Hard Rock Cafe

Special thanks to Hard Rock Hotel for extending this food review invitation.

Thanks to powerful branding, Hard Rock Cafe is immensely popular among locals and foreigners alike. Located at Hard Rock Hotel Penang, the restaurant features a statue of Michael Jackson at the front. Like the rest of the beachside resort, Hard Rock Cafe is decorated with numerous memorabilia in the rock & roll genre.

For the months of May and June 2018, Hard Rock Cafe is reviving the annual World Burger Tour. This year, the menu features 8 specialty burgers from around the world. Four burgers will be available during May, and another four during June. Today's preview highlights the former four.

The Tropical Burger (RM65.00) hails from Key West, Florida. The Sunshine State is represented by a juicy slice of pineapple over the beef patty. The all-American burger is also topped with feta cheese, turkey bacon and jalapeño mango salsa for good measure. Cheesy dipping sauce is used.

Next, the Lancashire Hot Pot Burger (RM65.00) is inspired by the famous stew from Manchester, United Kingdom. Resting on the beef patty is corned beef hash, a popular comfort food in Britain. Other ingredients are cheddar cheese crumble, sliced beetroot and HP Sauce. Beetroot mayo coleslaw serves as the dipping sauce.

Banh Mi Burger (RM65.00) is back by popular demand. This burger is inspired by the iconic sandwich from Ho Chi Minh City. The beef patty is glazed with Hard Rock's tangy Vietnamese sauce. Also sandwiched within the bun are pickled vegetables, julienned cucumber, carrot strips, red onions, coriander and scallions.

My personal favorite burger today is the Date Burger (RM65.00). Originating in Dubai, the patty is coated with Hard Rock's signature date chutney. In addition, the burger also contains dates and soft cream cheese. This burger is recommended especially if you are fond of honey-like sweetness of palm dates.

Each burger holds an 8-ounce patty of genuine ground beef, which should be a formidable meal for most people. Meanwhile, diners who do not take beef can have the patty swapped for chicken breast instead. Each burger comes with Hard Rock's Savory Artisan French Fries as well as a corresponding dipping sauce.

In the month of June 2018, another 4 burgers will take the center stage: Jambalaya Burger, Jamaican Jerk Burger, Satay Burger and Sweet & Sour Burger. It is a great idea to dine with friends because for every purchase of 4 burgers, the 5th one is on the house!

In parallel, Hard Rock Cafe is also introducing 8 special drinks to go with the burgers. These cocktails and mocktails are available through August 2018.

Served in a pint glass, the Rockin' Fresh Rita (RM35.00) is mixed from Sauza Silver tequila, Agave nectar and fresh lime juice. Meanwhile, the non-alcoholic Southern Style Lemonade (RM23.00) is concocted from Monin watermelon fruit purée, lemonade and mint leaves. A Hurricane glass is used for this fruity mocktail.

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: http://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.