It wasn’t so long ago I attended the delightful comeback and opening night of a Queensland institution, Dandelion & Driftwood. A comforting and much-adored fully licenced café that had loyal followers from around the state eagerly waiting on the steps for the doors to open.
Dandelion & Driftwood or D&D, as it is fondly referred to, is the brainchild of the coffee sensation duo, Penny and Peter Wolff of Wolff Coffee Roasters who revel in being able to educate, immerse and spread their love and passion for coffee and tea flavour explosions.
Located at 20 Doncaster Rd, corner of Gerler Rd Hendra, inviting French doors welcome guests into a heart-warming world, pushing the boundaries of modern and old in both service, décor and menus.
Its interior is quirky contemporary heritage, tempering yesteryear elegance, with a mix of solid and fabric chairs, marble tabletops, vintage feature furnishings, old style lighting, sleek tableware.
D&D has a fabulous layout the way it has been broken up into four areas. A coffee/cakes dining area complete with fabric chairs, low tables and that famous D&D cake trolley, the inside dining room, an outside tea garden and the Cecil Ernest Private Dining Room that can seat between 8-14 guests. The private dining room named in honour of Penny’s Grandfather, Cecil Kroll, a former well-known mayor of Redcliffe.
It is understandable why they have loyal followers. Not only are Penny and Peter a delightful couple, their hard working effervescent daughter Xanthe is part of their team of hand-picked chefs who specialise in signature breakfasts including their old favourites, Dandy Man (corn and zucchini fritters, avocado with eggs) and Drifter Woman (old school potato rosti, smoked bacon with eggs).
Breakfast and brunch D&D style has some sumptuous nostalgic dishes such as First Crack, savoury cheese and chive waffle served with bacon, rocket and hickory smoked honey, Sensory Lexicon, twice cooked lamb with hickory and brown sugar bbq sauce served with slaw or Twin Rivers of Gold to name but a few. The lamb will be perfect as we move from Autumn to Winter and I hear their signature Sweet Waffle is a must.
After Dark cocktails (Thursday-Saturday evenings) present an expertly curated wine and beer list, and adventurous cocktails all served over an appetising dinner menu. Of course, coffee favourite, the Espresso Martini is sure to be a menu highlight.
Penny and Peter have crafted two signature coffee blends that will be completely exclusive to Dandelion & Driftwood. The Dandelion Blend focusses on the feminine and the delicate fruit and brightness that is memorable and comforting while the Driftwood Blend is more masculine in focus, providing a robust, earthy risky, action hero experience that focusses on a complete mouth explosion.
Brewed coffee options will also be a highlight offering four alternate filter brew: Samantha Brewer, Delta Press, Toddy Cold Brew and Bodum Immersion Brewing each served with high end filter roasted single origins exclusive to D&D through Wolff Coffee Roasters.
I cannot wait to attend one of their exquisite fanfare high teas with double decker food dishes laden with savoury favourites and cakes. But if you crave to taste their coffees and teas they offer a tasting card for every curious and expressive customer, all part of the D&D charm.
With their seven-day- a-week trading there are options to suit both mood and function.
Opening times
Sunday to Wednesday, 7am to 4pm and Thursday to Saturday, 7am to 9pm.
Breakfast, lunch and high tea are all on offer seven days a week. After Dark offering with full bar, cocktails and dinner menu is on offer Thursday to Saturday only.
https://www.dandeliondriftwood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dandelion.driftwood
Instagram: @dandeliondriftwood Phone: (07) 3667 8388
Opening night shenanigans
On the birth of her two grandsons, Ruth Greening experienced an awakening in her life and entering Gen GP (Generation Grandparent) she was given the moniker Nanny Babe as her ‘grandmother’ title. She found things had changed since her child rearing days, and an adjustment to new parenting concepts was required. Hence the birth of the Nanny Babe blog from a baby boomers perspective.
Ruth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Philosophy, completing this degree while working as a hairdresser and supporting her two children as a single mother. Ruth has worked in the corporate world for approximately thirty years and has recently retired to address her artistic passions.
She is experienced in senior management positions, marketing, modelling, commercials, film, community radio and writing.
Nanny Babe is active with her hobbies—fitness, writing, blogging, jewellery, crafts, singing, dancing, memoirs, mentoring and now faces diversity and self-discovery on her recent ‘retirement’ path. Connect with Nanny Babe on her blog – hit the link above!
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