As if in retort to the homogenisation of contemporary modern life we have the independent cafe. Just opposite the behemoth that is Hove Tesco and its never ending stream of cars driven mindlessly through the car park entrance is a gem of a cafe sitting on the other side of the road. Quietly confident, knowingly and as if somehow claiming a defiance against uniformity and corporate culture Treacle & Co’s individuality is its singular dissent.
Treacle & Co appeared a year or so ago 
and is justifiably making its mark on the Hove cafe scene with its creatively designed windows reflecting the season and with its truly amazing cakes. Inside the look is deceptively simple. Alyssa, one of the partners, tells me that the day they uncovered the original tiled walls from the former butcher premises was a special one. The white, blue and cream tiles remaining on the walls from way back in the day were like finding buried treasure.
Vintage mirrors hang around the room with fresh flowers sitting on every table in heritage milk bottles and vases. Wooden tables and chairs are recycled and perfunctory leaving the focus of attention to the cakes and food.
In most cafes I just usually have a tea but whenever I’m in Treacle & Co I invariably succumb to one of their sumptious cakes baked fresh on the premises by Melody the owner. Would you be able to resist such distinctive creations as Pear in Whisky Crumble cake, White and Dark Chocolate, Kirsch Cherry and Lemon cake, Salted Chocolate and Pretzel cake served with caramelised cream or Espresso, Whisky and Chocolate cake with Maple Frosting?
Salted Caramel seems to be in vogue at the moment and this was my first opportunity to sample. Along with my pot of loose leaf Yorkshire tea served with vintage china I was in not doubt that I’d made the right choice in my individual Salted Caramel and Chocolate tart. Gooey salted caramel topped with dark chocolate powder in a tender pastry case is a combination made in heaven. It doesn’t surprise me that Melody now supplies some other local cafes too with her exceptional cakes.
You can get breakfast and lunch here too with all manner of wonderful choices. Last time I got the Welsh Rarebit on Real Patisserie bread with roasted vine tomatoes. With the menu changing regularly reflecting available seasonal produce it’s worth checking the blackboards for the day’s specials.
There is a bit of a buzz about this cafe as people come, chat, drink and indulge before leaving their table for some other lucky customer. The corporates may think they have a stronghold on Britain’s High Streets but the good people of Hove know something special when they see it.
Cafe Dharma 