Did you guys know I'm obsessed with brunch at Parc (warning: link to an OLD post!)? I think I've mentioned it a few times :) There's just something magical about the combination of delicious food, authentic atmosphere, and really great service (something you can always count on at the Starr establishments). Just a few blocks down the street, another Starr spot delivers an equally magical brunch experience: the British-style pub, The Dandelion, provides a very fun experience with delicious eats.
When you're catching up with a few girlfriends, an order of scones for the table is a necessity to start ($9.25). Round, dense, and crumbly, they're pretty darn near perfect (minus those pesky raisins, which I admittedly childishly picked around). The house-made raspberry jam was a key component, adding a bit of bright sweetness and additional moisture to each bite.
We split a couple of dishes between the two of us since we struggled to decide what to order from the fairly expansive menu- always a problem with us. The English Breakfast ($16) is filling enough for two, since almost every item on the plate is particularly hearty. It includes two eggs (any style; over easy for us), a fat, juicy Cumberland sausage link, baked beans, crispy bacon, fried brioche toast, a small side of roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, as well as a piece of black pudding (for the more adventurous of us.. not my favorite). That's a heck of a lot of food! I might be one of the few people I know who actually wants to eat baked beans in the morning-- I think I'd fit in well in England.
To accompany that hearty breakfast dish, we also split a bowl of the fresh tomato gazpacho, which I don't believe is currently offered on the menu-- it's such a summer dish! It was a wonderful counterbalance, with lots of acidity and nice garnishes of crispy toast with olive tapenade, watercress leaves, and some high-quality olive oil. Super refreshing and light, and can I please comment on how adorable the china is?
Another super popular dish at The Dandelion is the burger, which both of our friends ordered. I've actually reported previously on the burger (found here), which has gone through some transformation since that first visit long ago. A little pricier at $16.50, but a LOT better. This is definitely one of the best in the city, with all of the best burger components served just right- a buttery bun, shredded lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, bacon, pickles, and a "Churchill" sauce (alright, that's a new one).
The burger comes with a cute little tin of triple cooked "chips" or thick steak-cut fries (my favorite!). Even though there are so many authentic British dishes on the menu, this burger is seriously worth an order here.
Although I didn't fall in love with The Dandelion when I first went for dinner (almost three years ago), I'm completely sold on the brunch experience. The intimate spaces and bright sunshine streaming in the bay windows is a completely different atmosphere than the dark, "pub-y" nighttime vibe. Take your girlfriends, your mom, or your lover here for brunch, and pretend you've woken up in England if just for a couple hours.
The Dandelion Pub
18th and Sansom Streets
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