Frequent visitors to Park Row may remember Little Secret: a beauty shop located at no. 62, next door to Lollipop. Take a look through the window now and you’ll see that things are very different, with the premises having turned into a three storey coffee shop.
Retaining the same name as before, Little Secret is now a rustic-meet-industrial styled cafe managed by Lindsey Voong, formerly of Toro on Park Street. Ideally placed for University of Bristol students, visitors can take advantage of free wi-fi – and were happily doing so on the day of our visit.
The ground floor is where all the action happens: a shiny white coffee machine churns out lattes, flat whites and more from Extract Coffee, while those of more of a tea persuasion can enjoy one of a range of Teapigs teas. The blackboard paint wall behind the counter announces the hot drinks menu, with prices in line with elsewhere in the area.
Stainless steel toasted sandwich makers herald the imminent arrival of that staple student food, while a range of fresh sandwiches will also be on offer.
In the chiller cabinet, you’ll find a range of cakes and traybakes handmade by Danielle Coombs of Bishopston Supper Club fame, while those looking for something more savoury can try her Scotch eggs or sausage rolls.
Feel Good Drinks, Fentiman’s offerings and bottled water are available for those looking for something cold, and you’ll also be able to choose from a range of crisps and biscuits, including an intriguing white chocolate and pink peppercorn variety.
In addition to the seating on the ground floor, there’s a cosy seating area downstairs. Toilets are on the first floor, along with an area that will lend itself to extra seating in the near future.
While we were there we enjoyed a peppermint tea (for me – sadly there was no decaf coffee available at the time of our visit), and a latte, which was definitely superior to the nearby chain coffee shops.
Little Secret is still very new with a few things still to organise, but it’s well on its way to looking like somewhere that will be a perfect student haunt when the new term begins.