Hard Rock Hotel & Casino / Ocean Resort Casino Atlantic City

Ocean Resort Casino announced on Twitter it will offer free self-parking all summer long (through September 4th.) That should help them attract some people in.

Here in the NYC media market I'm seeing TV ads for Ocean Resort announcing the June 28th opening. They seemed pretty determined to come out swinging despite all the problems jerseynj listed. Have yet to see any mass market ads for Hard Rock tho.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has put their most of their restaurant line up on their website. It appears they are missing their quick serve options (White House Subs is returning! As well as a Starbucks and others.) You can find the restaurant line up here.

Some noteworthy items are: Il Mulino is returning. That wasn't even hinted at previously but quite a welcomed surprise. Il Mulino has been nothing but perfection every time I visited during its run at the Taj, so I hope it will return in the same fashion. Council Oak Fish will be a fresh seafood focused spin off of the popular Council Oak Seafood & Steak restaurants that are located at the Seminole Hard Rock Florida properties. Hard Rock Cafe will be open 24/7, which is awesome. Kuro, another transplant from the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, is high-end Japanese fare. Think of it as Hard Rock's take on the popular Nobu restaurant concept. The Sugar Factory was named most instagrammed restaurant in the United States - and for good reason. While their lunch and dinner menu is relatively average, people come there for the over-the-top desserts and cocktails. They're known for their King Kong sundae which includes 24 scoops of ice cream. It's something you just need to see to believe. If you're diabetic, I'd skip this one. Finally, the Fresh Harvest Buffet will be open daily for brunch and dinner. If this buffet is half as good as the Fresh Harvest Buffet at the Tampa property, the Hard Rock will have the best buffet in AC by miles.

Currently, you can make reservations for Council Oak Fish and Kuro on their website (link provided above.) I will be trying at least three of the restaurants there during their opening weekend and will be providing reviews in this thread of my experiences.

Edited to add: this Eater Philly link. They did a very nice write up, and you can even see a picture of one of the interesting drinks found at the Sugar Factory.

Quote: Jmarch79

Finally, the Fresh Harvest Buffet will be open daily for brunch and dinner. If this buffet is half as good as the Fresh Harvest Buffet at the Tampa property, the Hard Rock will have the best buffet in AC by miles.

Can you elaborate on what makes the Tampa buffet so good?

The best buffet I have ever been to was Caesars Palace in LV. Is the Tampa buffet better than that?

Bellagio for me is a close second because I love self-service drinks at the Coke Freestyle machines. I wish Borgata would add those to its buffet.

Quote: sodawater

Can you elaborate on what makes the Tampa buffet so good?

The best buffet I have ever been to was Caesars Palace in LV. Is the Tampa buffet better than that?

Bellagio for me is a close second because I love self-service drinks at the Coke Freestyle machines. I wish Borgata would add those to its buffet.

No, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa's buffet isn't near as good as the Bacchanal at Caesars Palace. I am not a huge buffet guy, but what I loved about HR Tampa's was they had several action stations. At these stations a chef prepares the items fresh for you: (grilled steaks, sliders, pasta, omelets, salads, raw bar, hibachi, sushi, noodles, dim sum and crepes.) The problem why I am turned off from most buffets is the food sits too long and therefore isn't great. Having it made fresh fixes that problem.

Side note: I am a fan of the self-service freestyle machines as well. HR Tampa did not have them.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is now taking credit applications online here. I filled one out a couple of weeks ago that my host e-mailed to me. Let's just say they're being very generous for those that opened lines and have a good history with using credit at other properties. I also like how simple they've made it on their website - you can even electronically sign.

As typical with most (if not all) casino properties, you will be able to wire in front money if you prefer. Just like their Florida properties, they are using Bank of America.

Quote: AxelWolf

I'm already disappointed after seeing the carpet in the sports book. That makes me think they are going to change the entire decor and feel of the casino. That's one of the things I liked best about the casino. It was just a cool impressive place when it opened.

Ultimately I don't care what casinos look like as long as they offer +EV plays, but it's always a bonus if I'm impressed with everything else while I'm there.

Axel - where did you see the sports book -- I only saw a video of them building it - not that it was completed (I'd always assumed they would finish construction before putting the carpeting in -- dust and all)

Quote: aceofspades

Axel - where did you see the sports book -- I only saw a video of them building it - not that it was completed (I'd always assumed they would finish construction before putting the carpeting in -- dust and all)

I thought someone here posted an article about their new sportsbook and there were pictures of the sportsbook and you could see the ugly carpet.

Not sure why I care about the carpet or notice it at casinos, but for some reason, I do but not enough to give it much more thought again after the first time. I dislike loud busy ugly carpet, especially floral patterns.

Quote: AxelWolf

I thought someone here posted an article about their new sportsbook and there were pictures of the sportsbook and you could see the ugly carpet.

Not sure why I care about the carpet or notice it at casinos, but for some reason, I do but not enough to give it much more thought again after the first time. I dislike loud busy ugly carpet, especially floral patterns.

I believe I posted a video and it showed the casino carpet - which is now an orange/yellow/blue color but the sports book is going to be where THE SOCIAL was and that had hard floors, not carpeting

Quote: AxelWolf

I dislike loud busy ugly carpet, especially floral patterns.

Then you must really dislike the Borgata. Probably the ugliest casino carpet I've ever seen.