Moss & Moor
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
The trend for restaurants at garden centres shows no sign of abating. Just outside Ilkley, this light, stylish Scandi-inspired café is one of the latest versions, serving up a fresh, ingredients-led menu. Chef Kevin Gratton has moved on, but nothing else has changed: Sam Walker continues to run the kitchen and Annie Cansick has taken charge of front of house. And of course, cunningly secreted among the obligatory cheese toasties, fish-finger sandwiches and afternoon teas, are a handful of standout dishes. Steamed kale hearts with toasted hazelnuts is packed with flavour, and as pretty as a picture. An innocent-sounding mushroom and spinach tart has exquisite pastry stacked with creamed spinach and shot through with wild mushrooms ('simple but sensational'), as is a classic beef cheek, long-braised in locally brewed ale with bashed neeps – so 'outrageously glossy' you can cut it with a spoon. A bowl of chickpea and yellow split-pea dhal with crispy fried egg is gently fragrant and brings a cheerful pop of colour. Linger for a faultless espresso and a St Clement's posset. On a fine day, take to the terrace with the mighty Cow & Calf Rocks as a backdrop – a rendition of On Ilkley Moor Bhat ‘at is optional. Breakfast/brunch features the likes of eggs Benedict with Lishman’s dry-cured bacon and Clarence Court eggs washed down with a Bloody Mary.
Dining Information:
Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly, No reservations
Coutances Way, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 7HQ
01943 663699
