New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Kuro at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Ranked Nationally No. 1 Hotel Restaurant by USA TODAY 10BEST

originally published: 08/21/2025

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City's Japanese craft kitchen, Kuro, was recently honored with the title of USA TODAY 10BEST'S Best Hotel Restaurant. The restaurant ranked in the top three in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. USA TODAY 10BEST nominations are carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10BEST editors before being voted on by the public.

Led by Executive Chef Leslie Daniel, Kuro features contemporary artisanal dishes using locally sourced and imported ingredients directly from Japan. Menu items boast complex and balanced flavors that are designed with sharing in mind. Menu items include premium grade sushi, sashimi and hand rolls, A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef, a variety of Robata Charcoal Grill skewers, and delectable desserts. Designed to accommodate all guests, Kuro also features a selection of gluten-free and vegan dining options.

Kuro's bustling beverage program includes handcrafted cocktails using fresh ingredients in modern recipes with hints of classic flavors that are divided into five sections based on the five basic tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami. Guest favorites include the sweet cocktail, Shi, made with blackberry jam-infused tequila, ginger, and pineapple and the salty Pinku, perfectly balanced with vodka, mezcal, watermelon, lime, and ichimi salt.

"We are so proud of Executive Chef, Leslie Daniel, Kuro's General Manager, Samantha Phommalyia and our incredibly talented Kuro team for achieving this prestigious honor," said George Goldhoff, President of Hard Rock Atlantic City. "The team at Kuro consistently stands out for their culinary passions and commitment to creating a truly unique dining experience for our guests."

Chef Leslie, affectionately referred to as "Chef Too Hype" by his team, is a beloved member of the Atlantic City community and frequently participates in local charity events including the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City's Let's Get Cooking event and ACCC's Annual Restaurant Gala. Chef Leslie has also been featured on The Food Network appearing in "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing" and "Guy's Grocery Games," where he was crowned the winner.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Along with the regular menu available Wednesday to Sunday, Kuro invites guests to experience a "Taste of Kuro" every Thursday. Expertly curated by Chef Leslie, "Taste of Kuro" a $65 five-course tasting menu featuring Miso Soup, Eda-Shi platter with edamame and Niwa salad, Wagyu Gyoza, Chicken Yakitori, Soy Lemon Salmon and more. Additionally, Kuro offers "Sushi Sundays" each week, an Omakase-style menu featuring a chilled tasting of Toro Tartar, Salmon Bowl, Hamachi Pepper and Ceviche, specialty rolls, sashimi and more. Reservations to dine at Kuro are recommended and can be made at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW YORK, NY) -- New York City's 41st Annual April Fools' Day Parade returns on April 1, 2026. In an era when truth is optional, elections are negotiable, civil rights are conditional, and reality itself has been rebranded as "fake," the parade once again pokes fun at the past year's displays of hype, hypocrisy, deceit, bigotry, and downright stupidity because the alternative is despair.
Holocaust Survivor Maud Dahme to Share

Holocaust Survivor Maud Dahme to Share 'A Survivor's Journey' at Ocean County College

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Holocaust survivor, educator, and New Jersey resident Maud Dahme returns to the Ocean County College campus on Thursday, April 9, 2026 to share her story of being hidden by Christian families as a child in The Netherlands during World War II. This event is open to the public and admission is free.
MPAC presents An Evening of Alton Brown

MPAC presents An Evening of Alton Brown

Tickets range from $57-$230 (All fees included) and are available for purchase online. Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is located at 100 South Street in Morristown, New Jersey.
Stockton Arts and Culture Summit Expanding to Two Days and Two Locations

Stockton Arts and Culture Summit Expanding to Two Days and Two Locations

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Stockton University's annual Arts and Culture Summit will expand to two days this year and will host events on the school's Galloway and Atlantic City locations.
MPAC

MPAC's annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with Free Presentation of National Geographic Live! - Rise of T.rex

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with a free presentation of National Geographic Live! - The Rise of T.rex on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30pm. Tyrannosaurus Rex is the most famous dinosaur out there, but few people know the true story of this species. This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of BASF.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival to Take Place April 19th

Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival to Take Place April 19th

(MANAYUNK, PA) -- The largest food event in Philadelphia - and one of the largest food truck festivals in America - is back and bigger than ever! StrEAT Food Festival returns to Manayunk on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Over 85+ of the region's top food trucks and food vendors will line historic Main Street for the day, serving up menus that range from savory BBQ and global street food to decadent desserts and sweet treats.
Passage Theatre to host 41st Anniversary Gala at Trenton War Memorial on April 25th

Passage Theatre to host 41st Anniversary Gala at Trenton War Memorial on April 25th

(TRENTON, NJ) -- To celebrate the culmination of their forty-first season, Passage Theatre, the only professional theatre company in the city of Trenton, will host their annual fundraiser gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Trenton War Memorial. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Roselle Park Arts Festival returns April 25th

Roselle Park Arts Festival returns April 25th

(ROSELLE PARK, NJ) -- The Roselle Park Arts Festival, a free community-wide celebration of the arts, will return Saturday, April 25, 2026, bringing artists, live music and family-friendly activities to downtown Roselle Park.
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Headline 2026 Stars on Ice Tour

U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Headline 2026 Stars on Ice Tour

(NEWARK, NJ) -- U.S. Figure Skating returns from Milan with one of the most decorated American teams in Winter Olympic history. The 2026 Stars on Ice tour will bring the opportunity to celebrate their achievements to Newark on Friday, May 1, 2026 for a 7:00pm performance at Prudential Center.
2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Jersey's most anticipated wine festival is back! The Fourth Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Veterans Island in Cooper River Park. Hosted by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Visit South Jersey, this exciting event will bring together the finest local wineries, live entertainment, delicious food, and derby-themed festivities.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS







 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info