Pizza, Burgers, and Poutine, Oh My!
Guess who’s back? The First Alleyway, among the most celebrated debuts of the past years, brought Canadian gluttony to Gwangju, turning a remote alleyway in the downtown area into a happening, hot food destination.
A few months ago, Michael Simning and Tim Whitman who are the visionary “couple” behind the place and co-owners of the beloved and late Underground Grocer’s, finally revealed The First Alleyway’s brand new location and opened its doors. They’ve moved from their small, two-story madhouse to a much more spacious and quite sophisticated space just on the other side of the original locations’ alleyway wall. Gone are the long waits for a table and the manic kitchen’s short-order quarters. The atmosphere is vibrant, casual, and happy. The menu is smaller these days, and the food is excellent.
“The Alleyway,” as people usually call it, has become a much more friendly and relaxed place. “The first First Alleyway was never intended to be a busy place, more of a hang-out place,” said Simning. “The second floor was intended to be a pub only. It was also really uncomfortable for everyone. This place is way better. We’ve became kid-friendlier and I think it’s great!”
“Plus side is, I don’t have to run up and down those stairs anymore, downside that was my only form of exercise” said Whitman.
The food! Yes, the menu is smaller, but it is growing. “We want to make comfort food that we know we make really well, we will start building from there,” said Simning. This is a model all restaurants should go by but don’t. Make what you love, make what you know, then take your time building from there.
The Alleyway kicked off its grand opening with their pizzas – savory, flavorful, crunchy, with perfectly-placed meats that are usually sandwiched between good quality mozzarella cheese and zesty sauce. Then it introduced beautifully seasoned, juicy burgers which are never overcooked and feature the most magical cured pork cuts, bacon and good ol’ American yellow cheese between two sesame seed buns. Then the Alleyway unleashed Canada’s beloved “fat kid” food, Poutine. While original Poutine is made with French fries that topped with gravy and cheese curds, the Alleyway has added ham into the mix, creating Montreal Poutine.
For now, while the menu is small, the crew is taking requests and suggestions as long as they don’t have to climb over mountains to find one particular ingredient. They have heard the cries of the Gwangjuians for lighter and healthier options, including vegetarian options. They are also serving their breakfast menu on Sundays. Most recently, they have introduced “Moons Over my Hammy,” which is a grilled ham, egg, American cheese and Swiss cheese sandwich served with fries and a bottomless cup of coffee. The menu does change and they do have specials every now and then.
Along with the comforting food comes a comforting cold glass of craft beer. The Alleyway has been introducing new brews into the mix. One in particular that made a strong impression was the Jirisan Moonbear IPA. After it came Halla Mountain Golden Ale and Geumgang Mountain Dark Ale, all made in South Korea. However, there is one drink that many people in Great Britain, North America, and South Africa crave and that is proper cider. The Alleyway has welcomed not one, not two, but three delicious South African Ciders: Hunter’s Dry, Hunter’s Gold, and Savanna Dry.
Simning and Whitman’s love and passion for food is evident in what they produce. The customer can taste this in the food and feel it in the atmosphere. Everything they have created came from this passion for food. This is how one creates a successful business: by doing the things you want, you love, and hoping people will follow. The benefits are not limited to the patrons:
“This place …. doesn’t make me sad,” said Simning. “The other one did. This new space has actually helped improve my mental health, greatly! It’s all new for everybody.”
The First Alleyway
Address: 충장로3가 37-2번지 1층
Stand with your back towards Migliore. Across the street from Migliore, there is a road with shops for pedestrians to the left. Walk down that road, The First Alleyway is just after Atrium.
Public Transport: Geumnamno 4-ga subway and bus stop
Open: Wednesday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday 5 p.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday 12 p.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (breakfast from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)