Home Sweet Home, So True, So True

As an avid supporter of all things 80s (let me clarify..all of the GOOD things that came from the 80s...like your truly) I am always delighted when I am reminded of the good old days. For example, when I dined at ellabess Restaurant a few weeks ago, they played an INXS song as I was seated. I like to think that it was in my honor but probably not. I had the same pleasant experience when I went to local Nolitan bar Home Sweet Home last night.

I had heard of the bar but didn't know what to expect. I am wary of the super-trendy spots where the bouncer picks and chooses who gets in. I find that once you are one of the chosen people, you are let into an empty swanky lounge and left to wonder what the point in all of it was. But I digress. Home Sweet Home was nothing like that. The bouncer was very friendly, a quality rare in a doorman- guess he didn't get the memo-  My friends and I went down some stairs and what did I hear? INXS! And after that? Fine Young Cannibals! Now, I know I'm aging myself but it was a great time. The crowd was young  and hipstery but without the too-cool-for-school vibe. The bar itself it a bit divey but in a good way, not in the now-defunct CBGBs way. Lots of taxidermy sprinkled about the place, with loungey chairs and chandeliers.

Home Sweet Home

Well drinks were $6 which is a plus in a $20 martini world we are living in these days. There was a long bar with attentive bartenders, a DJ spinning tunes after my own heart and a lighthearted dance party on the dance floor.

TP in the bathroom too. Score!

For the record, it's not always an 80s dance party at Home Sweet Home. They have live music, a revolving list of DJs and drink specials depending on the day. I say, if you're looking for a low key night, certainly not quiet, but casual and easy breezy, then Home Sweet Home is definitely worth checking out. 
http://homesweethomebar.com/

Not your Eminem's 8 Mile

After the rain settled down a bit, I joined some friends for dinner and drinks at Eight Mile Creek, an Aussie Bar/Restaurant at 240 Mulberry (between Spring and Prince). There is a large bar downstairs that was can be rented for private events and other times shows rubgy matches and such. There is also a garden area in the back that I was unable to enjoy due to the floodgates of rain that opened onto NYC.

Restaurant Bar Area

The restaurant upstairs was warmly lit and playing a good mix of music, including one of my faves, Nouvelle Vague (if you don't know them, you should. They do awesome jazzy renditions of oldschool punk songs. In a good way. http://youtu.be/UwStijuJmZ0). The bar and tables were pretty packed so we squeezed in at the bar for a couple of drinks. The drinks were pretty standard fare, no frills but a full bar with wine/liquor and beer on tap.We moved to a table in front after a while to order some food. We decided to be adventurous and order some of their more typically Australian dishes, starting with Kangaroo! The Grilled Kangaroo skewers were served cold and with an Australian Pepperberry Ketchup, a bit sweeter than the standard condiment. The kangaroo was good and tasted like most meats, most similarly to lamb I'd say.  

Dining Area

We then shared a massive burger with "The Lot" which means it's topped with grilled pineapple, bacon, a fried egg and a beet. Not to be eaten at every meal but a treat to be tried! The side of sweet potato fries was probably the most delicious side of fries I've ever had. They give you a heaping pile and drizzle it with a thai sweet chili sauce and creme fraiche. Super good and we probably ate more then we needed to!

Left to Right: Burger with "The Lot", Sweet Potato Fries, Kangaroo Skewers

I was stuffed to the limit so I did not partake in the dessert festivities but my friends did and thoroughly enjoyed the typical Aussie sweets of a Pavlova (described as a meringue with passion fruits) and a Lamington (a sponge cake filled with strawberry jam and topped with a chocolate ganache with coconut shavings).

Dessert!

All in all this was a great casual and somewhat different place to hang out. The music, drinks, food and atmosphere were all enjoyable. My experience with Aussies is that they have a great energy about them and this definitely showed through at Eight Mile Creek.

Quick, paraphrased interview with the staff:

What is your name? Ravi

Profession at Eight Mile Creek?  Bartender

How long have you worked here? 8 years

Are you Australian? No, Malaysian

In your opinion, what has changed in Nolita in the past 8 years? The area has definately gentrified and it's less edgy than it used to be.

What do you like about it? All of the bars and restaurants that have opened up in the area 

What do you dislike about it? The tourists, the annoying ones, not all of them.

Where do you like to eat around here? Emporio (Italian restaurant at 231 Mott)

Drink? Spring Lounge (48 Spring Street) on Weekdays and Sundays, otherwise it's a bit too Frat House for me. And Peasant downstairs (194 Elizabeth), more locals go there then the restaurant upstairs.

Most Aussie drink you have at Eight Mile Creek? (Georgia, the Australian waitress piped in) The beer we have on tap, Coopers, is very typical of Australia

What is your favorite dish here? The lamb ("Rack of Aussie Lamb with Rosemary and Garlic Mash and Shiraz au jus")
The most popular? The Meat Pie ("Classic Aussie Meat Pie")
The most authentically Australian dish? Kangaroo! And the desserts, the Pavlova and Lamington
Do you take reservations? Yes

http://www.eightmilecreek.com/