Located in the party hub of the city, Hard Rock Café fits in nicely with the other popular eateries and bars that populate Park Street. The popular chain is known for their rock-oriented decor with walls covered with memorabilia of famous musicians. My friend who dabbles in music, was suitably ecstatic to find a harmonica used by John Lenon during a tour in the 90s, a guitar signed by BB King, and an outfit worn by Lady Gaga. For rock enthusiasts, this diverse music memorabilia should be reason enough to pay Hard Rock Café a visit.
It was kind of empty - because of the late afternoon hour (and it was a dry day). We missed the HRC tradition of YMCA dance and singalong.
After a short hiatus due to the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns, Kolkata's Hard Rock Café has reopened its doors, with two new menus. We sampled the local menu that merges local cuisines with international influences to create interesting fusions. These are comfort dishes with a Hard Rock twist that are meant for sharing, and pair well with their beverages. Curated by HRC's Chef Cyrus Irani, it is a special local set of dishes for Kolkata, based on past experience in the market as well as current trends.
For entrees we had the Gun Powder Chicken Tikka and Orange Tequila Prawns and a platter of non-veg flatbread. The chicken, an interesting blend of north and south Indian flavours, was chargrilled with a hint of south Indian spices and a mint chutney that was creamier and sweeter than your traditional pudina-dhania chutney. What was interesting was the hint of tandoori chicken in the beginning, which rounded off with a touch of gunpowder towards the end.
The chicken (served with jungle sauce and kachumber) paired well with the flatbread which is similar to a small pizza, but with a naan base and with cheddar cheese and peperoni as toppings. The naan-pizza made for an interesting change, it was fresh, soft and went well with the cheese and peperoni. The flatbread also comes with a vegetarian option with a choice of paneer or grilled vegetables on top.
The dish that really stood out amongst the entrées was the Orange Tequila Pawns - 'prawns tossed in smoky chipotle tequila sauce, and served on a bed of creamy coleslaw and tortilla crisps' (as described in the menu). Fusion dishes are meant to fascinate and surprise, the mix of different cuisines and ideas makes for interesting flavours, something the diner might not have experienced before. The Orange Tequila Prawns did just that. It was flavourful and fresh, and the slight sweetness of the tequila and the zesty flavour of orange complimented the fresh prawns really well. The creamy bed of coleslaw it was served on provided an additional dimension of texture to the dish.
The three starters make for perfect game day food. It was fairly simple and delicious, something one would enjoy sharing with their friends while watching a live game or concert on the big screen that&rsquos placed opposite the bar.
For mains, we were served Chicken Tikka Masala and Cajun Rubbed Fish with Caper Cream Sauce. Just like the prawn starters, the fish was exceptionally fresh - the perks of being close to all the various water bodies in Kolkata. The perky capers added a depth of flavour and balanced the creaminess of the sauce quite well.
The Chicken Tikka Masala was an old classic with a modern spin. Served on a bed of rice with a makhani sauce, it made for the perfect comfort dish. If you prefer a vegetarian option, try the Paneer Tikka Masala which has similar flavours.
To round off the meal, you must try their (rather large slice of) New York Cheesecake. Rich and dense with a creamy biscuit layer that crumbles as your spoon goes in, it was sprinkled with a chocolate and caramel sauce with tiny butterscotch shavings scattered on top. The chocolate, caramel and butterscotch made for an interesting mix of flavours with the dense texture of the cheesecake tying it all together.
The Information
Where Park Mansion 57-A, Park Street, Kolkata.
Price for two Rs 1,300 (approx) without alcohol.
For more information, check here.
