Located in Plaza Colon in the Colonial Zone.
It's almost opposite the first church in the Americas.
They did a good job on the inside, looks like a typical Hard Rock Cafe.
The place has only been open a week or so, I guess they are ironing out the bumps, at least I hope so. The place was packed with the "I'm here, look at me" crowd. I have a feeling this crowd is good for maybe 1 or 2 meals at the Hard Rock Cafe before they move onto the next new venue or go back to Fridays or OutBack. I'm not so sure of the long term success in it's current location, no parking and not in the heart of the upper middle class. You need to win over the local crowd as the Colonial Zone just doesn't get that many tourists.
Back to the experience...
The wait for a table was 30 mins or more. When I asked if it was possible for us to eat at the bar, they told me no. They also gave us a flag that nobody seemed to know what it was for, interesting, anyone know? When we went to the bar to wait for our table they said it wasn't a problem eating at the bar. I guess the memo hadn't reached the bar yet The barman took our order down on a napkin, I guess the order book hadn't made it either.
I asked several times for a chair to sit down on, all the others at the bar had people on them. Mind you, 75% of these people were not drinking, just waiting around for tables. I never got a chair and asking for one just fell on death ears. Kind of like it's not my problem. Even when I got a little more vocal, I was wasting my time. Great service guys, be sure to have the manager give you another pin to stick on your lapel.
The food came out all at the same time, starter and main meal. The food was ok, nothing special, typical Fridays style food. Not worthy of the Michelin restaurant guide, but better than McDonalds.
Bottom line, I give the new Hard Rock Cafe, 5 out of 10.
My advice, Fridays, Outback or the Steakhouse are better options.
In this business, you have one chance to make a good impression and create a repeat customer. Guess what, I'm only going back if someone else picks up the tab
It's almost opposite the first church in the Americas.
They did a good job on the inside, looks like a typical Hard Rock Cafe.
The place has only been open a week or so, I guess they are ironing out the bumps, at least I hope so. The place was packed with the "I'm here, look at me" crowd. I have a feeling this crowd is good for maybe 1 or 2 meals at the Hard Rock Cafe before they move onto the next new venue or go back to Fridays or OutBack. I'm not so sure of the long term success in it's current location, no parking and not in the heart of the upper middle class. You need to win over the local crowd as the Colonial Zone just doesn't get that many tourists.
Back to the experience...
The wait for a table was 30 mins or more. When I asked if it was possible for us to eat at the bar, they told me no. They also gave us a flag that nobody seemed to know what it was for, interesting, anyone know? When we went to the bar to wait for our table they said it wasn't a problem eating at the bar. I guess the memo hadn't reached the bar yet The barman took our order down on a napkin, I guess the order book hadn't made it either.
I asked several times for a chair to sit down on, all the others at the bar had people on them. Mind you, 75% of these people were not drinking, just waiting around for tables. I never got a chair and asking for one just fell on death ears. Kind of like it's not my problem. Even when I got a little more vocal, I was wasting my time. Great service guys, be sure to have the manager give you another pin to stick on your lapel.
The food came out all at the same time, starter and main meal. The food was ok, nothing special, typical Fridays style food. Not worthy of the Michelin restaurant guide, but better than McDonalds.
Bottom line, I give the new Hard Rock Cafe, 5 out of 10.
My advice, Fridays, Outback or the Steakhouse are better options.
In this business, you have one chance to make a good impression and create a repeat customer. Guess what, I'm only going back if someone else picks up the tab