GOOD MEAL, MATE

MARCI

Jeremy and I have already eaten at restaurants representing different cuisines from five of the seven continents.  So, it was time for us to sample the culinary skills Down Under:   we headed to a cute little spot in Nolita called Eight Mile Creek.  

There are about 13 restaurants in the city that serve Australian-style food however Eight Mile Creek seemed to have the most versatile menu -- offering both savory traditional dishes and modern fare.  I called in advance to see if they were serving kangaroo but apparently it is not a politically correct dish these days.  No marsupials on the menu!   That being said emu carpaccio was, so we booked a reservation.  Guess no one cares about a big bird.

Greeted by some of the friendliest staff we've come across, Jeremy and I felt at home the minute we heard the words, "Good Evening, Mates."

JEREMY

I thought Australian food was going to be a lot like English food because the English sent their prisoners to settle in Australia back during colonial times.  But in reality it's more like American food.  In fact, this was my favorite restaurant that my mom and I have eaten at.

My mom ordered Cooper's Sparkling Ale.  I had a little sip and it was good.  Me, I ordered a Coke.  For appetizers, we ordered emu carpaccio with rocket (arugula), black truffle oil vinaigrette and edamame.  I never had emu before or carpaccio.  But I figured if emu was a favorite food of the Aborigines, I might like it too.  I couldn't figure out the taste but then I realized it reminded me of roast beef.  I would eat it again if it was served to me but probably wouldn't order it again.

We tried the "Mini Me" Pastry Plate, a savory dish of mini meat pies, sausage rolls and veggie pasties.  Meat pies and sausage rolls are fast food items in Australia but they're far from junk food.  The meat pie was a flaky pastry dough with ground beef and the perfect amount of gravy.  The sausage roll was better than a pig in a blanket and the veggie pasty, well, not as good.  This was my favorite dish. Next time, I want to order the full size meat pie: no minis for me.  My mom told me there's a place on St. Marks Place called Tuck Shop that serves Australian Pies.  I definitely want to go there.

Then I had an Australian Lamb Rack -- three small lamb chops served with mashed potatoes.  It tasted like  any good lamb chop from America to me.  My mom ordered Barramundi, an Australian cod.  She said it was delicious.  I didn't like it much but then again, I don't like most fish.

For dessert we had Triple Chocolate Cake and a famous Australian dessert called a Lamington.  Lamington is yellow cake dipped in chocolate and coconut with jam in between the layers.  Both desserts were pretty good.

Would I go back to Eight Mile Creek?  Definitely.  Next time, I want to take my dad.

MARCI

I hadn't really given much thought as to what authentic Australian food would taste like.  Somehow I pictured a lot of grilling on the barbie.  Like Jeremy I was pleasantly surprised to have such a nice meal.  I must agree that the meat pie was really outstanding.  It was the perfect balance of meat to pastry to gravy.  The lamington desert was also quite tasty. For sure, I'd recommend Eight Mile Creek:  a fun little spot with good food and friendly people.

EIGHT MILE CREEK
240 Mulberry Street
New York, NY  10012
www.eightmilecreek.com

a thumbs up, according to Jeremy is 3.5 out of 4 stars