The Clock Hotel on Crown St in Surry Hills appears to have something for everyone. A beer garden for the outdoor drinkers, balcony for the people-watchers and the Lounge Bar for eating pizza.
We start our evening with a 2012 Chalmers Vermentino from Heathcote, Victoria, that’s traditionally served as an aperitif. It pairs nicely with a share plate of olives, chorizo and feta served with warm chargrilled sourdough bread. The piping hot, flavoursome olives are a gateway to the zingy, spicy chorizo and the soft, creamy feta that follows. And the wine, well it’s the kind you can drink all night- perfectly balanced, not too acidic, with a long finish and a nice aftertaste.
Next, pizza! Tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella sounds a little boring but tastes anything but. The crust is beautifully crunchy and topped with ripe, juicy tomatoes with light, melt-in-you-mouth cheese.
A 2012 Chalmers Lambrusco sparkling red, again from Heathcote goes with our pizza. It looks like Ribena – but is the perfect match for the rich flavours of the pizza. Let’s rename this drop Regina George, because it’s lethal, but looks sweet and innocent. Also because it’s really sparkly.
The potato, bacon, taleggio and rosemary pizza is a hit amongst the group but my favourite pizza topping is pork & fennel sausage, artichoke and mint. Vegos never fear, there’s pizza for you too, topped with mushrooms, pumpkin, zucchini and treviso.
Slow down on the pizza? Never! We push through for the sake of salty Sopressa salami, eggplant, peppers and roasted onions matched with a glass of 2009 Chalmers Lagrein from Heathcote.
Several glasses of wine late, we have run out of pizza and the talk has turned seriously wine-y. Time to waddle down the stairs. Gelato Messina anyone?
A pizza at the Clock will set you back about $17- worth every cent. You can pick up bottles of all the wines mentioned above from the Bottle Stop section of the hotel to enjoy at home. See, something for everyone!
The Clock Hotel
470 Crown St, Surry Hills
http://www.clockhotel.com.au