The Brick Yard

Sometimes, good places are hard to find; best ignore the SatNav, rely instead on your instincts, and take a turn into what looks like a tradesman’s yard. At the far end you’ll spot a dark grey exterior with The Brick Yard painted in huge white letters. If you’re still unsure, take heart, for inside is a chic gem of a place (you’ll instantly forget you’re just off a busy road in Brighouse). Once a former double-glazing saleroom, it’s a welcoming space with scrubbed brick walls, chunky wooden tables and sparkling orbs hanging from the high ceiling. A menu arrives in quick order – it’s ‘small plates’ and despite being advised ‘three each’, we wanted to work through the lot. You’ll find the usual suspects (croquetas, ‘queenie’ scallops, kimchi chicken thighs) but seek out the likes of wood pigeon Kyiv (soft, gamey meat with perfect crunch on the crust and pickled blackberries as the ideal add-on) or the autumn-perfect tartiflette – artichoke, potato and raclette. But do leave room for afters, because you’ll regret not experiencing the aptly named ‘Crack Pie’, an idea stolen straight from a visit to the Milk Bar in Manhattan. The toffee-apple bread and butter pudding is pretty damn good, too. Also come for boozy bottomless brunches and the much-talked-about Sunday roast (aka the family-style ‘Sunday lunch club’) with its offer of Hereford beef striploin and outdoor-reared pork belly; booking is essential, they’re sold out weeks ahead. Service is fast and friendly, the wine list is concise and there are loads of cocktails. It’s worth getting lost trying to find this place, because it's tremendous fun.