Monday, July 2, 2012

ENDED Date Night at Hard Rock Cafe Detroit & GIVEAWAY!

Hard-Rock-Cafe-Detroit
Inside Hard Rock Cafe Detroit
Chris and I don't get out much by ourselves, I'm sad to say. We really need to make that more of a priority, but our babysitter pool is pretty miniscule. I actually can't remember the last time the two of us went out anywhere with no children...that is, until last night.

Hard Rock Cafe has been in Detroit for years, yet somehow we never managed to get downtown to check it out. We have been to Hard Rocks in other cities, but that was before kids interrupted our couple time. When My Blog Spark offered me the opportunity have a meal at Hard Rock Cafe, I was pleased to A) have an excuse for a date night with  my husband, and B) get to visit a restaurant I had been meaning to get to for awhile.

Hard Rock Cafe Detroit is located on Monroe Street in downtown Detroit, inside the Compuware World Headquarters building, and right across the street from Campus Martius. On a Sunday night we were able to score free street parking on the same block as the restaurant. Like all Hard Rock Cafes, the inside is decorated with a variety of music memorabilia, including a dress worn by native Michigander Madonna, Michael Jackson's black leather studded jacket (think Beat It), and lots of Motown artifacts. The colorful stained glass mural behind the bar adds something unique to the atmosphere. There's plenty to look at , without being cluttered or overbearing.

Hard-Rock-Cafe-Detroit
Hard Rock sign, taken from Campus Martius
From the moment we walked into the Hard Rock, the staff was extremely accommodating and pleasant. Our waiter was great, as well as knowledgeable about the restaurant's decorative pieces. Once we got our food, I don't think a Hard Rock employee walked by our table without checking to make sure we were doing okay and that we didn't need anything. Not in an annoying, awkward way either. Just a pleasant, "you doing okay?" while strolling past our table. I should mention that the Sunday night crowd was sparse, so I'm not sure if the staff is quite so attentive when it's experiencing heavier traffic.

Chris and I started our meal with an appetizer of Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta, which was flavorful and fresh. We each enjoyed a fruity non-alcoholic beverage - Chris had a berry lemonade and I had a fruit smoothie - served in "Keeper" glasses, which, FYI, will set you back $10 a piece. They don't make you take home the glasses in which your drinks are served; instead you take your receipt to the gift shop after your meal, at which point you'll be presented with spankin' new glasses, neatly boxed up and ready to go. Chris decided to cheat big from the vegetarian diet, and ordered the Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Trio Combo, with a side Caesar salad. He had no complaints and no leftovers, and it looked and smelled scrumptious. I've been sticking to vegetarianism pretty strictly (with the exception of one fish dinner a few weeks ago), so I had a bit of a trickier time finding a suitable entree. There is a Veggie Leggie burger on the menu, but I had a veggie burger for lunch yesterday so I wanted something different. I went with the Honey-Citrus Grilled Chicken Salad, without the chicken. I don't like soggy lettuce or onions, so I also skipped the onions and the dressing. Salad is pretty much my favorite meal, and I especially love restaurant salads, mainly because I don't have to make them. This one was loaded with oranges, spiced pecans, red pepper strips, dried cranberries, and blue cheese crumbles. It was fresh, crisp, cool, and delicious. I was not overly impressed with the serving size, but it was enough. Also, it didn't come with so much as a roll or a bread stick. That's okay, since we had the Bruschetta, but if not for that I would have been wanting a little something to go with my salad. I was tempted to try something from the dessert menu, such as the Fresh Apple Cobbler served with Ben & Jerry's ice cream, but I was full and exercised self-control for once. This will warrant a return visit, maybe even just for dessert. All in all, it was a satisfying meal with fresh ingredients and adequate portions.

Compuware-Headquarters
Inside the Compuware Headquarters
Compuware-Headquarters
And the kite sculptures go all the way up to the ceiling
Campus-Martius-Detroit
Fountain at Campus Martius
Compuware-Building-Campus-Martius-Detroit
Compuware & Campus Martius

An alternate exit leads into the Compuware lobby, which is worth a look for its stunning fountain and sculpture, rising 14 stories high. After enjoying the view for a few minutes, we went back in the restaurant and left through the street exit on Monroe, stopping in the gift shop along the way to pick up our Keeper glasses. Before heading home, we took a few minutes to stroll through Campus Martius, soaking up the beautiful evening as much as we could. Campus Martius is known for its ice skating rink during the winter months, but this time of year there are little tables set up all around, which I hope see a lot of lunch time action during the work week. A sign advertised movie nights in the park throughout the summer. A bandstand occasionally hosts live music, and a little cafe sits in the middle of the park, situated right in front of the fountain. But last night was quiet, with just a spattering of people walking around or sitting at one of the many tables.

We had a lovely date night, and I am inspired to make evenings like that happen more often. Are you desperate for some one-on-one with your significant other? Or maybe dying for a girls night? Maybe you'd like to try the Hard Rock Cafe in your neck of the woods? If so, I have great news because I am giving one lucky winner a $50 gift card for Hard Rock Cafe! Interested? Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below! Good luck!

Disclosure:  The promotional cards and information have been provided courtesy of Hard Rock International through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

51 comments:

Tricia said...

need more date nights too! and if the night is on the house can afford the sitter right? been to HR cafe in Paris and Detroit, Chicago too....Detroit was 8 or so years ago went skating when campus martius opened and then hit the hard rock for some grub with my oldest who it now 12 he must of been 4 or 5 but Dave and I have never had an adult night there!

Tricia said...

almost forgot stayed at the Hard Corkc Hotel in Orlando it was a blast swimming in a guitar shaped pool with the music piped in under water!

Anonymous said...

I love Hard Rock Cafe!! I have been to the one in St Louis, MO; Las Vegas; and Pittsburgh, PA. The food is always great and the atmosphere is very relaxed.

Anonymous said...

My favorite date night activity is going out for a nice dinner and then relaxing in front of the big screen. :)

Anonymous said...

I want to try the Shock Top Beer Battered Fish & Chips. Sounds yummy!

ConnieFoggles said...

I've been to the Hard Rock in Orlando.

ConnieFoggles said...

We like to go out to dinner for date night.

JC said...

I've been to San Francisco store

JC said...

I like movie and dinner date nights.

JC said...

I like Cajun Shrimp & Poached Pear Salad

Elena said...

I have never been, but would like to visit

elena150980@yahoo.com

Elena said...

We like to go out for dinner

elena150980@yahoo.com

Elena said...

I would try the Texan Smokehouse Sandwich

elena150980@yahoo.com

Mami2jcn said...

I've never been to the Hard Rock Cafe. I'd like to go to the Myrtle Beach location.

I'm entering on the rafflecopter with my Facebook username (Mary Happymommy).

Mami2jcn said...

My favorite date night activity is a movie at home.

Mami2jcn said...

I'd like to try the Cajun Shrimp & Poached Pear Salad.

Tina said...

I've been to Chicago store
merleandtina@Yahoo.com

Tina said...

watch movies
merleandtina@Yahoo.com

Tina said...

BALSAMIC TOMATO BRUSCHETTA
merleandtina@Yahoo.com

Kristen said...

I went to the one in Honolulu many years ago.

Kristen said...

My favorite date night activity is going to a play (after going out to a nice dinner!)

Kristen said...

I'd like to try The Texan Sandwich.

akronugurl said...

i been to the on in Cleveland

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

akronugurl said...

i like going to dinner and a movie

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

akronugurl said...

i wanna try the The Texan Sandwich

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

won said...

I have been to one before. I am pretty sure it was in Niagra Falls.

If I won, I'd be going to the same one you went to :)

*Wendy T on rafflecopter

won said...

Date night activity?

Ummm....I don't remember. I haven't had a date in quite a few years.

Tabathia B said...

BBQ PULLED CHICKEN SANDWICH

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Wanda McHenry said...

Yes, I've been to the one in Myrtle Beach, SC

Wanda McHenry
wbailey113 at hotmail dot com

Wanda McHenry said...

My favorite date night is activity is going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Wanda McHenry
wbailey113 at hotmail dot com

Wanda McHenry said...

I'd like to try the Shock Top Beer Battered Fish & Chips

Wanda McHenry
wbailey113 at hotmail dot com

amramazon280 said...

ive been to hard rock, manila philippines
amramazon280 at yahoo dot com

amramazon280 said...

dining out at my fav restaurant with my hubby
amramazon280 at yahoo dot com

amramazon280 said...

love to try the hickory smoked bbq ribs
amramazon280 at yahoo dot com

lisa said...

We have been to one in FL and one in TN

We love dinner for date night

Shock Top Beer Battered Fish & Chips

Donna said...

I think I have been to the Hollywood Hard Rock Cafe

something frugal at yahoo dot com

Donna said...

I think I have been to the Hollywood Hard Rock Cafe

something frugal at yahoo dot com

Donna said...

We like to go to our local drive-in movie theater.

something frugal at yahoo dot com

Donna said...

I would want to try the grilled salmon!

something frugal at yahoo dot com

C.R. said...

1 Gatlinburg location

2 we like to go out to dinner

3 Shock Top Beer Battered Fish & Chips

b-dub said...

Orlando

b-dub said...

Movie and Dinner

b-dub said...

Cajun Shrimp & Poached Pear Salad

won said...

TWISTED MAC, CHICKEN & CHEESE sounds delicious.

Wendy T on rafflecopter

Jenatron said...

I have been to cleveland and chicago hard rock. Both a VERY long time ago

jennifer marie

lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

Jenatron said...

We would like to try the BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

jennifer marie

lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

Jenatron said...

we like to go to dinner and a movie for date nite

jennifer marie

lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I have been to the one in San Francisco many years ago
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

Going to the movies and dinner are my favorite date night activities
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I'd love to get their Grilled Chicken Marsala
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I am a public follower of yours on GFC (Carolsue).
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net