Angela Schmickl

A Laidback Suburb Of Sydney Wants This Local To Share A Large Secret Dear Michael, In the charming riverside suburb of Oatley, you’ll find a restaurant that churns out the best gourmet pizzas in Sydney. As soon as you walk into the restaurant, the lively atmosphere awakens all your senses. Other diners are having a great time, the wooden paneling adds warmth and appeal, and the lighting from the gold lamps enhances the mellow intimacy of the small space. There’s the sound of the pots and pans clattering in the kitchen and the exuberance of the other diner’s, as well as the sounds drifting in from the pub. You get a quick preview of what to expect by the enticing dishes passing by as the other table is served and it all looks, smells and tastes unlike anything you have ever ate before. The pizzas are original. The ingredients, fresh and the toppings: are well… irresistible. Year-round, the garden provides a subtly lit sanctuary. Here, it’s more private so you get the space to catch up with your partner or good friends. It’s also the social core of Oatley. A lot of people mingle here, and if you’re single, expect to meet the man or woman you were meant for. It’s where you start or end an affair, share occasions, buy your friend dinner to show that you care, a place to commiserate, celebrate, or retreat to. It’s where good friends spend time together away from the confines of four walls. It’s not uncommon for locals to say “Hey, let’s go to The Clock & Oyster and order a Gucci.” This is local-speak for: let’s GO to Sydney’s best gourmet pizzeria and ORDER a gourmet pizza topped with Italian sausage, marinated artichoke, char-grilled eggplant, sun dried tomatoes and ricotta cheese. How about an Elle, named after Australia’s most famous supermodel – Tandoori, chicken breast and tomato base? Topped with cashews and cucumber yoghurt. The restaurant attracts loyal and frequent visitors. Once you try the gourmet menu at The Clock & Oyster, you will want to come back. Reading the menu is just as entertaining as eating at The Clock & Oyster. “The Clock & Oyster” is a fresh tomato, oyster, spinach and bacon gourmet pizza topped with Worcestershire sauce. Overheard on recent visits to The Clock & Oyster… “By far, one of... if not the best Pizza in Sydney!” Gianna W, New South Wales, Sydney 9 January 2006 “A very good place to eat. Friendly staff and excellent food. Combined with the Oatley Hotel atmosphere, it makes a good eating night out.” Adam F, Western Australia, Perth 2 May 2006 “Fantastic! Attached to a great local pub. Great atmosphere, great food, especially for a Friday night after work.” Oliver T, New South Wales, Lismore 3 July 2006 Your Choice of Over Twenty Toppings To Eat And It’s Always Changing There are over 20 unique combinations you can have on your gourmet pizza - that you’ll find no place else - but if you don’t like what’s on the menu, you can request the BIG DADDY of them all – which is a selection of five ingredients – and it’s your choice. When you glance over at the chalkboard you’ll be able to view the “Specials of the Day”. These are always changing and featuring new dishes such as chicken and corn soup as well as new gourmet pizzas. Delicious Pizza for Dessert The desserts are just as mouth-watering as the main courses. There is Banana Butterscotch. Or Apple Crumble & Custard. What about Chocolate & Mint? Not in a parfait glass. BUT served on a succulent pizza base! The dessert pizzas use the same pizza dough as a base as the main course options do. The name, “The Clock & Oyster” breathes the history of Oatley. The clock stands proudly as the town’s centerpiece. It’s located on Frederick Street, not too far away from the restaurant. The clock was erected by the community of Oatley on 29th October 1983 as a monument to James Oatley. He was a colonial clockmaker and past owner of the land named after him. Encased in brick, the clock face has Roman numerals which are what James used in the clocks that he made. This suburb certainly knows the time, as the giant clock bongs on the quarter, half and full hour. The oyster in “The Clock & Oyster” refers to Oatley’s local industry. They grow naturally in the riverside. Twenty three ‘other-than-pizza’ affordable and tasty dishes to order If pizza isn’t your thing: tonight, or ever – you can order a: Pasta Carbonara with bacon, onions, mushroom and garlic cream sauce or Char grilled baby octopus with Mediterranean dressing or a Grilled market fish served with your choice of seasonal vegetables and baked potato or chips and salad. This is what just some of The Clock & Oyster diners have to say: “The restaurant is perfect.” Lorna E, Queensland, Brisbane 2 February 2005 “A gourmet meal. You will want one each !!” Angela D, New South Wales, Sydney 13 September 2004 “Rob makes a great pizza!” Jayden C, New South Wales, Hurstville 26 March 2004 “After reading other reviews decided to try out for myself last weekend. It was a nice evening for a few beers and the highly recommended pizza. The pizza was yummy and we were happy to find a nice pizza in the south. All round honest meal. Pizza slightly pricey. Recommend.” David A, South Australia, Adelaide 26 March 2004 The Italian Burger is served with a beef patty, grilled eggplant, artichoke, capsicum, sun dried tomato, onion and olives finished off with chunks of feta cheese and rich, homemade tomato chutney. Grip the burger with both hands to chomp into the inch thick beef patty which rests on a bed of cold cucumber and rocket and is topped by caramelised onion, grilled eggplant, artichoke, capsicum, sun dried tomato and olives. Once you finish the burger, you can then begin to eat the salad that spills onto the plate. Your date can enjoy the T-bone steak served with a choice of seasonal vegetables and baked potato or chips and salad. It comes with a selection of Dianne, Pepper, Mushroom or Garlic Butter sauce. In autumn, seasonal vegetables are snow peas, carrots, potatoes and broccoli. I’m no culinary expert, but when making pepper sauce, isn’t there a danger of adding too many peppercorns? Not at The Clock & Oyster. The chef doesn’t overdo the Pepper sauce. The ingredients combine to create a superb tasting sauce without that throat tickle you get from swallowing TOO MUCH pepper. The servings are generous and you’ll struggle to finish your meal. Prices are reasonable, with all of the mains costing under $AUD 20.00. Other meal choices include: Garlic prawns in tomato sauce, Cannelloni filled with spinach & ricotta served in a tomato basil sauce, Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese and Grilled chicken breast fillet served with mustard sauce and avocado, vegetables and baked potato. And there’s more, but I’ll leave it up to you to discover the other items on the menu. Australian-award winning wines The Clock & Oyster as a part of the Oatley pub is fully licensed to sell alcohol which means diners must buy their drinks at the pub. Oatley pub stocks Australian award-winning wines such as Jacob’s Creek, Poet’s Corner and others. It also has the best Aussie beers including Victoria Bitter, Toohey’s New and Crown lager as well as a wide range of spirits and popular mixed drinks. Order a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2003 from Australia’s most successful wine enterprise and a winner of several awards like the Monde Selection – Belgium. For under $AUD 15.00! “Too often when eating at a pub, you have to listen out for your number to be called, go up and get your food (and cutlery, etc), push through a crowd, and return to your table hoping that it hasn't been taken over by other people. Not at the Clock and Oyster at Oatley Pub. Place your order and sit back and relax until your food arrives. The staff will even find you if you are out the back of the beer garden, and will deliver your food promptly. This is so easy but too many pubs can't seem to do it (Como pub for example, walking up and down stairs as your food falls off your plate). As for the food, the pizzas are amongst the best I've ever had, and I've eaten them in numerous countries. The rest of the menu is equally good. Actually, I don't know why the owners don't start their own "stand alone" restaurant, and give the average pub the flick. They deserve to succeed.” Jed T, New South Wales, Sydney 4 February 2006 Or what about a: Poet’s Corner Henry Lawson Shiraz 2001 -- highly commended wine at the Sydney International Wine Competition 2004 – and from historic Mudgee, which is well known for its fine wine and also as Henry Lawson’s hometown. Henry Lawson was a famous Australian poet who was around in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. So…to experience ‘the best gourmet pizzas in Sydney’ served with your choice of Australian award-winning wines in a low-key restaurant with reasonable prices and great atmosphere, come to beautiful, historical Oatley. Hey, but don’t drive there, walk. Amongst wide tree-lined streets, peaceful parks and past that famous clock. Hear the distant buzz of people in their homes – and hardly a car goes by. Walk too far and you’ll hit one of the bays that surround this riverside suburb. After a busy day, this is the therapy to have. Unwind in relaxed surroundings, with quality food that is good for you. Bring your family and meet up with your friends. Be the ‘rowdy table in the corner’ that’s having a good time. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm till late and Sunday, 12.30pm till late for both lunch and dinner. Winter Wednesday Free Drink Offer! Book now to be one of the first thirty diners to receive a free glass of wine, beer or soft drink with your meal at The Clock & Oyster. This offer is only valid on Wednesdays, during winter. Sincerely, Angela, P.S. The Clock & Oyster is a large secret of Oatley because only the locals and their guests know about The Clock & Oyster. Not many people pass through Oatley and that’s part of the attraction of this laidback suburb - it’s a place that’s unlike any other in Sydney. “Went there for a party and had a great time. Coming out satisfied and full. Pizza's have unusual names eg: Gucci, John Paul. I recommend 'Elle'. Good value.” Geoff L, New South Wales, Parramatta 29 March 2005 “Best pizzas in Sydney without a doubt. Great relaxed atmosphere and friendly people. Couldn't fault it, especially on a Friday night which gets quite lively.” Sandra L, New South Wales, Gosford 10 October 2005 “Pizza's are top shelf. Try the Hoffman (Spicy beef). Kick on into the pub or eat in the beer garden. Very relaxed.” Kane D, New South Wales, Lake Macquarie 4 June 2006 “Has become one of our favourite, variety and quality of food exceptional - relaxed fun place to go with a group or family. Having the bar next door allows you a choice of drinks and makes for a great night out.” Magda E, New South Wales, Sydney 4 January 2006 ******************************************************************************** Exclusive One Time Only 50% Off Bonus Offer! Reserve a table now and ask to receive 50% off your bill by calling The Clock & Oyster on Ph:-. ******************************************************************************** This exclusive offer is only available to you, just this once, and is nontransferable. If you decide not to accept this offer, please do not pass it along to anyone else. Thank you. The Clock & Oyster is located at 2 Oatley Avenue, OATLEY.