Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta - New Menu Launch

Hard Rock Café Atlanta
Velvet Underground
(Additional Photos at bottom, including Shakira's pants)

Dan and I were lucky enough to be invited to a special Hard Rock Café Media Dinner to taste the new and improved lighter Hard Rock Café menu last week, and it was a really cool experience. Hard Rock is rolling out 12 new healthier menu options. We ate, drank, were merry, and we learned a lot. For instance, I didn’t know that there are 170 Hard Rock Cafés around the world!

The atmosphere in the Velvet Underground private room was luxury rock and roll, and the food was great! The Velvet Underground room is available for private parties and corporate events, and you can order from a banquet menu and request extras such as a potato bar or carving station. I loved the décor – lots of rich woods, red, and copper, with a gorgeous pink marble bathroom.



Dina, Jennifer, and Elise were our super sweet PR Diva hostesses at the party, and Chef Anna spoke to us about each course as it was served. The servers were all friendly, hip men and women, and took wonderful care of all of us. Meanwhile, the expert bartender Dimples mixed up delicious cocktails. We also met the new manager of the Hard Rock Café Gatlinburg, Trisha, and we watched a film about Hard Rock’s philanthropy, which is extensive.

I am impressed by Hard Rock’s commitment to “Love All, Serve All,” and by their new menu, and I have to say I love their swag! I have been to Hard Rock before – last time at a Librarian luncheon, where I got a very cool guitar keychain. I love their pins and shirts, bags, etc. We also got a 40th Anniversary pin since it’s been 40 years since the first Hard Rock Café was started by two Americans in London. I always have a good time there! I guess I am a rock & roll girl.

Here was our menu for the evening -

Cocktails – All of the drinks were expertly made. We had a Red Passion (The best!) and a Hurricane. You get to keep the glasses!


Hors D’Oeuvres

Bruschetta – Great bruschetta – ciabatta with tomatoes and shaved parm.

Crab Cakes – Wonderful! Served with an adorable tiny fork and fantastic dill sauce.

Smoked Salmon Crostini – Another lovely nosh with the amazing dill sauce.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Crisp, fresh wraps with mouth-pleasing peanut sauce.


Entrees

Anti-Cobb Salad – Light, fruit-topped salad with Balsamic Tangerine dressing.

Greek Salad – Nice version of the classic, and I love the classic!

Sliders – Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich, Legendary Burger, Legendary Turkey Burger

The sliders were all tasty – We liked them all, but my favorite was the Legendary Burger with candied bacon and a thick Vidalia onion ring. Dan’s favorite was the Grilled Mahi Mahi.

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Caper Sauce with Ratatouille
Tender chicken with spinach leaves, mushrooms, and Romano cheese. Very nice.

Grilled Chicken Marsala
Another tender, delicious chicken dish – loved the Marsala sauce.

Twisted Macaroni & Cheese
My favorite! I am a sucker for mac & cheese. This was a spicy take on the classic with cayenne and red bell pepper.


Desserts

Assortment of Mini Desserts: Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Cheesecake, Mixed Berries and Cream.

Yum, Yum, Yum, Yum, Yum! Need I say more? These were all scrumptious, and we cleaned the glasses even though we were stuffed. I think I liked the Chocolate Peanut Butter shot the best.

Thanks Hard Rock Staff! Hard Rock Café Atlanta Rules!

Photo Captions: Velvet Underground Private Room, Shakira's Pants, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich, Anti-Cobb Salad, Hard Rock Cafe Desserts