Dandelion & Driftwood

Dandelion & Driftwood, a Brisbane institution, is back after a brief hiatus with a brand new cafe offering D&D's signature breakfast and lunch dishes, along with exquisite high tea and After Dark delights.

Perched on a leafy corner in Hendra, near the cafe's original location, the re-opening of Dandelion & Driftwood in the inner north suburb is steeped in history and sentiment.

Inside the charming corner cafe, the decor is chic and modern - think marble topped tables and fabric chairs - with vintage accents and polished floorboards.  Patrons can sit in the light-filled dining room, as well as al fresco on a petite patio, or on the footpath with their four-legged friends. The cafe also boasts a private dining room that can seat up to 14 guests; perfect for high tea and other special occasions. 

The breakfast/brunch menu includes some old D&D favourites such as First Crack (savoury cheese and chive waffle served with streaky bacon, grilled tomato, hickory smoked honey, cream cheese and chives), Dandy Man (corn and zucchini fritters with free-range eggs and avocado), Drifter Woman (house-made potato rostis, bacon, eggs and fresh spinach), and Second Crack - thick waffle topped with toasted macadamia, drizzled with creamy caramel fudge sauce and served with vanilla bean ice-cream.

Lunch options include the above plus delicious salads, house-made popcorn chicken and salt and pepper grilled calamari with spinach greens, cherry tomatoes and truffle oil. 

On Thursday to Sunday evenings, D&D offers an After Dark experience - dinner and drinks including an expertly curated wine list, craft beer, and delectable cocktails like the Driftwood Espresso Martini, Pina Colada on Doncaster, Hendra Mojito, and the Inkredible Pleasurable, crafted with botanical Ink Gin, tonic water, egg whites, rosella dust and edible flowers.

As for dinner, patrons can expect chef-prepared classic dishes with a creative twist, such as Sunday Roast (roasted chicken, creamy corn cake, tricolour carrots, mini asparagus and D&D's signature jus), Sausage Fest (trio of pork sausages, asparagus and baby beetroot with a hearty smoked capsicum sauce), and So-Fish-Ticated (chef’s choice fish of the day, banana tartare, baby beets, broccolini, coconut puree and tropical curry foam).

For the ultimate indulgence, you can't go past D&D's high teas presented on an old-fashioned cake trolley, served with tea, coffee, or as the cafe is licensed, a glass of prosecco, sparkling rosé or French champagne. Served on a three-tiered stand, high teas include ribbon sandwiches, mini savouries, pretty pastries, fluffy scones with jam and cream, and a selection of dainty treats like lemon curd tarts, caramel tarts, frosted cupcakes and more. 

The cafe's owners, Penny and Peter Wolff of Wolff Coffee Roasters, have created two signature blends for D&D:  Dandelion blend and Driftwood blend. Otherwise, customers can sample single origins that are exclusive to D&D through Wolff Coffee Roasters.

Besides coffee, there are 21 loose-leaf teas from around the world supplied by Tea Drop, Peruvian hot chocolate, French mint hot chocolate, Sicilian orange hot chocolate, fresh juices, smoothies, milkshakes, thick shakes and old-fashioned soft drinks like sarsaparilla, creaming soda, lemon lime bitters and ginger beer. 

By Deb Lidster