When a very mysterious video invitation landed in my inbox beckoning me to Old Hall Street at 6.30pm on Friday 22nd September, I was already going from the second the clever little clip ended. Anywhere that has the bollocks to be that ambiguous and that obscure about their launch party has my vote of confidence from the off. I felt like Alice ready to chase the White Rabbit straight into wonderland and I took 3 of my trusty mad hatters along for the ride.
Suitably intrigued and being the nosy (and impatient) little bugger I am, I did some digging around. I discovered that the brains behind the necromantic mail was, in fact One Fine Day, Liverpool – the latest addition to a family of city-based venues that are simply adored by locals and visitors alike. Her older sister is the beautiful and romantic Oh My Oh My which looks out over our treasured Three Graces; her oldest sister is the charismatic and homely LEAF Cafe sitting pretty up on the cobbles of Bold Street.
Fast forward a few days, to the date and time specified on the RSVP request and there I was standing, once again, in the iconic Grade II-listed, Cotton Exchange building that is a legendary pillar in Liverpool’s rich history. It is also where I spent my days, from 9 ’til 5 for a good couple of years so it was nice to be back in such a social capacity. The Cotton Exchange was once the epicentre of the city’s cotton trading industry and now houses various offices and work spaces in the heart of Liverpool’s commercial district.
It’s also now home to One Fine Day – the hottest new hang out for workaholics and socialites alike. Part cafe, part bar, part outdoor seating area, part large events space – One Fine Day is set to become to the new go-to for Instagrammable breakfasts, hearty lunches, cosy dinner dates, weddings, live music and corporate event schedules. It’s all very Pinterest and #interiorgoals but with all of the substance to match its bloody gorgeous style.
Original pillars and a cobbled side entrance keep the essence of this apprised piece of local architecture alive, while the drop dead gorgeous Wes Anderson vibes had me drooling in absolute envy. The venue is split into two: your every day cafe/bar/hangout and then a sizeable event space further back for corporate evenings, weddings etc.
As for the edible offerings, these promise to be as wholesome as wholesome can be. As I write this the menus are still yet to go live in cyberworld but we’re being promised simple, ethical, responsibly-sourced produce that conjures modern meals with a focus on health and hygge. This will sit alongside a carefully crafted beverage menu of loose leaf teas, freshly pressed juices, locally-roasted coffee, craft beers, artisan spirits and rustic cocktails, as well as vegan, sulphite-free natural wines.
If you’re a regular on my blog, you’ll know I often sing the praises of food at LEAF Cafe (from breakfast to Pudding Club) so I’d crossed my heart and hoped to die that One Fine Day is going to be equally delicious. I was right. There was a spread put out on the evening in the event space that was literally stunn-ing. It looked like something straight out of a Harry Potter dinner hall scene, decorated with raw cotton plants as a homage to the building’s rich history. My favourite picks from the lavish array of samples was the braised beef brisket, honey baklava and a chocolate and honeycomb mousse.
This is the perfect place to kick back when a big dirty burger just ain’t as appealing as that real satisfaction of sustenance washed down with something herbal, aromatic and good for the soul.
Yes, that’s how I’m going to describe One Fine Day – good for the soul.
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