With the January 2009 Beijing Collective now starving, Eric made the suggestion of The Apothecary. This is a type of place not usually frequented by BotF in the company of only male friends. Far too classy and cocktail focussed, however, it all turned out well. The only seats available were on the corner of the bar right opposite where the cocktail barman was in full cry. We ordered the fanciest beer on the menu.
Red Seal Ale is produced by the North Coast Brewing Company, which modestly boasts that it is “Home to the best beers in this world…or any other”. Their beers are good, and Red Seal Ale is a great example of an Amber Ale – great colour, very hoppy without an IPA intensity.
We could not be drawn away from the show the cocktail man was putting on. We perused his rack of little extras eg Vanilla Chilli or, as photographed, Sichuan Peppercorn Lime Bitters and watched him put about 8 ingredients into a drink. Plenty of flair and showmanship being displayed. We ordered one of whatever he had just made and received something that tasted like the world’s most intense liquid Jaffa – and that is a good thing.
Bring your wallet with you, but the Apothecary would be worth a visit with the missus for a pre or post dinner libation. The food was fine – but a little on the small side, given our state.
back of the ferry 