americana, from the dining point of view, has always been B-I-G. like the nachos we had this afternoon.

the UK isn’t exactly big on american chains like malaysia. not really a great loss anyways, as most of the large portioned entrees are pretty much same-ish, as you can see in the menus of TGIF and frankie & benny’s. hard rock cafe started as a cafe in london but the general premise, food-wise, is distinctively american.

it was a glorious day to be out and we were in manchester chilling with luc, fadh and budin. the old gang from the christmas/new year period were together again, minus ninie, farah and dini, unfortunately. after a temporary setback at old trafford due to a puncture to the front nearside, we made our way to HRC at the printworks, rather ravenous. i would like to think the setback was more of a blessing, as we managed to get a table al fresco by a busy street but it was lovely to be out, nonetheless.

i once had their homemade nachos, shared with another person. not recommended. this time it was devoured in record time, most likely due to hunger more than anything else! one thing i learnt about eating at typical establishments like this is the limitations when you don’t eat… err, meat. whaddaya expect? this is the land of where half a cow constitutes a morsel of steak! so, for the ones who couldn’t had to be unimaginative and choose the grilled salmon, which was served with some penne, cheese sauce and spinach. despite my past bad experiences elsewhere, i still opted for the veggie burger and fries. arid, arizona desert burger is more like it and it made me wish i could order the legendary 10 oz. those who could (yes, luc, you!) taunted us and ordered steak (dude, which one did you have? the NY cut?).

food was lovely on the whole, although not exactly extraordinarily fantastic (c’mon lah, it’s a chain fer cryin’ out loud). HRC is more of a place that has a vibe to it, where you check out a myriad of memorabilia (some of which were downright disappointing, like this non-descript strat signed by members of pearl jam), to hang out with your mates and enjoy a drink or ten (i simply love their shakes – Haagen Dazs mali, apparently, and their soft drinks are bottomless) while listening to some good ol’ rock emanating from the wall-mounted plasma screens or otherwise.

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