You had me at Lemon Lime Bitters
β
β
I try not to be biased toward all things Aussie in NYCβ¦ but when the cityβs first Australian pub opens up just a 2-minute walk from my apartment? Of course I have to put my Little One in an Aussie rugby shirt for the occasion, right?!
βOld Mates Pub has opened up in the South Street Seaport.
Some random context as to why it makes me so happy...
The best advice another Mom gave me before I gave birth, was to choose a TV show to watch from start to finish. The plan was to turn that show on anytime I was doing the mindless baby things (i.e., bottle washing, feeding, laundry, the list goes on...), to help get through the days and nights those first brutal months.
I'll be the first to admit that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was my show, granted I blew through 11 seasons embarrassingly too hastily...
I quickly moved on to the show Offspring - an Australian dramedy (yes, you read that right, Australians make amazing drama / comedy shows). I adored this show and it made me incredibly homesick.
The number one thing that made me homesick? Seeing Mum's on this TV show bring their Little Ones (babies and toddlers!) to the pub!! It made me really wish there was a local pub close by to call 'home'. It only made it worse that Australia was on complete covid lockdown at the time
Enter Old Mates...
This Sunday, we got there at 4:10pm and got the last table in the restaurant! Keep in mind, it opened at 4:00pm...
To say it reminded me so much of home is an understatement. From the menu, to the vibe inside, it made me so happy. AND.... they make Lemon Lime Bitters (only the best, most refreshing non-alcoholic drink ever).
More importantly, there were a lot of other families with their Little Ones running around while the parents had a drink and caught up with friends. Exactly what I watched on Offspring and I wish I had those first months with a Little One.
It's clearly early days for Old Mates and they are testing out the kitchen / mechanics, but we had a fantastic time and can't recommend it enough.
What to order:
- Wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce
- The chips
- Parma and chips
- Lemon lime bitters
I appreciate that they kept the menu classic and traditional Aussie Pub.
I've been telling friends how I've really missed 'Sunday traditions', so now that I have a true local, I'll be instilling Sunday 4pm dinners at Old Mates going forward.
... you better believe you'll also find me sneaking out after the bedtime routine during the weekdays to eat at the bar by myself too!