Japanese small plates to pair with every occasion
This late-night Tokyo izakaya-inspired bar and restaurant serves punchy cocktails and delicious Asian plates to the sound of a live DJ playing every Friday and Saturday night. Apothecary East, found just off Great Eastern street, is a round-the-clock hotspot. A free-flowing bottomless brunch on the weekend draws in a party crowd, some pop by mid-week for a speedy sophisticated lunch, and in the evenings it’s a great place to bring the parents or book for a chilled-out supper with friends. Interiors are minimal and urban – exposed brick walls, dark green leather booths, tall palms, and a U-shaped bar which can be glimpsed from the street, drawing in those just looking for a late-night tipple.
Dishes are cooked in the open kitchen using traditional Japanese cooking methods. Sushi, bao buns, skewers cooked on a robata grill and Japanese snacks make up the made-to-share menu. To start, salted edamame is essential, and we suggest a roll or two of sushi for the table. From the hirata buns selection, we loved the smoked pork belly – succulent and oozing in gochujang and lime mayo. From the grill, we recommend going for the house selection – three skewers of chicken thigh, sweet potato and pork belly. As for sides, it’s hard to choose – miso glazed aubergine, prawn tempura, karaage fried chicken and smokey tender stem broccoli were stand-outs. Sophie Knight
Address: Apothecary East, 36 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PG
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