Each ridge and narrow bridge

I apologise in advance for the money you will be forced to spend after reading this review. The plane tickets, the train bookings and the coach fares will be inevitable.

Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

Sowerby Bridge is a picturesque village situated approximately halfway between Leeds and Manchester. The market town is nestled alongside the rushing River Calder and is made up of true story book visuals. Cobbled lane ways meet narrow passages amid historical churches, chimneys and shop fronts. Sowerby Bridge is a charming location sure to enchant most. Sold? OK. Well what if I throw in a world class, vegan restaurant?

The Dandelion & Burdock restaurant is in a class of its own. This outstanding vegan eatery fronts onto the main street of the town and backs onto the river. The location is unrivaled. A window seat affords you a dazzling view of rapids, geese, old stone buildings and iron structures. The interior is calm with a hushed ambience often unseen in restaurants. And then there is the food.

Breakfast Potatoes

Stuart, Josh and Bobby had joined me for the special Saturday menu and every single one of us left beyond satisfied. Stuart and I both opted for the Breakfast Potatoes. A description of this dish couldn’t be loaded with enough superlatives. It was perfect. Savoury vegan sausage was accompanied by mushroom, spinach, peppers and wedges of irresistible potato. Impressed with the fresh avocado, I pronounce this dish to be the finest vegan breakfast I have experienced.

Artichoke Dip with warm bread and salad

A starter was shared between our mains. A toasted spinach pita was accompanied by a mixed baby leaf salad topped in a lemon dressing. This dish also featured an amazing cream cheese and artichoke dip that perfectly complimented our warm bread. The presentation was phenomenal with this and every other dish. With an open kitchen, I could see the lemon dressing being lovingly drizzled across the salad.I’m starting to get a bit emotional. Let’s continue.

Sausage and Mushroom Wrap

Josh opted for the Sausage and Mushroom Wrap. His wheat tortilla was stuffed solid with vegan sausage, mushroom and red onion. The wrap could be accompanied by either salad or new potatoes. Carbs won the vote. The potatoes were cooked to perfection and flavoured with mixed herbs and cracked pepper. Josh volunteered the following description for this post, “The sausages were delicious combined with succulent mushroom and red onion, all in a soft, fresh wrap.”

Ice Cream Sandwich

Time for dessert. I had the near impossible task of choosing between Chocolate Fudge Cake, Lemon & Raspberry Sponge or Ice Cream Sandwich. How often do you see a hand-crafted, ice cream sandwich? My choice was made. This sweet dish featured oatmeal, raisin and chocolate soft-batch cookies with vanilla ice cream as filling. A sweet chocolate sauce and confectioner’s sugar were used for additional taste and presentation.

All of this magical food was almost too much for my fragile FGV constitution. A stiff breakfast cocktail was rushed to my lips in an attempt to regain my poise and decorum. Fresh cranberry and orange juice met vodka in a liquid work of art. It was a divine Madras.

Madras - vodka, orange and cranberry

Peanut butter milkshake

Stuart went for the slightly healthier but equally delicious option of a peanut butter milkshake. We were both beyond pleased by our choices. If I hadn’t been in polite company, I would have made an afternoon out of the Dandelion & Burdock drinks menu. Every item in the eatery, including all drinks, are completely free of animal products.

Have I convinced you? Every Saturday has its own unique brunch menu. During our visit, we could have enjoyed bagels, tortilla soup, meatless loaf, white bean chilli or hoisin stir fry. I am curious as to how I would handle being confronted by the excitement of the full dinner menu. They would need to order in plenty of vodka, orange and cranberry to steady my nerves.

Visit Dandelion and Burdock - you will be nothing short of thrilled