For anyone with a sweet tooth, Clifton Cakes is like falling asleep and waking up in heaven. The smell of chocolate greets you as you walk in through the door, there are cupcakes and chocolate cakes, pictures of chocolates and cakes on the walls, and a whole host of chocolate truffles, buttons, sprinkles, and Christmas decorations to buy.
Chocolate boutique and workshop Clifton Cakes is the newly-opened base of Bristol chocolatier and specialist cake maker Frances Cooley.
Rising demand for her hand-made goods meant more space was needed for production, so Frances has left her home workshop in Glentworth Road and opened this new base that doubles as a workshop, shop and cafe.
Like something from Willy Wonka’s factory, nothing is as it seems in Clifton Cakes. See that cheeky shark bursting out of frothy water on top of a plinth by the counter? That’s a cake. And those ruby red glass slippers in the window? They’re made of chocolate.
Chocolate designer shoes and handbags are a speciality of Frances (right), and creations that the Telegraph described earlier this year as “every woman’s ultimate fantasy”.
The workshop where Frances and her small team make their chocolates and cakes is through an old stone wall from the shop and cafe area, down some wooden stairs in a light and airy conservatory.
Clifton Cakes has the distinction of being the only cafe in Hotwells, and has the further distinction of being the only Bristol cafe I am aware of that serves the ludicrously decadent but unbelievably tasty Ciocchino, “pure chocolate pleasure”. Cioccino is an espresso-style shot of pure chocolate, made with the finest dark chocolate and a light dairy whipping cream. It is sensational and I am now well and truly hooked.
Clifton Cakes is an absolute one-off and has immediately become one of my favourite places in Bristol. Frances used to be a graphic designer before setting up Clifton Cakes and now counts posh London shops Liberty and Fenwick as customers. Her new Hotwells shop, workshop and cafe is an absolute treat.
Clifton Cakes, 120 St George Road, Hotwells. 0117 9277 693.
Don’t get a fruit cake from here whatever you do – completely burnt and tasted of carbon, absolutely disgusting. According to the owner that’s how they make them, and they wouldn’t refund it. Hundreds of pounds completely wasted dealing with these cheapsters. They will never have my business again.