If you happen to stroll through midtown, somewhere in the fashion district between Herald Square and Bryant Park, and you hear joyous cacophony of rugby fans, and the aroma of meat pies, well, you did not just magically get transported to Sydney.  No, you just happen to be at one of the hottest and most exciting pubs in Manhattan, The Australian NYC.

So, what did I think of it?

I loved it!

This bar/restaurant in midtown makes Outback Steakhouse look like, well, Outback Steakhouse!  From the Australian ex-pat clientele, Australian flags, portraits of cricket players, not to mention rugby and cricket games on the many TV’s inside give this place a down-under, down-home feel smack-dab in the middle of Manhattan.

The Aussie ambiance isn’t the only thing this place is known for.  The food is really outstanding!  Whether you are looking for a nosh with your beer, a full-course meal, or you happen to be a foodie, the menu items have a little something for everyone.

For starters, bite into their signature kangaroo skewers.  Yes, that’s right; kangaroo skewers!  Australia’s most famous animal, is served up on a stick with julienne vegetables and a sweet and smoky tamarind sauce.  Before you think of wincing, understand that this has been a staple of Aboriginal diet for thousands of years.  Not to mention it is quite tasty; not at all gamey or chewy, but rather tender, like a medium-rare steak, with a just a little char on the outside for texture.  The sauce, however, sets it over the top.  It is a fruity and spicy sauce; sort of reminiscent of the sauce served over spare ribs at a Chinese restaurant, or a thicker version of A1 brand steak sauce.  By the way, don’t bother asking for koala!

The Australian NYC also offers a multitude of items that are considered genuinely Australian.  There’s the meat pie, which features a flaky crust stuffed with smooth ground beef and onion.  Though the size of the pie is rather small, more suitable as an appetizer, it is quite satisfying.  Be sure to eat it with one hand with a squirt of ketchup!

For the burger lover, try the Australian Burger (seasoned beef topped with bacon, beetroot, an egg, melted cheese, and a slice of grilled pineapple).  Eating this burger is indeed an experience; I found myself struggling to attack it from every angle.  Before this, I had never had a burger with this laundry list of ingredients.  I have to say, I’m glad I survived this ordeal.  I would have taken the egg scrambled, rather than over easy.

For the more adventurous, try the grilled kangaroo loin with seasonal vegetables or a giant piece of chicken schnitzel layered with Parmesan cheese.

For dessert, dig in to one of the two signature desserts of Australia: lamington or pavlova.  The former, is a moist piece of cake, covered in chocolate icing, then rolled in coconut, a filled with a mild fruit filling.  The latter, is a fluffy meringue served with whipped cream, seasonal fruits, and fruit-flavored syrup.

For those who love a good sugar rush, the pavlova is an experience.  Mine came with a peach-flavored syrup that was a real eye-opener!  As much as I love fruit and cream based desserts, I think I’ll stick with the lamington.

Until I get back to the Lucky Country, this place will be my home among the gum trees away from my home among the gum trees!  Minus the gum trees, obviously!

Be sure to swing by the place during rugby season; first Rabbitohs game starts March 7th.  Go Bunnies!

The Australian NYC:
Location:
20 W 38th Street (between 5th Av. and 6th Av.), NY 10018.  (212) 869-8601
www.theaustraliannyc.com