Could Old Hall Street become as cool as Cotton?
As the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. However there are often exceptions to the rule, and this is the thinking behind Leaf on Bold Street and its sister Water Street venue, Oh Me Oh My.
My little theory up there comes as the dream team unveil their brand new venture, One Fine Day.
Both whimsical and cutting edge, the new Old Hall Street hangout promises to become the new place to be.
Sitting (super) pretty in the Grade II-listed Cotton Exchange building, this is precisely
what you might call the perfect marriage between past and present. (Speaking of harmonious marriages… for anybody looking to get hitched in the city, you may have just fluttered into the perfect destination.)
Original architecture and a charming, cobbled side street take you right back, while an effortlessly stylish Wes Anderson décor vibe brings you bang up to date.
We’re talking regal marble pillars, impressive stairwells and loft ceilings juxtaposed against the delicacy of muted velvet upholstery, fairy lights galore and enough botanical accents to remind you you’re living in the Pinterest age and not the Great Gatsby era.
You don’t have to have found the butter to your muffin or the milk to your cookie to take a trip to One Fine Day though. The concept is pitched at everybody from the stressed out over-timer with a to-do list longer than War & Peace and the office BFFs celebrating Fri-yay with a lazy lunch hour, right through to the book clubs, the socialites and anybody looking to kickback somewhere just a little bit different. “From Rising to Midway, through to After Dark”, as they say.
On the food front, expect wholesome, hearty recipes made from responsibly sourced produce and local ingredients. You know, the kind of stuff your grandma pinched your cheeks with pride for eating.
There was a jaw-dropping spread laid out in the large events space on launch night, decorated with raw cotton as a homage to the venue’s roots. It spoke volumes for what’s in store.
My personal highlights were the braised beef brisket and a chocolate honeycomb mousse – a real treat for the eyes and tastebuds.
When it comes to the bevvies it’s all about "artisan" spirits, craft beers, loose leaf teas, locally roasted coffee and freshly pressed fruit juices.
Expect cocktails to be bespoke and rustic with not a Pornstar Martini in sight. We had a pretty, peach-coloured, Ginseng tea-infused gin cocktail garnished perfectly with an edible flower.
Oh and not to mention the countless flutes of prosecco claimed from two stunning bars: one of them for every use, the other located in the back space and specifically set up for weddings and events.
Head on over to the One Fine Day website for more information on events, weddings, menus and the ethos of the beautiful brand.
Find Stephanie Whalley’s blog, Hungry Harriet here.
