STIWDIO 3
High Street, Cardigan. 01239 758088 / www.makeitinwales.co.uk/stiwdio3
Food ***** Atmosphere *****
Stiwdio 3 is full of life and activity as we step into Cardigan’s latest, and most individual, eatery. These days it’s not unusual to see a cafe with art for sale, or a gallery with somewhere to eat, or a craft shop that runs workshops. At Stiwdio 3, all of this is happening under one roof, at once, with a singular vision of a collaborative Wales that brings people, practitioners and produce together.
The first area of this open-plan space that we see is the shop. There is a small till point tucked away in the corner and a young lady reading on a stool next to it. There’s no need to hardsell the quality products on sale here. There’s everything from artist prints, craft kits and biodegradable food wrappers on display and all of it made in Wales. We buy a magazine by local photographer, Leia Morrison.
A large round sign at the far end of the cafe displays the maxim Make It In Wales: the name, in fact, of the Community Interest Company behind Stiwdio 3. A name that challenges you to get involved with various workshops (paper marbling, open spine bookbinding or coatmaking from Welsh wool tweed, to name three).
The cafe itself is cleverly spread across four spaces and three levels but all within easy earshot of an open kitchen. There are large family tables on the ground floor and intimate tables for two on the gallery above or cwtch below. We are tempted to sit nearest the kitchen by a beautiful array of cakes atop the counter. From the Sunday morning brunch menu we order Turkish eggs, a bacon sandwich and vegan French toast with caramelised banana. All excellent. Two hours later we tuck into the cakes accompanied by a coffee that is really exceptional.
In between courses we make a visit to the beautiful gallery above. A stunning space, full of light. A little place of quiet above the bustle below that gives local artists every opportunity to Make It In Wales.
words John-Paul Davies