When you eat one nearly every day for lunch — sometimes as your sole break from work — the sandwich becomes very important. You begin to understand that building a great bread meal requires ingenuity and artistry. The folks at ALLEY CAT CAFE & CATERING (11804 Shelbyville Road, 245-6544) appreciate this notion and have perfected the art of assembling creative sandwiches using house-baked breads, spreads and other ingredients.
A must-try among the 10 tasty sandwich selections at this tiny Middletown eatery, located in the Village Square Shopping Center, is the Roma panini ($6). Roma tomatoes and artichokes are cocooned in warm, melted Brie and delivered on a rosemary kalamata olive bread. A pesto mayo adds a touch of tang that contrasts with the sweetness of the artichokes and richness of the Brie. The flavorful bread stays crisp despite the oozing goodness inside.
Another savory masterpiece is the hot Madeira roast beef ($7). Served on grilled French bread, it features thinly sliced roast beef baked with a Madeira wine sauce and topped with sauteed portobello mushrooms, roasted red pepper and mild provolone cheese. All sandwiches are accompanied by a choice of broccoli salad, Italian pasta salad or a Caesar red potato salad. The latter is a nice spin on the classic, using new red potatoes dressed in a Caesar dressing with red peppers, Parmesan cheese and green onions.
Alley Cat is open for lunch only Monday through Saturday.
