LOCATIONNear the Brisbane River end of Racecourse Road in Hamilton
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAPizza is just shy of being granted Australian citizenship due to our deepest infatuation for this magnificent creature. But it seems there is often a gap between the rubbery offerings of “1300-dial-a-pizza” places and more opulent, “hand over your gold Amex and currently-fitting jeans for a slice” kind of places. It’s time to look outside the pizza box! Hamilton’s Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar has kneaded together the wining elements: high quality gourmet varieties, impressive topping selections, healthy alternatives ticked by the heart foundation, friendly service (and delivery options) and fair game prices. The pizza dilemma has been solved.
You can play it safe with the customary options like the run-of-the-mill Hawaiian, but this is a time when it pays to live a little (and try a little). Sample the “Philly steak” with Black Angus roast beef, both fresh and roasted capsicum, caramelised onions, mushrooms and double mozzarella topped with Dijon mustard and wilted wild rocket. There’s an epicure Mexican creation with chorizo, Spanish onions, roasted capsicum, jalapenos and chilli on a refried bean base, topped with fresh avocado salsa or an icon in both taste and imagery – the “shepherd’s pie” pizza with a white cheesy base, slow-cooked braised lamb in a red wine sauce, potato puree, garnished with a parmesan crust and parsley. Using top quality cheeses, only the freshest vegetables, herbs and premium meats, Gourmet Pizza Bar just made pizza a bit better.
Katharine Chapman