SANDWICHES, COCKTAILS
Alumni bar offers up a concept
Jeremy Milligan has a mission: to introduce people to the concept of the “boozy sandwich shop.”
Milligan is the owner/operator of Alumni Sandwich & Liquor Bar, which opened on the main drag of 17th Avenue S.W. in May.
With nearly two decades of experience working at the front of house in other people’s restaurants (most recently at Briggs Kitchen + Bar), Milligan began dreaming up a simple but unique restaurant concept about five years ago. Basically, he wanted a place that put equal emphasis on high-quality house-made sandwiches and classic cocktail culture.
While the combination may initially seem odd (most of us tend to stick to sandwiches at lunchtime and cocktails in the evening), Alumni has already proven to be a hit. Located in what used to be Canada’s largest Subway restaurant (“I figured if Subway can’t sell sandwiches here, I can,” Milligan jokes), design firm Sarah Ward Interiors gave the room a retro diner feel that speaks to Alumni’s combination of style and simplicity.
Don’t expect loud colours and vintage Coca-Cola signs though.
The warm wood panelling and burgundy and mustard colour scheme read more “classic luncheonette” than something out of an Archie comic. There are 45 seats in all, including some comfy booths and a full-length bar with fixed swivel stools.
As for the food, it really is all about sandwiches. While the menu does have a selection of bar snacks, salads and soups, Milligan wanted his restaurant to be known solely for sandwiches, which he cites as being his alltime favourite food.
Chef Wall Wo, who worked with Milligan at Briggs and also in the kitchen at The Nash, has worked to create upscale versions of a number of classic sandwiches.
Alumni’s most popular sandwich is a surprisingly authen- tic slaw-topped Nashville hot chicken ($11), which is so spicy, servers have to offer a disclaimer when guests order it (it’s also available in a half-hot version for more timid taste buds).
Other standouts include a rosemary beef dip made with houseroasted eye of round and served with a rosemary-spiked au jus ($12), a chicken parm sandwich loaded with tomato sauce and lemony kale ($13) and a Mexican torta topped with chorizo and refried beans ($12), which is also available in a vegetarian version.
With the exception of the smoked meat on Alumni’s Rueben sandwich ($13), the proteins are all prepared in-house. Alumni doesn’t bake its own bread, but sources high-quality bread and buns from Lina’s and the Calgary Italian Bakery. Gluten-free buns from the local Care Bakery are also available for an additional $2.
The sandwich prices are decent for what are relatively large portions, especially considering the quality of the ingredients, but diners should keep in mind that sides such as french fries ($4), crispy house potato chips ($4) and pickles ($1) are extra.
There are also a couple of desserts on board, including cute (and delicious) individual apple pies, served à la mode with a drizzle of dulce de leche ($7).
Alumni’s cocktail program matches up with its sandwiches: everything is fairly straightforward, made with quality ingredients, and reasonably priced.
There are no $15 cocktails here; everything from the Oaxaca Old Fashioned and the classic Sazerac are priced at $10 or less. Alumni also boasts a selection of thoughtfully chosen beers and a short list of house wines (a “good” and “better” white and red, plus a rosé and a bubbly). Since the restaurant is kid friendly, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic drink options.
As an independent business, Milligan says he has intentionally kept things simple for the first few months to let the restaurant establish its identity. Expect new and increasingly creative sandwich specials in the coming months, as well as a growing selection of original cocktails.
Alumni Sandwich & Liquor Bar is located at 725 17th Ave. S.W. (403-455-7255, alumnisandwiches.com).
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
This year’s Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival drops into the BMO Centre on Oct. 12 and 13, with booths from more than 40 restaurants, 350 different wines (representing 20 countries) and 291 beers and spirits, all with samples to try.
It’s a great way to test local products such as chocolates from Calgary’s Cōchu Chocolatier, treats from Ollia Macarons & Tea, and Alberta raw honey “honeyshine” from Burwood Distillery, as well as imported sips like a pink gin from London and Chilean wine-beer hybrids.
Festival tickets are available at rockymountainwine.com.
Note that samples are not included with the price of admission — sample coupons can be purchased at the venue for 50 cents each. Every year the festival donates a portion of its profits to organizations such as Mealshare, the Calgary and Edmonton Food Banks, and culinary programs at SAIT and NAIT.