Friday 5th of June 2009 12:29:19 AM

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After my earlier trip to Harmon, the Rock was a very pleasant surprise. I didn't know it was a chain and I thought the name was "Rock Wood...". So I was surprised to find it was call "The Rock" (wood-fired pizza...) and was more like a Hard Rock Cafe if Spinal Tap had done the decor... or better yet Dethklok. Very amusing!

The beer was was much more varied than I had expected with 6 regulars (including a porter) and two seasonals, one of which was a double IPA. With the same party of six that went to Harmon we made it through every beer they had (except the Light - never bothered). All in all - very enjoyable! Especially the seasonal IPA.

As I said the atmosphere was straight out of Metalocalypse, Metal - in a hilariously cheesy way. It was very appropriate actually. Probably not a place to take the kids for some chicken strips. You go there because it's loud, it's neon it's metal and it thinks its cool (again... cool like Spinal Tap).

The servers were a lot of fun and fit the atmosphere well. They were also very familiar with the beers they offered.

The food was really quite good. I described this as like a "metal" Hard Rock Cafe - except a Hard Rock Cafe with really good food! We tried various appetizers (garlic mozz bread - excellent!), pizzas and calzones. All of it was very good and I'm sure it all did its part to deliciously move us towards early cardiac disease.

In summary: a fun, slightly Metal themed, and thoroughly enjoyable evening out.

Rock on...

Friday 20th of June 2008 12:41:51 PM

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As you enter you will see the smallish curved concrete bar on your right. It seats about 10 and there is more barroom seating at 1/2 wall near the bar. The rest of the place is restaurant.

It has very high ceilings, exposed brick, and black exposed ductwork. It’s kind of an industrial look with a rock & fantasy theme. Note the red lights that add some visual interest.

Classic rock on the sound system. Volume is a bit high for conversation.

Menu is lots of pasta and pizzas. All the pizzas are named after classic rock songs (Saturday Night Special, Bat Out of Hell, Meaty Meaty Big and Bouncy, etc). They also offer a lunch buffet for $8.79 or $9.99 with a brew.

7 regular beers (also named after rock songs) with a couple of guest taps and 2 specials.

Very friendly bartender adds to the enjoyment.

Sunday 2nd of September 2007 07:03:40 PM

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The pub no longer brews it beer. Fish Brewing in Olympia supplies the suds.
While there, they had an IPA tasting w/3 samples from Stone Brewing in Escondido, Great Divide in Denver & Avery in Boulder.
Ruination (Stone) - 100IBU's &7.7%ABV /bracingly bitter / a "brutal massacre of countless hops"
Hercules (Great Divide) - 85IBU's & 9.1%ABV w/a thick, gold head & not for the faint of heart which "delivers a hugh amount of floral, citrusy & piney hop aroma & flavor. Not for me. Really tasted the alcohol in this one. Not pleasant.
Maharaja (Avery) - 9.78%ABV completes the trio of so-called "Dictator" series of beers including Kaiser & Czar. A gold-orange color w/a good, full head this IPA wasn't like sucking on a lime but still delivers an intense taste w/a bit of honey on the back.