Harden's says
Now moved from Oxton -- Marc Wilkinson closed the Wirral-based Fraiche in 2022, and in 2024 reopened it afresh (geddit?): a cottage near the bucolic market town of Oswestry. As it's situated inside his home, he only gives out the exact address one you have booked. The tasting menu as of early 2024 is £120 per head. All bookings are via the website.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Marc Willkinson is a genius” and “never fails to impress” at his “compact” venue – an unexpected find “off the beaten track” out on The Wirral, in a conservation village bordering Birkenhead. It has, on several occasions, topped our diners’ poll as the UK’s No. 1 destination. With just a dozen covers, it’s very much one man’s labour of love with its “imaginative visuals and playlist”, not to mention his really “unusual” and distinctive cuisine, delivered as a six-course tasting menu. Save space for the end of the meal: chef really knows his way around pudding and chocolates. Early in 2022, there was news that the restaurant was to close, but this is not the case. Marc is hunting for new premises, though, and if he finds them change will be afoot.
Summary
“If you are fortunate enough to get a table in this gem of a restaurant you will not be disappointed.” Chef-patron Marc Wilkinson puts his life and soul into this tiny “intimate” venue in a conservation village on the Wirral, which has just a dozen or so covers, and “a music playlist curated by the owner”. There is a cheaper lunch, but the main deal is a six-course signature menu for £115 per head, which delivers “exceptional flavours”. (In September 2021, the restaurant’s Instagram account said the builders are in till March, so change may be afoot, but what that may be seems to be under wraps at present.)
Summary
“One of the best in the country” – Marc Williamson “never fails to please and delight with his superb food, excellent wine list, and friendly and knowledgeable staff” at this “very intimate” venture on the edge of Birkenhead. In December 2018 he closed the restaurant with plans to move across The Mersey into Liverpool and double in size from his existing 12 seats (it’s so small, you need to book months in advance). After a March 2019 rethink, though, he decided against scaling up and decided to stay put and do a minor refurb. As he commented in the Liverpool Echo, after he’d decided against going down the expansion route: ‘For good or bad, you get 100% of me – the décor is me, the visuals are me, the music is me. I care, I guess – it’s a passion’.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Fraiche?
Confirmed on Booking, Weston Rhyn, SY10 7SF
Restaurant details
Fraiche Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We have been lucky enough to have eaten at Fraiche Chef’s table and can’t recommend it highly enough. Marc is a genius , the food is outstanding and being able to watch Narc at work is an added bonus. It’s our favourite place and every course is a delight. If you are lucky enough to stay there too, the room is beautiful with every luxury you woukd want and a breakfast that is unbelievable. Simply the best!"
"Fraiche - and Marc are exceptional. The ambiance of the restaurant sets up the meal to come. The flavours and presentation of each dish are nothing short of magic. Marc creates a journey which change continually and offers a new experience with each course. Just amazing!!"
"Fraiche - and Marc are exceptional. The ambiance of the restaurant sets up the meal to come. The flavours and presentation of each dish are nothing short of magic. Marc creates a journey which change continually and offers a new experience with each course. Just amazing!!"
"Fraiche - and Marc are exceptional. The ambiance of the restaurant sets up the meal to come. The flavours and presentation of each dish are nothing short of magic. Marc creates a journey which change continually and offers a new experience with each course. Just amazing!!"
"Fraiche - and Marc are exceptional. The ambiance of the restaurant sets up the meal to come. The flavours and presentation of each dish are nothing short of magic. Marc creates a journey which change continually and offers a new experience with each course. Just amazing!!"
"Great service, creative dishes and a wonderful experience."
"Theres nowhere in the UK that comes close to what Marc does. Everything is always top notch, the attention to detail is second to none and the food tastes exceptional."
"This just gets better and better. Food is both sublime and innovative with Marc providing just the right amount of chat to create an ambience that is welcoming, warm and memorable."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Confirmed on Booking, Weston Rhyn, SY10 7SF
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm |
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