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
“Having relocated from the original site on the Wirral to rural Shropshire”, Marc Wilkinson “greets, cooks, explains and serves a range of incredible dishes in his new venue near Oswestry”: part of his home (with the address provided on booking) and now more in the format of a chef’s table experience than during his days in Oxton. “Marc is a consummate professional and never fails to impress” with his £130 per person tasting menu (with bookings released on the 1st of each month): “a truly unique dining experience unlike any other”. As yet he is unlicensed, so you can BYO! – an incredible boon with a meal of this quality.
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.)
For 34 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 enjoyed the vegetarian menu last night and it was phenomenal- actually quite breath taking"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £0.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| 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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