Your Snack Cravings Are Sorted With This Surry Hills Pub’s Cracking Aperitivo Hour

There are few better ways to kick off a night out than an aperitivo hour. You can’t go wrong with a snack plate paired with an excellent drink – especially at a Surry Hills staple.

We’ve teamed up with Red Rock Deli to throw a weekend-long aperitivo hour at neighbourhood favourite The White Horse.

We’re taking the decision paralysis out of food and drink matching by offering paired snacks and cocktails. From May 21 to May 24, the neighbourhood spot is serving dishes from the mind of executive chef Jun Hwang, all of which creatively incorporate the Deli Style Crackers by Red Rock Deli. Four food and drink pairings will be available from 3pm to 5pm on Thursday, and 12pm to 5pm from Friday to Sunday.

Korean-style fried chicken will get the Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream cracker treatment. Chicken is cracker-crusted and fried until crisp, dressed in a sweet chilli sauce, then finished with cracker crumb and spring onions, and served with more crackers on the side. This is served alongside a Margarita with lemongrass-infused tequila, juiced cucumber, habanero-infused agave, fresh lime and spiced salt. If you want to start your night with a spicy kick and tropical chaser, this one’s for you.

Cheddar & Parmesan crackers keep things simple but elegant. Go for a canapé-style plate of comté-miso mousse piped onto the crackers, topped with shaved brie snow. This is paired with a Dirty Gin & Tonic made with blue-cheese-infused gin, olive brine, Mediterranean tonic and olives.

If you like a combination of sweet and smoky, try Honey Soy Chicken crackers served with confit duck leg rillettes, hoisin and crème fraîche. This one is on the snackier side and comes with a Brown Butter Derby: brown-butter fat-washed bourbon, grapefruit, honey syrup, Angostura bitters, cinnamon and a grapefruit twist.

And if you feel it’s not a proper aperitivo hour without something more Italian, The White Horse has you covered. The kitchen tops the Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar flavoured crackers with stracciatella, balsamic-pickled cherry tomato and nori. It’s matched with the Caprese cocktail – tomato- and basil-infused vodka washed in olive oil, with balsamic vinegar, Bianco vermouth, and garnished with cherry tomato and mozzarella.

When it comes to aperitivo hour, there’s no question Italy does it best – but Sydney isn’t far behind. Grab your friends, order a drink and expand your palate at this beloved neighbourhood watering hole.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Red Rock Deli.