Here’s one jam you really want to be in
I first spoke to AnnMari Massihi-Sharifi and Nikoo Sharifi, owners of That's My Jam Sandwiches (TMJS) in August 2020. It was an upbeat conversation about their soon-to-open eatery on King William Street in Hamilton.
The pandemic, however, delivered many curve balls delaying their opening until May 2021. In the interim, they tantalized their Instagram followers with what was to come - and they did not disappoint.
For Nikoo Sharifi, the hospitality business was a bit of a departure. He had studied animation at Sheridan College and worked in the field for a decade until giving in to other interests. He joined his father who was running nationally franchised eateries, and learned the restaurant ropes. But for Sharifi, a cookie-cutter operation was not a good fit and his creative juices began to flow.
With his entrepreneur wife, AnnMari, they adopted Hamilton as the place to raise their family and spent five years talking about the concept that could make both their dreams come true.
Her story is about a passion for food which manifested at the age of three when she'd climb up to the counter and make scrambled eggs. She describes herself as food-obsessed - watching every program on the Food Network and devouring cookbooks. Her plan to complete culinary arts training was derailed by an injury, but with Sharifi, her ambition was within her grasp.
Their decision? Make fruit fusion gourmet sandwiches in a space with an artsy hip-hop vibe and a focus on jam. They share a Persian cultural heritage and Sharifi especially recalls the prominence of fruit and jams in the cuisine he grew up with. He stresses that their jams and compotes (fruit preserved in syrup) are unlike North American jams. All made in-house, they protect the flavour of the fruit by using cane - sugar or honey instead of refined white sugar - and there are no preservatives.
The couple stresses that despite the cultural influence, TMJS is not a Persian restaurant. Mind you, when they talk about cherry rice and chicken drizzled with pomegranate I wish they had these as occasional specials.
I enjoy sandwiches on fresh bread, especially when someone else makes it. We tried several of TMJS's popular menu items. From the Snacks menu, which includes Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, we shared the Onion Garlic Avocado Toast to keep us busy while waiting for our order.
12-grain toast is graced with seasoned cream cheese and avocado mash. The big hit with respect to presentation and flavour were the perfectly prepared caramelized onions. Next, we were presented with two sandwiches on brioche buns - one of my favourite sandwich breads.
The Bacon Jam Grilled Chicken Sammie delivered flavourful pesto-marinated chicken breast, garlic aioli, avocado mash, fresh arugula, blistered cherry tomatoes - and. of course. the made-in-house bacon jam. The other brioche bun - BBQ Pulled Pork Sammie - was filled with pulled pork in BBQ sauce, crispy onions, fresh arugula, dill pickle, ranch dressing and cherry compote. There was a lot going on in that sammie but it all worked and anything cherry" gets a thumbs up from me. That included the Black Cherry Boylan Soda.
From the Melts" section we chose a fan favourite - the Pineapple Hammer Grilled Cheese. The melt" is smoked Gouda cheese paired with Virginia ham and pineapple compote, best eaten piping hot and oozing from the grill. Pineapple also appears in the aioli that is served with potato wedges and seems to have replaced interest in ketchup as a condiment.
All sandwiches come with sides and we enjoyed the roasted potato wedges, sweet potato wedges and garden salad dressed with raspberry vinaigrette.
TMJS is not selling jams yet but may do soon and especially when fruits are in season. They are also planning a retail section with food to go and home meal kits.
In such a cheerful setting, it seemed appropriate to end with Hot Chocolate topped with homemade marshmallows. Because the server split it for us we missed the dramatic spillover but it was tasty. TMJS is licensed offering wine and beer. Until the current lockdown ends, they are doing only takeout and delivery.
The artsy" part of the TMJS passion project must not be overlooked. The heritage building space displays the work of local artists. Taking no hanging fee or commission from sales is just one of the many ways in which they are supporting the local arts community. Even Sharifi's artwork is displayed - most notably his yellow/purple rendition of Bruce Lee.
Local creatives are invited to run on-site workshops and masterclasses, although Sharifi stresses that the goal is not mastery of anything more than inspiring creative juices, having fun and building community. So far, these events have sold out and will resume when pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Inspire creativity" is their brand and mission reflected in the decor, music, design and food. They say no" to bland.
Diane Galambos is a food writer who shares stories and recipes at her blog kitchenbliss.ca. Follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/kitchenblissca
That's My Jam Sandwiches
51 King William St., Hamilton
289-389-3526
tmjsandwiches.ca/
instagram.com/thatsmyjamhamilton/
Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What you'll pay: Avocado Toast $9; Cherry BBQ Pulled Pork Sammie $13; Bacon Jam Grilled Chicken Sammie $15; Hammer Grilled Cheese $11; Boylan Soda $4; Hot Chocolate $6
Wheelchair access: Yes