The house-made focaccia buns are the real stars of Apprentice Cafe’s superb breakfast sandwiches

In a crowded Calgary food scene, it certainly pays to occupy a solid niche. For Apprentice Cafe—a tiny Ramsay eatery with verdant views of downtown—that niche is the often-overlooked breakfast sandwich. Owner Rein offers nine such all-day sandwiches, including pulled pork and my expertly executed mushroom ($10.25), featuring goat cheese, caramelized onion, egg and black garlic aioli.

Apprentice Cafe owner Rein in his tiny Ramsay restaurant

But the real star of these breakfast sandwiches is the focaccia buns they’re cradled in. Inspired by the focaccia he encountered while working as a chef in Italy, Rein bakes a little loaf that’s golden on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.

Easily the best focaccia I’ve tasted. Too bad you can’t order it to go.

Apprentice also serves good Rogue Wave coffee and house-made small-batch ice cream. Its hot chocolate was recently named best in the city.

Apprentice Cafe
1024 Bellevue Avenue SE, Calgary
Opens 8 am Tuesday to Sunday and 9 am Monday
825-488-0887