Food Guide 2018: Apothecary 1978

IF it’s atmosphere you want, this Hindley St bar and restaurant has it in spades.

The Dispensary champagne bar at Apothecary 1878, Adelaide.

118 Hindley St, city, 8212 9099

theapothecary1878.com.au

• Open: D 6pm-late Mon-Sun
• Bill: E $16-$22 M $28-$37 D $14
• Chef: Mirco Ruthoff
• Wine: By the glass 28@ $8-$25, by bottle $35-$1878
• Corkage: $25

One of Adelaide CBD’s first and finest wine establishments, bypassed perhaps in the public eye by the noise surrounding many new-gen small bars, the Apothecary stands out with its sophisticated dining offer that covers the full gamut of contemporary eating arrangements alongside its foremost raison d’etre as a wine-focused, champagne and cocktail venue.

Spaces inside range from a unique dispensary bar and lounge to a downstairs brick cellar for Friday-Saturday only dining, while the back courtyard (for snacks and nibbles) has a quirky historic inner city vibe.

The menu has moved towards a more Oz-modern meets Euro/French bistro approach that allows you to eat smaller serves casually beside your drinks, or go for a traditional three-course meal or take on a range of shared chef’s dining experiences. Whichever it is, don’t miss a chicken liver pate, bacon jam and small oat cake for starters or delightfully cooked duck breast. Pressed beef cheek and salsa verde will satisfy bigger appetites.

The dessert menu is worth special mention ranging from excellent cheeses, small Steven ter Horst artisan choc-delights, dessert cocktails and trad sweet dishes. And then there’s the wine, Champagne, beer and cocktail list, creatively curated by Paola Coro, that’s worth the visit on its own award-winning merits.