Libby Hobday

The Wombat is a marsupial native to Australia which is nocturnal and a vegetarian. Female Wombat’s have a pouch like a kangaroo. All wombat’s are big and fuzzy, and look cute and cuddly.

Last night I was feeling a little home sick so I headed out to Brooklyn to check out the Australian restaurant Wombat.

The conversation started off a bit dodgy with the waiter Garth, as when he told me he was from Sydney I asked if we could have another waiter. I don’t think Garth got the idea that people from Melbourne generally do not like people from Sydney and vice versa, or maybe he did and in a different environment there would have been a punch on? Come to think of it… that makes way more sense. Following that weird and awkward moment Garth told us that he has friends who are New Zealanders and I couldn’t help but throw a *sheep comment in - New Zealand and Sheep go hand in hand right?

Wombat was created a year and a half ago by 2 American guys Greg and Charlie who also own Cafe on Clinton in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Greg and Charlie both visited Australia and loved it so much, thus opening The Wombat Bar was an idea that manifested into what now stands at 613 Grand Street.

You will not find any kangaroo steak here (thank goodness) and from all accounts the food is delicious. From Spring Pea Soup to Ahi Tuna Balls to Lobster Griddle Cakes; there is something for everybody.

You will not find a lot of traditional Australian dishes on the menu that are really really Australian. The food choices are, more so, versions of Australian dishes. I think it is really hard to create a true -downunder- food vibe here in the USA due to ingredient restrictions. For example, if you did the “fish n chip” thing would you really be having flake? Although, I reckon a nice piece of Pavlova is possible, maybe that is something Wombat will make in the near future for a true Aussie vibe?

Tuesday night down at The Wombat Bar is huge, $13 lobsters and word on the street is that good ole Wombat sells 50 lobbies before 9 o’ clock (I am being neutral here as although I am a vegan I can appreciate that a lot of people love seafood). Tuesday is really packed so if you’re planning on burrowing down - go early.

Oh yeah and this was really funny: there was a “pissed as you like” guy at the bar chatting up the bar girl and, I kid you not, this guy said to the girl “If I was a women I would want a body like yours”. The same guy then ripped his wedding ring off declaring “This Doesn’t Mean Anything To Me I just want to take you on a date” (something to that effect). So the chick behind the bar is hot! Like all of us Aussie Chicks.

The pictures of Ayers Rock in Wombat made me happy and so did hearing an Australian accent, even if Garth was from Sydney!! He did live in Port Melbourne for awhile so that makes it okay.

Definitely go to Wombat it’s good times all around.

Oh Yeah and it is Cash Only!!

Youtube below of a cranky Wombat.

*** Highlighted Green Words Indicate the way we speak in the Land DownUnder, and are explained below.

** punch on - fight
** pissed as you like - really drunk
** flake - shark fillet served in proper australian fish n chips
**lobbies - short for lobsters
** Pavlova - Australian dessert of meringue, fresh fruit and cream

* There are 6 million sheep to 1 million human heads in New Zealand. This has been the but of jokes for many years in Australia.