La Famiglia Claughton

Wimpy Birkenhead

➤ 31 Princes Pavemant, Grange Precinct, Birkenhead, CH412XY, CH41 2XY, United Kingdom

Cafés • Seafood • Muffins • Fast Food

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"We visited Birkenhead wimpy for breakfast during a Saturday morning shopping trip. The food was all very nice and reasonably priced but a special mention has to go to the atmosphere thanks to the staff. The young lady waiting on was exceptionally polite and helpful, as was the chap behind the counter. The background music was pleasant, the restaurant itself was very clean and tidy and the customers coming and going were very friendly, even stopping to say good morning to us. I assume they were regulars thanks to the welcoming atmosphere offered here. I will definitely be going back next time I’m in the area."

Fraiche

➤ 11 Rose Mount, Oxton, Birkenhead CH43 5SG, CH43 5TD, Prenton, United Kingdom

Cafés • French • Coffee • Creative

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"After a two year gap, it was good to be back at Fraiche. We had been booked to return in spring last year but, of course, Covid intervened. Weve been coming for years and always enjoy Marcs food. Its interesting. Its imaginative. And, more than...anything, its delicious. Little has changed. Theres still the giant videos playing on the walls of the bar area. When you arrive, its restful ocean scenes a bit like I imagine it is if you have a fish tank at home. When you come back for coffee, its changed to scenes from space, complete with appropriate sound track Rocket Man, Space Oddity and the like. Theres snacks to be eaten here. Firstly, Garden a drink made from cucumber and whatever else Marc has picked from his allotment that day (he told us later that pretty much all the veg he uses comes from the allotment). Theres the usual spiced pecans and some British charcuterie. And a little seaweed and trout roe tartlet. And an onion and Parmesan foam. When youre seated at your table, theres a final snack. A little waffle, each square filled with either feta or cherry tomato. Possibly the best of the snacks. In what seems a new direction for Marc, several of the dishes lean towards East Asia. The first up is Chawanmushi a Japanese set custard made from dashi, with the flavour of seaweed and a powerful smokiness from cubes of eel. It seems to be fashionable to serve sweetbreads in a deep fried crisp coating. My partner isnt a great fan of them but reckoned these were the best ever tasted a firmer texture than usual. It comes with a little maitake mushroom (Google later told me Id better know this as Hen of the Woods and a soy based dressing. Somewhere round here, bread was served. Its always a course in its own right at Fraiche. And its always top notch. This was a light as a feather brioche and theres butter to slather on it, or olive oil to dunk it in. Both work. Next, there was a cold soup made from crme fraiche. Chopped hazelnuts and a little, very peppery, watercress provide a texture contrast. Then, very seasonal white asparagus comes chopped, along with girolles and courgettes. I think on every visit to Fraiche, its the fish course Ive enjoyed most and it was no different this time. Sashimi grade tuna is very lightly seared but theres no sense of rawness here. Theres some baby pak choi and a citrussy ponzu dressing. For the final savoury course, theres farmed Anjou pigeon. Its a milder flavoured bird than wild ones you usually get in the UK. It comes, seemingly quite simple, with a slice of earthy morcilla, Jerusalem artichoke puree and an artichoke crisp. I thought it was lovely and only just missed out on being my favourite course. On the other hand, my life companion didnt like the texture and left most of it (which, of course, meant I got seconds). Theres then the first of three desserts. First up, an ice lolly. I do no justice to it by calling it a lolly. This is no ordinary lolly. This is a lolly shaped like lips. Ruby red lips made from llo cherries, with a hint of lemon and, inside, a little mint chocolate. Then theres a shot glass of a refreshing strawberry soup, topped with slice of earthy truffle. And finally, a honey, chocolate and pineapple mousse again not too sweet. Well, I say finally but it wasnt. As I mentioned earlier, we were back in the bar area watching the space video. And Marc appears. He presents a planet. A metal sphere which he opens to reveal a macaron each. With the cooking over for the evening, hes able to chat for a little while, telling us hes been playing with flavours while the restaurant has been shut. Hes soon back with a little tray of chocolate petit fours. So, all that was left was to get the bill. This isnt the sort of food we want to eat regularly but it is food we want to eat now and again. So, off we went into the cold and wet of a Merseyside June evening. With a little bag of cookie dough to bake the next day. I think we might have preferred the little cup of hot chocolate that we got one winter visit."

Poseidon

➤ 61 Seaview Road, CH45 4QW, WIRRAL, United Kingdom

Greek • Vegan • Seafood • Vegetarian

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"Ordered grilled platter for two for our dinner tonight.There was so much !!!!Enough for us to enjoy for our lunch tomorrow.I made a mistake with the on line order but I rang the restaurant immediately and was able to cancel and reorder the correct meal.Dips, bread and salad were fresh and tasty and all the rest was well cooked and presented.I have eaten in the Poseidon on a number of occasions and the takeaway food is exactly the same excellent standard as the food served in the restaurant.Thank you Poseidon for a most enjoyable and excellent value for money meal."

Dale Street Eatery

➤ 98 Dale St, Liverpool, L25TF, United Kingdom

Cafés • Vegetarian • International • Breakfast-brunch

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"I have to admit I throughly enjoyed my breakfast! I've been to many cafe/restaurants and have had breakfast/brunch, but this has to be the best by far! I couldn't fault it! My eggs was done exactly how I like them, hash brown was just right!The service was good, the waiter was very patient with me bless her). We enjoyed it so much we came back the next day for lunch. It was the same standards, we did had to wait a bit longer on the second day, but we did move tables and was a little indecisive on what we wanted. The music is decent at a good a level which you can still hear your companion with out shouting and not hear the other tables conversation which I generally hate). Dale's Street Kitchen was clean and very comfortable. On both visits, staff and management were welcoming and accommodating. My only negative if I really had to find one, is there is only one toilet, which can be abit annoying as they're a busy restaurant and if your bursting that could be a problem. For those who gave it one or two stars are clearly really pretty people and you can't please everyone! Whenever I'm back in Liverpool I will 100% go back."

Greek Taverna Bold Street

➤ 76 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HR, United Kingdom

Meat • Greek • Curry • Chicken

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"Absolutely superb place, but make sure you book in advance!! We saw sooooo many people turned away, as they were full...and with good reason. The staff were friendly, and really attentative. They even checked if you were happy with the meal (which could have e easily been overlooked as they were so busy). The wait times for each course was minimal, and the presentation and taste of all dishes was exceptional."