Hard Rock Atlantic City review: Concert schedule,…
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A go to to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino begins long before you even step foot in the large multipurpose space.
Once your car whizzes previous the kitschy “Welcome To Atlantic City” signal and big-name billboards lining the freeway, a huge guitar will be noticed on the horizon.
Yep. That’s the Hard Rock.
The iconic venue, which once was the Taj Mahal, opened a day forward of schedule in 2018. Over the previous seven years, the 17-acre (!) venue has established itself with tasteful rooms, award-winning eating, vigorous gameplay, a state-of-the-art pool, spa, gymnasium, numerous shrines devoted to rock-and-roll heroes and, of course, its top-notch leisure.
Exciting upcoming friends embrace household-name headliners like Earth Wind and Fire, Avett Brothers, Foreigner, The Temptations and Old Dominion.
“No matter the season, the Hard Rock is filled with excitement and live music seven days a week,” mentioned George Goldhoff, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “We’re proud to offer the ultimate resort destination with unparalleled guest services.”
And I received to expertise the brash, cheeky space in all its rock and roll glory.
This previous month, my spouse and three-year-old daughter and I stayed at the AC mainstay and took in all the resort and on line casino had to offer including a stay show at their intimate yet epic, aforementioned Etess Arena. To provide you with an concept of what it’s like to spend time at the laborious rockin’ Hard Rock, right here’s an unique account of our go to.
Check-in
Upon entrance — after marveling at the larger-than-life trademark guitar — friends are greeted by stay music as marketed. An impassioned band carried out on a close by stage delivering devoted covers of rock classics.
This place is kickin’.
Kinda like a live-action “Rock Band,” the video sport. A full-on cavalcade of noises and colours and life.
Once we regained our bearings, the useful workers guided us through check-in. They had been pleasant, gave us their full consideration and had us set with a keycard and water bottles within minutes.
Plus, if you look intently enough, you’ll discover each and every worker is adorned with a pin name-checking their favourite artists. I clocked followers of Journey, Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers.
I believe I prefer it right here.
Etess Arena
On evening one, I made my manner to the cavernous Etess Arena to see the “Jersey Boy” himself, Frankie Valli.
Once I established where I used to be seated within the spacious venue, I ran into an encasement of Bon Jovi’s wardrobe on my stroll into the lads’s room. You don’t see that every day. Nice contact, Hard Rock. Not many locations make bogs memorable but you guys do. Kudos.
Now, absolutely prepared to catch the show, I returned to the inviting 7,000-seat venue. Upon first look, it was clear: this malleable space is particular. With it lower-level seats that aren’t bolted to the ground (and stadium-style seating in the back), the world can host any quantity of reveals from live shows to comedy to boxing (which comes on Aug. 30 when the Cage Fury Fighting Championships rolls into city).
While ready for ol’ Frankie to take the stage, I admired the large screen selling all the acts set to go to over the next few months. I’m a sucker for traditional rock and can’t wait for Foreigner, Yes, Toto, Steve Winwood and, of course, Earth Wind and Fire.
And with that, the “Jersey Boy” ambled into the highlight. The show was a delight. Excellent acoustics and high ceilings amplified Valli’s voice, making seeing the bucket listing artist all the more extraordinary.
For a nearer look at what’s coming to the Hard Rock, listed below are the 11 reveals we’re most excited about these next few months:
Etess Arena concertsDavid Lee Roth
Friday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m.Avett Brothers
Saturday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m.Old Dominion
Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.Steve Winwood
Friday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.Yes
Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m.Foreigner
Friday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.Khalid
Friday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m.Air Supply
Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.Earth Wind and Fire
Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.The Temptations and Four Tops
Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.
Matt Levy
The room
Before the show, I boarded the elevator, key card in hand, and went back up to the eighth ground. This was where we had been staying for the next day or so, and now was the time to make it home.
I swung the sturdy door open and marveled at the tasteful, zen-like space.
The strong one-bedroom was so generously-sized, I truthfully thought of throwing a occasion in the suite. On one aspect was a breathtaking flatscreen TV — which was rockin’ groovy tunes as we walked in — flanked by a trendy L-shaped sectional sofa with tasteful throw pillows completely positioned at each finish.
Matt Levy
All of a sudden, I didn’t need to go away.
Yet, there was still so a lot more to my swanky, momentary abode.
While doing a fast “Cribs” type tour (yes, I’m a Millennial), I found a high-class, marble-floored rest room. The glossy bathe, full with a bench to park your self while scrubbing, was a dream come true. Perfect water strain along with travel-sized shampoo, conditioner and physique wash was precisely what I needed before leaping on the king-sized mattress.
Following my initial leap, I landed on a mattress that jogged my memory of my parents- firm yet supportive. This is precisely what my aching back needed. The hefty pillows had been equally spectacular. 75% inflexible, 25% squish.
Matt Levy
All in all, Hard Rock’s rooms offer the peak of luxurious when it comes to leisure. Kick back, unfold your wings and neglect about the world for a minute.
Sound good? You can guide a keep at the Hard Rock Atlantic City right here.
Kuro
Even though I didn’t need to transfer, we had booked a dinner at Kuro, Hard Rock’s modern Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi.
So, I put on my best polo — , because I’m fancy like that — and headed downstairs with the oldsters.
After a short stroll, we landed at Chef Leslie Daniel’s polished upscale eatery where the fish is flown in from Japan. Our hostess led us to a back sales space and sat the three of us. Simei, our server whose been at Kuro since day one in 2018, warmly launched us to the restaurant’s communal eating, family-style philosophy.
We ordered a wide selection of dishes primarily based on Simei’s recs and, for the next hour, watched each tantalizing menu merchandise get paraded to our desk.
Up first had been shrimp-flavored rice chips. Adorned with nori, they provided the subtlest trace of the sea. Crsipy yet elegant, this was an efficient introduction to our meal. Within a few bites, we knew what we had been getting with Kuro: classed-up consolation food and elevating traditional dishes.
Right after, Simei dropped off a massive plate of edamame topped with Maldon salt and parmesan-dusted shishito peppers. Both had been coarse, strong, highly effective solutions to the ethereal chips we’d just downed. Crispy to chewy was precisely the feel profile shift I needed.
The apps stored rolling in. Wagyu tacos — which workers had touted as a home favourite — had been distinctive. Spicy cilantro, ají amarillo, a deep-fried wonton shell and melty, tingly, refreshing meat wowed me so a lot that I didn’t even thoughts the mini hors d’oeuvre breaking after taking my first chunk. As I cupped the wagyu meat, I’d or may not have whispered to myself “magnificent” like I used to be Christopher Lloyd in “Back To The Future.” OK, yes, I did.
Matt Levy
We didn’t stop there. Dungeness crabs with shrimp sauce atop a lush crushed-ice bowl had been sneakily candy but principally umami, a true tower of tastes capped with a yama momo aka, a Japanese candy plum that wasn’t shy about its daring dessert-like taste. In a phrase: yum.
Since each new plate was so small, we had room for more. The oishii yellowtail, a mild sea chunk, was enhanced by jalapeño ponzu and chili pepper making it concurrently dreamy and punchy. It’s a kick in the style buds I wouldn’t thoughts being handled to a dozen instances.
Chef Les’ tuna roll atop a mattress of crispy rice was a battle of sludgy and firm textures. While that was intriguing, the true marvel right here was the flavors coalescing like teammates working collectively to create a sum higher than its elements. Truly magical. Pro tip: use the crispy rice as a base for every little thing. It’s a culinary cheat code.
Kuro’s most accessible dish is probably going its karaage chicken, which separates itself from the pack with its crisp pores and skin and tender meat expertly paired with cucumber, pickled daikon and mayo-based sauce. My mouth is watering as I clack away pondering of the sunshine, savory deal with. Once again, one other small plate, large taste winner.
Finally, we had been at the entree portion of the tasting.
Their smoky, A5 wagyu ribeye made fairly the doorway laying on a mattress of grilled salad with skinny garlic chips atop a steaming charcoal grill. The lush meat — the softest I’ve ever laid lips upon — was served with spicy miso, yakitori and cilantro sauces. I alternated between favorites. None overpowered; they had been all complementary and kicky in their own manner. There wasn’t a dud in the bunch.
Matt Levy
Entree quantity two was the succulent sea bass served on an unwavering banana leaf. Marinated in miso for 24-48 hours, we had been suggested by Simei to pair the crunchy, acidic daikon with the pillowy bass. What a masterstroke. At this level, I noticed this was Chef Les’ secret: let all textures stay within a chunk for a full mouth-watering expertise.
Matt Levy
My spouse went loopy for the creamy, not fairly savory surf and turf roll delivered next. This one was a stunner: butter-poached lobster wrapped in torched smoky wagyu beef. If that isn’t the definition of decadent, I don’t know what is.
Matt Levy
If you’ve been questioning “hey, what was the toddler eating this whole time?”, I’m completely happy to inform you Kuro took care of my subtle, adventurous eater daughter. Not only did they drop off plump udon noodles with beneficiant cuts of greens and melt-in-your-mouth seared chicken, the workers also introduced her easy-to-use chopsticks. I dubbed them “bumper lane chopsticks.” Brilliant contact.
Dessert time.
Misei plated seasonal, summer-y, cinnamon sugar Japanese donuts with a trio of dipping sauces. They had been sesame, raspberry and chocolate. Let’s not beat around the bush. This was the MVP of the sweet-tooth choices to finish our feast. So rattling good.
Matt Levy
Yes, the mochi cake was dense and its companion — Okinawa ube ice cream (!) — hit just proper. And, sure the fragile, light-as-a-feather cheesecake draped in a luxurious purple sauce with fruit artfully sprinkled about opened my eyes to just what one can do with the concept of “cheesecake” as inspiration.
Still, make no mistake. There was no beating those donuts. I’ve been dreaming of them ever since we checked out.
All in all, we liked every little thing about Kuro. Chef Les has concocted a visionary, visible menu that leaves you feeling more energized than full after your final chunk. Although I’d eaten more than my honest share of fish, meat and carbs, I had a pep in my step as I left. Now, that’s a miracle.
The on line casino
Post-meal, I walked 50 toes — with a pep in my step, thoughts you — to the completely hopping on line casino.
Flashy, splashy and alive, a actual sense of enjoyable percolates at the Hard Rock. This isn’t one of those casinos where everyone seems to be mindlessly pulling slots, no siree. Here, of us are leaping up and down, cheering and having a fuel.
I don’t know if everybody was profitable large at their respective craps desk but spirits appeared high for a large-scale room primarily based on probability.
Matt Levy
From there, I toured the space. For the next half hour, I wandered from the Hard Rock’s Jersey Room wanting back at greats from the Garden State like Bruce Springsteen and Lauryn Hill to the halls fitted with rockers’ gaudy outfits from yesterday.
It’s just like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame meets a playground for adults. With that, it was time to hit the sack.
The boardwalk
The next morning — after a great evening’s sleep — my daughter, spouse and I took in the seaside boardwalk, strolling from finish to finish, smiling ear to ear taking in all its breezy charms.
There had been runners, Guy Fieri chicken shacks and towering skyscrapers as far as the attention may see. Not a dangerous manner to begin the day or entertain a baby.
Finally, the three of us determined we ought to dip our toes in the water. I’m so glad we did. It was actually cold but also rejuvenating. This is precisely how you finish a journey, shells in hand, with a grin on your sunburnt face.
Matt Levy
Final verdict
Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is every little thing one may ever need or need from a resort. Their snug rooms, location proper by the water, numerous leisure choices and thrilling eateries didn’t make me really feel like I used to be at home…this was someplace higher, which is precisely why I need need to go back to the place with the large guitar out entrance.
I need to begin my go to from afar all over again.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post stay occasions reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the most recent tour bulletins from your favourite musical artists and comedians, as nicely as Broadway openings, sporting occasions and more stay reveals – and finds great ticket costs online. Since he began his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen live performance and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to identify a few. Please notice that offers can expire, and all costs are subject to change
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