Beloved restaurant Fraiche is closing down and leaving Merseyside for the West Midlands.
Fraiche, based in Oxton, has long been hailed as a gem in the region's culinary crown, and was even named in the prestigious Harden's Best UK Restaurants 2023 guide.
The popular venue just made the cut, as the final restaurant to feature in the top 100 list. Harden's hailed chef patron Marc Wilkinson as a "genius" who "never fails to impress" at his "compact" venue – an unexpected find "off the beaten track" in Wirral, in a conservation village bordering Birkenhead.
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Fraiche has, on several occasions, topped the Harden's diners' poll as the UK's number one destination. With just a dozen covers, it was an intimate setting famed for its "imaginative visuals and playlist". Marc's "unusual" and distinctive cuisine, delivered as a six-course tasting menu, was also praised.
Now, the restaurant is officially shutting down, with Marc taking to social media to confirm he's packing up and "evolving" Fraiche by setting up in "the stunning countryside of Shropshire". The chef revealed the "infamous moon" had been taken down and was nestled in his backpack, ready for the big move.
A new Fraiche website is under construction, with bookings expected to be released on June 1. In a lengthy and emotive post on Facebook, Marc penned: "The eagle eyed local guests may have noticed the Fraiche signage has been removed and the infamous moon is now down and safely into my [backpack].
"This can only mean Fraiche is indeed on the move and I leave Oxton filled with many memories and pride of what I have achieved so far with Fraiche not forgetting the wonderful people I have met along the way. Now it's time to evolve Fraiche and relocate it to the stunning countryside of Shropshire."
Marc thanked patrons for their support, and expressed hope that some may "venture down" to the new venue in the summer. He continued: "The menu style will continue at the same high standards, the chef and of course octopus and the moon will be reassuringly familiar to you and unfortunately you will still have to suffer Prince on the playlist."
Marc then confirmed there'll be a guest room available at the new location, as well as private parking which he quipped is "such a luxury compared to the gridlocked village I leave behind".
The post was met with more than 300 likes, while hundreds of fans flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. Michael Gould said: "We will miss you Marc but look forward to visiting you for your first menu "black"".
Jorinde Williams said: "Lovely news. Deserved. Good luck with the new venue". Lesley Jane said: "Always wanted to go to Fraiche but was more than content with the amazing Mother's Day chocolates I was lucky to get …. Happiness always and yes I'll continue to strive to dine at your restaurant; so it's Shropshire and a cheeky little stay over".
Christine Bailey commented: "Good luck in your new adventure can't pretend I won't miss the cakes, chocolates, shortbread (the best) and all hopes of another black box are now gone. But how exciting for you".
Nicky Teare said: "Big loss to the village …you will be missed Marc Wilkinson. Wishing you all the best in your new restaurant". And Andrew Horne added: "Good luck Mark you have been a champion chef for the Wirral onwards and upwards mate".
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