Mel celebrates National Chilli Day at Hard Rock Cafe

Chillies bring up a real mix of emotions like few ingredients can. On this day these emotions came to the fore.

We booked into Manchester's Hard Rock Cafe with an eye on the Red Hot Chilli Menu - devised in honour of National Chilli Day. Reading the menu earlier brought about some strange emotions. The nerves were jangling at the sight of the words like 'nduja and Scotch Bonnet repeated throughout the menu. During the day these thoughts grew.

By the time we were seated in the restaurant we were wondering "was this really a good idea?"

By jove it was a good idea.



The atomic wings were chilli packed, the heat rising with every bite. The kitchen team decided they would leave the seeds in - bringing the whole flavour up a notch. No time for nerves to get in the way... they were just soooo finger lickin' good. Just don't stop and let the chillies catch up with you. Before we could wipe our brow the plate was empty.

The work-experience lad came along on this adventure - he likes simple things, not big flavours, and definitely not heat. We had been pushing him to try more things and this was to be the big challenge of 2017. Hats off... he stepped up, wing after wing demolished in glee. An atomic breakthrough!

The nerves were now gone. We strode confidently towards the 'Nduja Chilli Burger... "yes, atomic fries on the side please".



Put simply, an awesome burger. The half pound prime beef patty sat below a Nduja three bean chilli with its creamy molten cheese queso. Beautiful flavours in the burger and there by its side - the Scotch Bonnet salsa - how can you not dip in? The atomic fries came with a shake of spices and a kicker, deep-fried Jalapeño muddled in too.

Burgers eaten, fingers licked, brow wiped (again!) and high fives all round. The challenge was met. The work-experience lad had grown from scaredy-cat eater to chilli chomping lion. Time to wrap things up... there's no better way to do so in my eyes than with chocolate.



Molten Lava Chocolate Chilli Cake to be precise... yep, the chillies feature here too. Just a little nod this time though in the strawberry compote. The molten lava spills from the centre. The sponge soft, moist and warming. It is like a big cuddle to soothe the senses.

We'll be celebrating National Chilli Day every year from now on!

You still have a chance to dine off this menu this year though - its on until Sunday 26th Feb

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Posted: Thursday 23rd February 2017
ID: 3462 - 1833