This is my second visit to Hard Rock Cafe in Batu Ferringhi this month. Attached to Hard Rock Hotel, the newly renovated restaurant retains its signature rock and roll theme. Beneath the iconic chandelier is a stage where a live band performs every evening. Of course, music memorabilia remain the focal point of Hard Rock Cafe.
Moving upstairs, the mezzanine floor has several dome-shaped dining booths that can accommodate around 5 people each. To present a more vibrant atmosphere, the walls have been changed from maroon to blue. Meanwhile, the wooden floor now takes a lighter tone.
More than 20 new dishes and drinks have been included in Hard Rock Cafe’s new menu. To the right is Hurricane (RM48.00), a rum-based cocktail blended with grenadine, amaretto and fruit juices. Next to it is Rock House Rum Punch (RM48.00), which I had the pleasure of sampling during my previous visit.
Rhythm & Rosé Mule (RM60.00) is concocted from vodka, rosé, spicy ginger beer and fruit juice. Like the Moscow Mule, the beverage is presented in a copper mug. Next, Blackberry Sparkling Sangria (RM40.00) is a blend of red wine, blackberry juice, sparkling wine and a squeeze of orange. Last but not least, Strawberry Basil Lemonade (RM31.00) is a non-alcoholic lemonade drink infused with strawberries and fresh basil.
Wings (RM37.00) come in two flavors: classic Buffalo-style wing sauce and sweet-and-savory barbecue sauce. The former has a sharper taste that goes better with beer, while the latter is more pleasant to most palates. Each serving comes with julienned carrots, fresh celery and blue cheese dressing.
Southwest Spring Rolls (RM28.00) is well received too. Crispy Tex-Mex rolls are filled with black beans, corn, cheese, capsicum and jalapeño peppers. Guacamole ranch serves as the dipping sauce.
My favorite appetizer this evening is One Night In Bangkok Spicy Shrimp (RM35.00). Coated with Thai-style spicy sauce, the fried prawns have a creamy mouthfeel that is truly gratifying. This appetizer is served over crunchy coleslaw, and is garnished with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger (RM61.00) is humongous burger with an 8-oz Angus beef patty, turkey bacon, shoestring onions and cheese. Like all burgers, it comes with a generous serving of steak fries. As for customers who do not take beef, the patty can be substituted with chicken breast at no extra cost.
Today’s main highlight is the 24-Karat Gold Leaf Steak Burger (RM88.00). An alluring gold leaf, which is absolutely edible, is laid on the beef patty. This burger is earmarked for a charitable cause: For every order of 24-Karat Gold Leaf Steak Burger, RM4.00 of the proceeds is donated to YMCA Penang to help fund a music studio for talented youths.
I am also impressed by the BBQ Pulled Lamb Sandwich (RM48.00). The smoked lamb is elegantly seasoned with Hard Rock’s signature barbecue sauce, making the burger is succulent to the last morsel. BBQ Pulled Lamb Sandwich comes with refried beans and coleslaw on the side.
Fresh Beet Side Salad (RM32.00) is a hearty mix of beetroots, baby spinach, frisée, oranges, feta cheese and toasted pumpkin seeds. The salad is dressed with lemon vinaigrette for an acidic note.
I cannot recommend Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake (RM53.00) highly enough. The emulsion is prepared from vanilla ice cream and strawberry cheesecake, and then spiked with vanilla-flavored vodka. The presence of alcohol elevates the milkshake to an entirely new level. The glass is decorated with colorful rainbow sprinkles.
Hot Fudge Brownie (RM45.00) is served in a margarita glass. The brownie’s warm interior stands in stark contrast with vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream, chopped walnuts, chocolate sprinkles and a cherry are icing on the cake.
As an American restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe serves food at American-size portions. Like my previous visits to this restaurant, the food taste does not fail to impress. Since smoking is no longer permitted in Hard Rock Cafe, children are now allowed to hang around throughout the evening.
Name: Hard Rock Cafe
Address: Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-886-8050
Business hours: 11:30am-2:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 11:30am-2:30am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://penang.hardrockhotels.net/dining-nightlife/hard-rock-cafe-penang
Coordinates: 5.46745 N, 100.24176 E
Directions: From Tanjung Bungah, travel west towards Batu Ferringhi. Hard Rock Hotel is approximately 6 kilometers from Tanjung Bungah’s floating mosque, located on the right of the road. Hard Rock Cafe is located on the Ground Floor, with a separate entrance to the right of the hotel lobby. There are parking spaces in front of the hotel.