A small coffee shop and cocktail bar has been gaining five star reviews on TripAdvisor for its cosy atmosphere and friendly service.
The leafy suburb of Woolton has an impressive number of food and drink destinations considering its size, making it a popular alternative to a night out in town for those who live in the surrounding areas. Turkish restaurant Istanbul and Indian Holdi both have regulars who keep coming back for more of their huge portions and authentic food.
The Pickled Olive and Liberty Tavern serve up swanky cocktails and the village is home to several pubs including The White Horse, The Elephant and The Grapes. There’s also the tiny French bistro Caveau, quaint café Coast and a fairly new Italian deli Buongiorno, which has a small area where you can sit at a table and try some of its produce.
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Along Allerton Road in the village you’ll find a cafe inspired by yet another part of the world - Iceland. One Percent Forest opened back in 2018 and continues to thrive as a ‘local neighbourhood coffee shop and cocktail bar’.
I visited on a chilly December lunchtime and found the space brimming with people enjoying a bite to eat and a warm drink, with nearly every table full. Inside, the decor has that Hygge vibe with lots of greenery, fluffy cushions, trendy artwork and pops of colour, creating a cosy, comfy place to relax.
The coffee shop has a small menu, which changes slightly with the seasons and includes sweet treats like Cinnamon Bun, Scandi Waffles and Icelandic Yoghurt Bowl with berries, chia seeds and granola. If you want something warmer, there’s sandwiches including Reuben and Grilled Cheese, and a selection of hot dogs.
I chose the Scandi Dog (£7) and despite adoring the coffee shops Flat Whites (I was a regular take out visitor during lockdown), I chose a Peppermint Tea (£2.50), having already overdone the caffeine that day.
The refreshing tea came in a pot, with enough to top my cup up several times during my visit. The hot dog arrived in around 10-15 minutes, which left me plenty of time to relax, people watch and, to be perfectly honest, eavesdrop on those nearby. With a small space and me being particularly nosey (occupational hazard I suppose), it was bound to happen.
When the Scandi Dog was placed in front of me by the friendly member of staff, I was impressed by its size. The pork hot dog came in a huge soft roll and was absolutely smothered in pickles, remoulade and crispy onions, with a creamy dill mustard adding the perfect balance of sharpness and sweetness to each mouthful.
I’ll be honest, hot dogs can conjure up dodgy flashbacks of the kind you get in a jar but thankfully these were a world away from that particular childhood memory. The pickles added a tanginess and cut through the salty pork, while the crispy onions gave the whole thing a delicious crunchy texture.
The dish was just the right size to have on its own and left me still feeling like I'd had a satisfying lunch, without being overly stuffed. The coffee shop has an impressive cake counter if you’ve plenty of room left for a sweet treat.
To be honest, at this time of year, the only bad thing about One Percent Forest is having to leave its warm, cosy setting and brave the cold again. One Percent Forest is at 42 Allerton Road in Woolton.
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