Rocktober fest at Hard Rock Cafe

With Oktoberfest season going on, it isn't a surprise when Hard Rock Cafe has a festival around the same line. But you would in for a surprise that Hard Rock Cafe has a different take on this largest festival. Hard Rock Cafe has brought Rock 'n' Roll during Oktoberfest season, making a fun Rocktober fest for everyone. They have a lot of entertainment coupled with international beers, beer cocktail along with a menu which a rock star would love. The music at HRC just cannot be matched by anyone else with some amazing foot tapping music all the time.

While other sipped on some amazing cocktails, I enjoyed my spicy mocktail while we ate the lip smacking delicacies on offer. Carnival Feista, which had fries along with cajun spice dusted crispy tangy chilli garlic crust fries topped with bbq spice rubbed hand pulled chicken & smoked chicken frank slices, served with tangy salsa & cheddar cheese sauce. The portion is filling so get ready to share this on the table while you sip your drink.

With the kinda food rock stars eat, get ready to taste a variety of subs and sandwiches. I started with Jamaican Hotty Submarine which had Char grilled smoked chicken frank stuffed subroll, topped jemaican spiced stir fried veg & tangy cajun bbq mayo, served with spicy chilli fries. This was spicy and the first sub was impressive.

Italian Submarine was next which had tangy arabiatta mayo stuffed char grilled smoked chicken frank, chimi churi spiced onion peppers & topped with tangy pesto mayo, served with spicy chilli fries. This was more on the creamy side when combined with chilli fried, adds the twist.

Windy City Sub Roll was next which had classic american smoked chicken frank, cocktail sauce & tangy mustard relish, served with crisp chilli fries. The mix of cocktail sauce and tangy mustard had a tangy twist.

Last was Saigon Fusion Asian Roll which was an Asian bbq sub, flavour packed with grilled smoked chicken frank, crunchy asian bbq slaw, served with crisp chilli fries. This was the best of the night and I was glad I did not skip this.

While I enjoyed the non veg sub, Mexi Cali burger (veg), Mexican mafia submarine and L.A.Confidential veg burger was enjoyed by the veggies of the group.

Had to end the meal with a yummy dessert. To my surprise there was a new dessert on offer, Red Velvet Brownie Cheesecake served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. This is a must try at HRC and I really expect them to move this to the main menu.

Overall, the Rocktober fest was a surprise change for my palate and a different menu which Hard Rock Cafe has to offer. You can rock n roll along with some foamy beer, cocktails and lip-smacking subs from 28th September to 8th November 2015.

Latin American Food Fiesta at Hard Rock Cafe

Is party on your mind and rains playing spoilsport? There’s only one way to get over the monsoon blues. Step into Hard Rock Cafe and let the month-long Latin Fiesta from August 7 till September 6, lift your spirits with foot-tapping music, crafted tequila cocktails and delicious Latin American food.
Latin America is home to a wide variety of culinary delights. Each using a distinctive combination of spices and fresh ingredients, and each known for popular regional condiments such as guacamole, pico de gallo, and pebre, every Latin American country has its own unique dishes and specialities to sample. I was excited to try these in Bangalore.

The cocktails served during the festival is highly recommended, Nita was with me during my dinner and she couldn't stop praising the cocktails. I started my evening with mocktail. Santosh, the bartender attended us who has been with Hard Rock cafe for over 10 years and crafted many drinks, he knows his job well. He made a watermelon and basil mocktail for me, which was really nice. The blend of watermelon and basil was just perfect. My love spicy mocktail is very evident. Every restaurant I visit, I make sure that either they serve me a spicy mocktail from the menu or else make one for me. I requested Santosh to make one for me which he politely obliged. By far, this was THE BEST spicy mocktail I have ever had, some mango and orange juice with a twist of jalapeno. Both the drinks were repeated and the spicy mocktail deserves a special mention. I requested Santosh and Vibhu, the manager at Hard Rock Cafe to add it to the menu.

Samosette of Spicy corn and cheddar cheese, crispy phyllo triangles stuffed with corn, mixed spices and cheddar cheese served with tangy pesto mayo. These were repeated on the table.

Red Rod Fries which had crispy fries topped with dry spice and a cheddar cheese sauce, jalapeno, spring onions, sweet chili drizzle served with tangy salsa. Its not very cheesy, but a little spicy so you can enjoy these over some drinks or beer.

Next was Spanish-influenced Fire Cracker - Crunchy Chicken Tenders, smoked chicken strips, with burst of spices and Spanish paprika served with sun-dried tomato and chipotle dip. The chicken strips were bland and can be enjoyed only with the dip.

Next dish was to fire up my taste buds, Char Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Skewers which had char grilled chicken tenders marinated with Tex-Mex spice rub & tangy marinate, served with honey mustard dip. This was tasty especially during a rainy night to add spice to my tastebuds. The dip mellows down the spice.

Bahama Mama - Chicken Burrito was next, flour tortilla laced with roasted chitpotle chili ranch, smoky ragout of sweet corn, fresh dill and smoky baked beans, seasoned crunchy temders, shredded lettuce, mixed cheese and jalapeno served with spiced fries and tangy salsa. The burrito was fresh and very filling, get ready to share it if this is your order. The veg version was liked by Nita, as well.

I skipped Tijuana Chicken Sub Roll, a tantalizing blend of Mexican spices & tangy smoky salsa. It was on a hot dog bun served with fries and how much it tempted me to eat, but I couldn't as my tummy was full.

If you are into sea food, then the Orange Tequila Prawns, pan seared king prawns in corn taco shell, glazed with reduced spicy, tangy cilantro, orange sauce and flambeed with tequila. I did not taste this as it had tequila.

For vegetarians, the Brazilian Barbeque Veg Grill Skewers, sizzling skillet of BBQ glazed and spice-rubbed with Brazilian spice barbeque, cottage cheese skewers  served over chimichurri-spiced fajita onions and bell peppers is a must try. Nita, who enjoyed this dish was praising it.

To end a meal, dessert is a much. Walnut Brownie topped with chocolate fudge and vanilla ice-cream was on the table. This was much better than the last time I had it. The walnut brownie was soft and melted in the mouth. I would have preferred Tres Leches, a latin american dessert which taste much better but it wasn't on the menu

Chef Niranjan, Kitchen Manager Madhu and AGM Vibhu along with Santosh made sure my evening was awesome with good food and drinks.

The meal and the taste on the whole was very good but it had more of Mexican touch as I had some of these dishes during the Mexican festival held in September 2014, after all Mexico is the second most populated country in Latin America. The dishes are priced between Rs.375 - Rs.530. Enjoy the food fiesta like a Latino from 7th August to 6th September 2015.

Marrybrown Chicken festival

I have heard of Marrybrown but never really had or tried to visit them. Recently I got to know that they are having a Chicken festival. So I thought I should give it a try.

When I received the Marrybrown Chicken festival hamper, I found many things in it with some different flavors. Some fusion Moroccan with spicy Peri Peri along with tangy Brazilian flavors were introduced for our taste buds.

I love wraps more than burger so I started with Moroccon wrap followed by Peri Peri wrap then Brazilian wrap. I loved the Moroccon wrap and the spice in me loved Peri Peri. Brazilian did not suit my taste much compared to other wraps.

Then it was time for some burgers. I tried the Hotouch Chicken Burger in Moroccon flavor, a Fish burger for the seafood lover in me and Veg Burger in Peri Peri flavor. I can never imagine liking a veg burger more than non veg but I truly loved it. Global flavors in the wraps and burgers gives a tongue a ride around the world.

You can also have some Fried chicken, Chicken Drumstick along with Chicken poppers, chicken strips, Chick-a-bomb, Buffalo wings, Chicken lollypop, Cheese corn nuggets, Veg fingers, Potato wedges, French fries, etc from the festival menu. Food is served hot and you better have it hot :)

Marrybrown Chicken festival is on till 15th January and they have introduced over 40 new items in their menu. Head to the nearest outlet and try the one you like.

Eat and Dance at the Hokey Cokey

When I was invited at the newly opened gastropub in Koramangala named 'Hokey Cokey', all I could recollect was the song 'You do the Hokey Cokey' (Remember the song?). Well, the name of the place is also inspired by this song. They have an elevated bar with the dance floor and the other tables are placed spaciously on this rooftop pub for everyone to enjoy the weather of Bangalore and have their conversations.