If you’re looking for a sushi fix, delicious cocktails and relaxed vibe in Shoreditch, East London, then Apothecary Shoreditch has you covered. Inspired by the informal taverns of Tokyo, the Japanese Izakaya, Apothecary welcomes you to stay, drink and eat.
Located in a Victorian warehouse and once home to Angela Hartnett’s popular Merchant’s Tavern, the place feels lived in and buzzy. The bar immediately invites you to stop and drink a while, but since we had a table booked, we headed off to sit at one of the cosy, comfortable leather-clad booths, among large indoor plants. The place is dimly, but perfectly lit and has an established clubby feel.
The food is top-notch, beautifully prepared in the open kitchen, lead by former Villandry chef Jude Sam. Service is friendly but unobtrusive, which helps you focus on the plates of truly delicious grilled cauliflower with a black sesame sauce; succulent teriyaki chicken thigh skewers; spicy tuna dragon sushi roll; standout raw lustrous slices of Yellowtail with yuzu soy, truffle oil, jalepeño and coriander cress and mouth-watering pickled vegetables. There’s no formal order to the dishes, they’re served as they’re ready, and it works just fine as each dish is a pleasant surprise.
To go with all that food, there’s a creative cocktail collection, which means you might need to try a few. We started with the Zen Garden: Roku gin with green tea, shiso and lime cordial – a refreshing, citrusy gimlet-style drink. Moving on a little later to the Maiko: vodka, Triple sec with a beetroot and pomegranate molasses shrub and lime – a Sex and the City style drink, but bolder, richer and more complex.
While there were only two desserts to choose from, it seemed rude not to have both: a choice of the creamy Yuzu baked cheesecake, house ice cream or sorbet. We opted for the cheesecake and a scoop of heavenly Miso caramel ice cream – to share. The only downside, the ice cream was too good to share! But we will definitely be returning, to try more dishes, more cocktails and to spend some time at the bar before dinner and stay a while longer.
Along with excellent food and drink and their Weekend free-flowing brunch, Apothecary also has live DJ’s every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight – whether its Disco, Funk, Soul, 80’s vibes, Old School or Electronic music, there’s something for everyone!
36 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3PG