Friday, October 13, 2017

Media launch of Hard Rock Café Cape Town in Camps Bay

We were invited this week to the media launch at the Hard Rock Cafe the day before it officially opened. Lynne has very fond memories of the London Hard Rock, the first one, as when it opened in 1971, she was working at Universal Pictures, which was next door at No 1 Piccadilly. Yes there were long queues to get in and yes you did see lots of celebrities when you eventually got in. Loads of Rock and Roll memorabilia on the walls. And they always had very good hamburgers. We were keen to see if and how the concept has changed in 46 years!
We were invited this week to the media launch at the Hard Rock Café, the day before it officially opened. Lynne has very fond memories of the London Hard Rock, the first one as, when it opened in 1971, she was working at Universal Pictures, which was next door at No 1 Piccadilly. Yes, there were long queues to get in and yes, you did see lots of celebrities when you eventually got in. Loads of Rock ‘n Roll memorabilia on the walls. And they always had very good hamburgers. We were keen to see if and how the concept has changed in 46 years!
It is hard to miss, near Pick n Pay and right across the road from the beach, with great views. However parking in trendy and popular Camps Bay is always an issue, we suggest you use the parking garage
The barman, who makes a mean cocktail. All the staff wear a selection of the collectable Hard Rock badges, some are available for sale in the small store at the front of the Café. We were given glasses of an MCC on arrival
Like the lamps made from cymbals? And the wall of records
Lots of precious memorabilia on the walls. We have to confess that we have not heard of all of the rock stars these come from. Josh Smith is an American Blues guitarist
Vinyl wall
Lynne chatting to the designer Hala Khalaf, who flies around the world for each opening. She is the Memorabilia curator for Hard Rock Café International. Next stops for her are Cairo and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. They have venues in 74 countries: 178 Cafés, 24 hotels and 10 casinos. The owners and operators of the HRI parent company are The Seminole Tribe of Florida
The hard hats and reflective 'aprons' we wore for our tour of the restaurant. They were still busy installing some of the memorabilia
The Shop at the front of the restaurant
lose
The downstairs interior
Beer on tap - sadly all SAB. Let's hope they discover some of the more popular and artisanal beers
Hala tells us the history of the Hard Rock and a bit more about how she sources and places the memorabilia. They own the world's largest collection of music memorabilia and cater for all ages, so some is from the Rock ‘n Roll era and others are from the decades since
lose
There is also a spacious upstairs room with another long bar
With quirky lights and more memorabilia. The most valuable piece is the drum kit on the wall which belonged to journeyman drummer Brent Fitz while touring with Slash. There are also boots owned by Bob Dylan, a Les Paul Guitar, A Paul Reed Smith guitar used in a Madonna 2001 Drowned World Tour, a microphone stand created for and used by Rihanna and many more. You have to go and see for yourself
Nice views from the upstairs windows and balcony
The said drum kit
lose
The barmen
lose
It was another stormy day and the waves were crashing on the beach outside
Downstairs and time for some samples of the food they will be serving. Prawn cocktails
Chicken "tenders" with a good barbeque sauce
Deep fried cauliflower with a spicy dip
Onion rings
John had a beer
Then came the sliders (mini burgers). These were the classic hamburgers, dressed simply with caramelised onion and a melting cheese. They are still good.
Pulled pork on a bun, nice and smoky with a good sauce
The Long Island Tea
A blue Pina Colada. Lynne tasted one and it was rather too sweet for her and had the disconcerting flavour of bubblegum. It looked like a Blue Lagoon
Burgers with chicken fillet
Very friendly waiting staff
With lovely smiles. Yes, I will have another...
This was supper
lose
Time for dessert. An Oreo Cheesecake
Or wicked chocolate brownies. No nuts but later they came out sprinkled with nuts.
The barman made Lynne a lovely sour cocktail with vodka
We loved Hala's earrings. The Hard Rock Café is now open and we wonder whom their market will be.
The many overseas tourists will know the concept already

































at

No comments:

Post a Comment