The former Caos Café has finally seen a fitting takeover with huge wine bar and restaurant, Stem.
The revitalisation of the CBD’s West End is seeing uninhabited spots quickly fill with prospective businesses who have unique ideas for venues.
Fittingly, the empty space which held Caos Café was taken on with business partners Tom Paxton, Lachlan Farmer, Chris Farmer, and Paul Barber. Leaning onto that foresight and buying the space outright.
Paxton, a doctor and former co-owner of the much-loved Bank Street Social, is no stranger to the hospitality industry and Stem is looking to be a very impressive Hindley Street feature.
With a fit out by BTF Constructions, the large space, which has a capacity of 160, has been divided into sections.
With the original brick walls and facade of the 1901 building exposed and contrasted with smooth concrete and wood elements, Stem stands out as extremely unique in the CBD’s west end.
Partly due to the plethora of plants that cover every unused inch of space.
The venue is split distinctly into sections, booths outside on both Hindley and Register Street, a function space featuring wall art by artist, Nicole Black, booths, stools and large tables for groups as you enter. It’s evident that Stem is looking to appeal to a wide range of patrons.
“The venue is a five-minute walk from the recently redone RAH and the Uni SA campuses,” Paxton says. “It’s an energetic, bustling precinct and we’re thrilled to be part of it.”
The collective has appointed a Mike Proud, formerly of Osteria Oggi’s brigade, as head chef who describes the primarily mediterranean menu as “generous and rustic. Food that is delicious rather than unnecessarily fancy.”
Lots of share plates, Italian influences, pastas, gnocchi (all made fresh and in house) as well as Jake Houghton taking care of pizzas with Stem’s huge imported oven.
The venue also features a specialised wine cellar with storage for over 1000 bottles and helpful staff on hand to offer advice and tastings.
“We want Stem to be both high quality and accessible,” continues Paxton.
Stem is located at 188 Hindley Street Adelaide.
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