desserts. Fresh Apple Cobbler served warm with vanilla ice cream, topped with walnuts and caramel sauce melts in your mouth. Talk about nostalgia as you are drawn back to your grandmother’s or your mother’s kitchen, smelling the spices mixing with the apples, all the while your mouth watering for that first bite.  The Hot Fudge Brownie is more a moist cake with the perfect amount of chocolate, fudge, ice cream, walnuts, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and don’t forget the cherry. A new item, their cheesecake made with oreo pieces takes TWO days to make. Who knew? For all you NY-style cheesecake lovers, drop on by to sample this decadence.

The Booze

Now we’re talking.

• How about the Magical Mystery Mojito to start off your experience? A twist on a mojito made with Hendrick’s gin, ST. GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur, muddled with lime juice, mint and Monin Cucumber. What a delicate splash of coolness in 100 plus degree summer heat; truly refreshing with the right mixture of ingredients for a great summer drink.
• Keep your kids away from this one as it’s for adults only! The Twist and Shout Shake is a divine achievement. BACARDI OakHeart Spiced Rum, Guinness, DeKuyper Dark Crème de Cacao, chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and Monin Salted Caramel. Topped with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate syrup and …wait for it…BACON!! It comes in a 16 oz. glass and don’t turn your back on it as someone (“no kids, Mommy is serious”) will want to grab it.

• Try Air Mexico without getting on a plane. A flight with a sample of 3 Hard Rock classic margaritas flavors, including wildberry, pomegranate, watermelon, blue curacao, mango or cucumber. All are made with AVION tequila and Cointreau Orange Liqueur. Also included in the flight is a personal-sized portion of chips & salsa.
• Another spirited summer concoction is the Red Berry Press. It’s pressed table-side in a coffee-press style vessel with homemade lemonade, SVEDKA Clementine Vodka, fresh lemons, strawberries and raspberries. It just gets better as the ingredients co-mingle. You’ll want more than one.

The Bucks

Prices vary based on your selections.

Celebrate Hard Rock Cafe’s 43rd birthday and their summer menu by visiting the only Hard Rock in Arizona. It’s located at 3 South 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ. Phone: 602.261.7625.  The perfect place to visit before or after festivities at the US Airway Center, Chase Field or any other fun thing to do downtown.

*This meal was provided to us complimentary as a part of a media invitation. However, this has no effect on our opinions and comments regarding our experience. View our Disclosure Policy for further explanation.