Welcome to what could become Delhi's new favourite watering hole.
When I narrated my Hard Rock Cafe experience to a colleague, this is what he said: “So, the food isn’t that great, the alcohol is a bit overpriced and in terms of memorabilia it falls short of Mumbai. You still say it’s a fantastic place?” Sounds bewildering, doesn’t it?
Maybe it was the long-awaited launch or because New Delhi actually lacks places where one can listen to some good music over a drink, but Hard Rock Cafe is a place where I can see myself going to again and again.
Since it had opened just a week ago, I thought of making a reservation. But I was politely told on the phone that the admission policy was first-come, first- served. Thus, when I reached there with my spouse, I had to wait for 10 minutes. We spent the time checking out the Hard Rock store, which sadly is overpriced.
When our turn came, we found the cafe packed and buzzing with activity. We were lucky, just 30 minutes later there was barely any place left to stand. Compared to the Mumbai Hard Rock, the Delhi one doesn’t have much music-related memorabilia. Space wise too, it isn’t that big, but is still quite spacious. But for all the things that Hard Rock doesn’t have, it makes up for it abundantly with its courteous staff.
From the moment we sat at the table, we were showered with attention. Three staff members came and asked us if everything was upto the mark, a trait which is absent in most pubs/restaurants in Delhi. The food served wasn’t great, but that can be pardoned as you don’t come to Hard Rock expecting culinary ecstasy.
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Personally, I thought the music was very good, though there was some booing when “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams was played. But that can pass for “rock” in Delhi. The listening experience was good because the decibel levels were just right. You didn’t have to strain your vocal chords to have a conversation.
One of the guys serving us was candid enough to admit that they hadn’t expected such a huge crowd, and even apologised if there was any delay in serving us. This attention to tiny details might just turn Hard Rock into Delhi’s favourite watering hole.
Score: 8/10. The courteous staff and great music covers up for the lack of eye-catching memorabilia and not-so-great food.
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