The Apo
690 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
theapo.com.au
The Apo is the latest venue from the Moubment group, the Brisbane operators behind Gerard’s Bar and Laruche.
Set in a heritage-listed building from 1862, The Apo’s name takes its cue from when the site once housed Apothecary Hall. Sure, there’s some big time history there, but this restaurant bar isn’t doing faithful recreations of long lost potions; instead, on the drinks list, they’re taking an innovative approach to classic formulas.
That’s no doubt due to the personalities behind the bar, a team lead by Perryn Collier and featuring Daniel Gregory (ex-Black Pearl) and Alex Boon (ex-Jahh Tiger).
The cocktail list is seasonal and changes every other week (a Cherry Smash, with fresh cherries, sherry, maraschino and citrus caught our eye) though we suspect the Apothecary Bloody Mary (unfiltered vodka, porcini and wild mushroom, herb, spice, and tomato) will be a mainstay. The construction of the cocktails are classic, but as Collier has made a habit of, you can expect some interesting flavour combinations. The Fig 20th Century, for instance sees the classic ingredients of gin, citrus, Lillet Blanc and white cacao joined with fresh fig; the Yin Yang, on the other hand, throws together rum, pineapple, citrus and agave with black tea and white soy.
There’s also some killer bar food to go with the high standard of drinks: yes you can order share plates of lobster with brioche, chives and an egg emulsion; there’s clams, oysters, potted duck meat — all the good things to eat.
