Hard Rock Cafe

The Hard Rock Cafe has been on Beach Road for around 10 years, and in that time has become a landmark in Pattaya, and a very popular venue for the weekend Bangkokians.

“Our” Hard Rock Cafe has an ambience all of its own.

Just in case you think the Hard Rock Cafe is merely a food outlet for the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya, it is a stand-alone venue and is one of around 150 world-wide. The first Hard Rock Cafe actually opened in London, and was founded by Americans Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett, and the Hard Rock Cafe now has one of the largest collections of rock and roll memorabilia on the planet.

“Our” Hard Rock Cafe has a prime location on Beach Road, close by the free form Hard Rock Hotel pool, and even has its own jacuzzi if you wish to soak as well as drink. Right next door is their General Store, which had a constant stream of overseas shoppers.

The Hard Rock Cafe has an ambience all of its own. From the minute you pass into the restaurant, under the sign banning “drugs and nuclear weapons”, you realize this is a fun environment, added to by the service staff who are practically jumping out of their skins to make sure you are in the swing of it all. There is a sit-up bar along one side and the dais for the band along the other side wall. Memorabilia including Elton John’s platform boots and other guitars adorn all vertical surfaces.

From the minute you pass into the restaurant, under the sign banning “drugs and nuclear weapons”, you realize this is a fun environment.

We were the guests of the Hard Rock Cafe manager Matty Carley, but the fun service we enjoyed was just the same as that received by the diners at all the other tables. With an Asahi beer for me and a Mojito for Madame we perused the menu. Matty is particularly proud of the fact that all ingredients are produced on site, with freshness being important. There is also a Thai-styled burger, which is a local addition to the American menu.

The wine list is not extensive, but on the other hand, it is not expensive either, with most between B. 1,400 (Jacob’s Creek Australian Shiraz Cabernet) and 2,400. Cocktails are available, beers and even non-alcoholic creations.

The Hickory smoked pulled pork sandwich comes with sauces, seasoned fries, ranch beans and fresh coleslaw.

The menu has some small thumbnails of the dishes, so that you can see what you are going to get. However the small photographs do not prepare you for the size of the portions. Absolutely huge!

For example, Madame ordered the Jumbo Combo for starters, and it was enormous. It easily fed four people, making it under B. 130 a head, so is not expensive at all. It included Santa Fe spring rolls, hickory-smoked chicken wings, onion rings, potato skins and Tupelo chicken tenders, all served with four different sauces.

For my main I read that the legendary burgers were 10 oz ones and knew I couldn’t possibly get through one, so I went for the Hickory smoked pulled pork sandwich (B. 380) which came with sauces, seasoned fries, ranch beans and fresh coleslaw. Juicy and fabulous, it was still too much. Hard Rock Cafe provides very large portions. Be prepared to share! Madame, being a smart diner, stayed with the Jumbo Combo, knowing she could not eat a main course as well!

There is a sit-up bar along one side.

For those who come for the music, this begins at 9-9.30 p.m. (except Sundays) and the new band Strat Kats is from the Philippines. We did stay for a set, and this is a great bunch of entertainers, with the lead guitarist amazingly talented, and the female vocalist has a strong voice and had the guests eating out of her hands. We enjoyed it so much we went back the next night, taking our daughter, a rock and roll music freak!

Sundays promise ‘Happy Hour’ all night, and on the first Sunday of each month is a ‘Plastic Fantastic’ evening with a DJ playing the ‘vinyl’ hits of the 50’s and 60’s.

If you haven’t been for a while, reacquaint yourself!

Hard Rock Cafe, Pattaya Beach Road, telephone 038 426 635, fax 038 421 673, all major cards accepted. Open seven days from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Secure parking in the hotel parking areas, but on-street parking on Beach Road in low season.

The music at 9-9.30 p.m. (except Sundays) and
the new band Strat Kats is from the Philippines.

The Jumbo Combo is enormous.

The skipper’s favorite pork

This recipe comes from a real skipper’s mate, Sue Bett, who wrote a book for cooks on board yachts. They are deliberately easy with the minimum of ingredients but still have a little gourmet touch to them. You can substitute Gruyere cheese for cheddar if you prefer, or if you want to be really courageous, try some gorgonzola! The mustard is also of your choosing. With pork, the secret is not to cook too long or the meat will dry out.

Ingredients                   serves 2 Pork fillets                        4 Cream                              1 cup French mustard                 1 tbspn Freshly ground pepper        ¼ tspn Salt to taste Cheddar cheese (grated)     ¾ cup

Cooking Method

With a pulverizer, beat the pork fillets till they are around 1 cm thick. In a heavy based frying pan, without oil, lightly brown both sides of the fillets and place in an oven dish. In a bowl, combine all the other ingredients and spread over the pork fillets. Place in a warm to moderate oven for around 30 minutes or until the cheese turns bubbly and golden. Serve with mashed potatoes, even ‘instant’ with some butter and chopped onion folded in.