If you’re looking for a Calgary restaurant that will suit any occasion, look no further than Alloy. The menu alone speaks to the owners’ love and passion for the place. Alloy restaurant’s retro-stylish interior is in stark contrast to the industrial neighbourhood where it resides, which makes stopping in seem like you’ve found a hidden treasure.
The menu at Alloy combines international influences with some of Calgary’s local favourites. For a starter, diners can sample the Indian Butter Prawns with chilli pepper, fenugreek and crispy papadam, or the Mussels and Chips with tomato jalapeno broth, fingerling potato chips and yuzu aioli. Many of the appetizers are served as mains on the lunch menu – to the delight of this reviewer. Even the worst day is sure to improve when punctuated with a serving of Duck Hot Wings with sambal honey glaze and coriander sour cream.
The mains at Alloy are widely varied to satisfy different tastes. For the seafood lovers at your table, either the Roasted Halibut with grilled prawns, green curry risotto and lemongrass coconut cream or the Lobster Fettucini with Atlantic lobster meatballs and cherry tomato cream sauce are sure to be an instant hit. The Pork Tenderloin is flavoured with Asian flare by the addition of togarashi maple glaze, red lentil puree and basmati rice croquettes. The vegetarian main worth noting is a Stuffed Poblano Pepper with zucchini, butternut squash, ricotta, mascarpone and avocado cream.
You’ll want to finish your meal with a delectable dessert, and the choices at Alloy will end your stay on a high note. Just as with the appetizers and mains, the dessert offerings feature global flavours combined in unexpected ways. The Lemongrass Panna Cotta is one of Calgary’s most intriguing desserts. This traditional Italian dessert is given a twist by the addition of lulo jalapeno, mango habanero and guava chilli.
While we encourage frequent trips to Alloy for cocktails, we also suggest getting tickets for one of their five course “Dinner for a Cause” events. Alloy Restaurant, 220 42 Avenue SE, Calgary. 403-287-9255.