Transforming an old warehouse into a bar that harks back to the golden age of wining and dining was clearly no mean feat but Apothecary, with its antique furnishings, marble floor, low lighting and beautifully restored pharmacy cabinets from which the bar gets its name, would not be out of place in Belle Epoque Paris.
The wine list is gargantuan. Order a Spritz to start off, if for no other reason than to buy yourself some time to absorb the myriad of options before you. It also happens to be the house favourite, so you can't really go wrong. Feeling a little overwhelmed? The staff here are very knowledgeable and only too happy to help guide you. The Woodstock 'The OCTOgenarian' grenache tempranillo and the Bernard Metrat Chiroubles Gamay were both excellent suggestions, as was a local riesling from the Good Catholic Girl vineyard.
If you are feeling peckish, the baked goat's chevre with seedless grapes and blanched almonds is delicately flavoured and arrives in very generous portions, as does the Persian feta. The lamb cutlets with carrot puree are tender and sweet, with a delicious tang provided by the accompanying anchovy, caper, rosemary breadcrumbs.
For something more substantial there is a restaurant in the stone basement, decorated by the 1,200-strong wine cellar encased in wrought iron against one wall.
Celebrating its tenth birthday next December, Apothecary has been setting the standard for wine bars in Adelaide for quite some time now, and the bar remains steadfastly high.