I'll have mine on the rocks…

Twelve years ago George Hilder introduced the Hot Rock Dining concept offering diners a new and exciting experience in cooking and taste.

He called it "designed dining, a great adventure" and it has certainly taken on since.

While Wellington’s Club House Hotel has made a name throughout the region for the Hot Rock concept, Mr Hilder continues to extol the taste difference to everyone he meets and is now providing the sensational dining experience at eateries throughout Europe and North America.
Hot Rock Dining is now established in Canada, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"We are even establishing two separate venues at Disneyland in California," he said while visiting Wellington last week.
"We’re still only a young company but our plans for the next 18 months are to establish stand-alone restaurants around the globe," he said.

"It’s planned to have 200 restaurants in the UK, 800 in the US and 55 throughout Australia.

"There are 51,000 pubs in the UK and I aim to get Hot Rocks into 5000 of them in time to come."

Big plans but the product is great. You only have to ask the hundreds of diners who keep returning to the Club House for another steak cooked at the table on a slab of polished granite.

According to George Hilder, the use of stone or rock is not new.
"It goes back thousands of years where man took advantage of the natural ability of stones to retain and radiate heat.
"This made an ideal cooking source through a diverse range of cultures and civilisation," he said.

Special stone sourced from overseas guarantees the heat keeping qualities that enable a diner to cook red meat, fish or chicken to the desired taste requirement.
However, it’s the simplicity of the cooking process that satisfies diners.
"It’s a unique approach to dining," Mr Hilder said.

"Your customer enjoys the experience of cooking a meal to his or her satisfaction.
"The rock is on the table in front of them, they cut and cook their eye fillet or chicken exactly how they like it cooked.
"Each diner is their own chef and enjoys being around the table with their friends, enjoying the same experience."
"The customer is in control of his or her meal," he added.

Wellington Times, July 28, 2004

It's the hot spot to dine

Since the introduction of Hot Rock dining at the Club House Hotel, the Lee family have been overwhelmed by the positive response from locals and visitors alike.

The feedback has been outstanding, says licensee and patriarch Les Lee.

"People keep returning so they must enjoy the taste experience," he said.

The Club House has become a counter meal provider of note in recent years with Les’ wife, Lorraine controlling the quality and quantity served on each plate.

However, it’s the three-course entrée, main (Hot Rock) and desert at $25 a head served in the brand new Hot Rock Dining Restaurant that has really kept the family and staff on their toes each Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The restaurant is also available by arrangement for any size group’s special occasion outing.

It is wise to book in advance by phoning 6845 2017.

Wellington Times, July 28, 2004

Dining at the Prince Alfred Hotel puts a new spin on one of Mother Nature's earliest creations, the humble rock. Hot Rocks are volcanic stones that are heated and delivered to your table with a selection of fresh meats including steak, lamb, chicken or seafood. Undoubtedly one of the world's most frequently-used cooking techniques, utilising pre-heated stone eliminates the use of fats and oils, meaning you can enjoy 100 per cent flavour, 100 per cent of the time.

To further enhance your Hot Rocks experience, all meals are served with a freshly baked potato, coleslaw, garden salad and your choice of two delicious sauces.

For something more 'traditional', Plantations have launched a revamped menu featuring a mouth watering selection of meals and snacks. With The Big Islander Caesar Salad, Cyclone Chicken, Pacific Panini Grill and Jungle Manner adding a distinctive 'Gone Troppo' feel to a few old favourites.

Plantations is the ideal venue to warm up this winter and indulge in some fine summer dining.

But we all know variety is the spice of life and the PA's Swags is a fine example of this age-old adage.

Swags offers an ever-changing array of hot and cold dishes including, salad, pasta, pizza, ribs, roast meat and vegies along with a dessert bar and bottomless drinks for the kids.

The all-you-can-eat smorgasbord will satisfy even the biggest appetite and complements Plantations friendly table service with the convenience of ready-made meals for you and your family to enjoy at your leisure.

For plantations and Swags restaurant bookings phone the Prince Alfred Hotel at Brisbane Road, Booval on 3282 1577.