New additions to old favourites
Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu does not disappoint with its great food and warm hospitality, writes Olivia Miwil
HARD Rock Cafe is well-known for its hospitality and great food. But the cafe in Kota Kinabalu offers something extra for patrons. As it is strategically located facing the South China Sea, patrons can enjoy their favourite Hard Rock dishes with a spectacular view of the sunset that Kota Kinabalu is famed for.
General manager Anderson K. Selva says the cafe has always been known around the world for its good food, cool drinks, warm hospitality and impeccable service.
DELICIOUSLY ROCKING
To localise its menu, Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu, which opened four years ago, has included its versions of curry laksa,
nasi goreng and fried kway teow, on top of its regular offerings which can be found all over the globe.
“With these local dishes, we hope to satisfy both locals and tourists,” says Anderson, adding that Hard Rock fans from all over the world usually go for the signature dishes.
Among them are Jumbo Combo, Classic Nachos and Original Legendary Burger.
A to-share starter, Jumbo Combo is a collection of the cafe’s most popular appetisers such as signature wings, onion rings, tupelo chicken tenders, southwest spring rolls and potato skin.
It is served with honey mustard, hickory barbeque sauce, sour cream and blue cheese dressing.
Garnished with sour cream, the Classic Nachos are tortilla chips piled high and layered with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, Pico de Gallo, jalapenos and green onions.
For something heavy but fun, the Original Legendary Burger is a juicy beef burger topped with smoked turkey bacon, cheddar cheese, golden fried onion rings, crisp lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes.
The top three signature dishes are undeniably delicious but I like the Java Lava burger.
My tastebud is awakened by the espresso rub, house-made java lava sauce, java onions, melted cheddar cheese, smoked turkey ham, crisp lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes.
For salad, I choose Cobb Salad — mixed greens topped with grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes, red onions, egg, smoked turkey bacon, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
For the main course, there are choices of Twisted Mac, chicken and cheese, barbeque chicken, and New York Strip steak.
My preference is the barbeque chicken which is brined then basted with hickory barbeque sauce and roasted until tender.
As for the Twisted Mac, the cavatappi macaroni is tossed in a three-cheese sauce with roasted red peppers, topped with parmesan parsley breadcrumbs and grilled chicken breast.
If you love steak, the cafe serves a big and juicy New York Strip steak, seasoned and fire-grilled. It is then topped with herb garlic butter, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
As for the non-alcoholic drinks, Mango Tango is a Red Bull energy drink mixed with mango puree and orange juice. Berrylicious is a concoction of wild berries blended with strawberry puree and orange juice, then garnished with fresh strawberries and orange.
We end our gastronomic journey by sharing a cheesecake made with oreo cookie and hot fudge brownie.