Fat Lolly Sams (desserts Shakes) North Birkenhead

Wimpy Birkenhead

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

Carte • Cafés • Seafood • European • Fast Food

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"Called in at the Wimpy one lunchtime this week and it was like stepping back in time to a retro (and better) fast food experience. I’m old enough to remember going to Wimpy Birkenhead as a child in the age of red and white plastic tables, and although it’s still in the exact same location, it now looks modern and more welcoming. The food was great cheeseburger perfectly cooked, on a fresh white bun with lettuce and diced onion and thick, crisp fries; and a tender delicious chicken wrap and the table service, cutlery and china plates were a refreshing improvement on the usual burger experience. The owner was friendly and keen to ensure our order was exactly as we wanted it, and that we had every sauce condiment we asked for. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and will be back to try the Christmas burger. Highly recommended."

Fraiche

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

Carte • Fish • French • Coffee • Creative

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"I was distraught when, just before Christmas, I read that Fraiche had closed. It’s a restaurant we’ve been visiting for years. Never had a bad dish, let alone a bad meal. I emailed Marc Wilkinson to offer best wishes for the future and he replied saying he hoped to reopen in another location. So, it was with some surprise that I found he was actually staying in the original Oxton premises. It seems nothing has changed. It’s still a no choice tasting menu, cooked immaculately and served with relaxed style and professionalism. We gave a deep sigh of relief.While you’re having an aperitif, there’s snacks to be had. A raspberry and verbena shot was a sign that, whilst Marc may have had a few months break, he’s lost none of his touch. There’s sweetness from the raspberry perfectly matched by a citrus hit from the verbena. There’s also spiced nuts, a buttermilk and trout roe rice cracker, cheese marshmallow and, perhaps best of the lot, a smoked eel sandwich.Once at the table, we checked that, as before, there are only eight covers in the restaurant, with seven bums on seats. It’s probably as many as Marc can deal with on his own in the kitchen. For a first course there was diced watermelon. I can still remember our first meal at Fraiche, eleven years ago, when it was also watermelon to start. Then it was mixed with raw tuna so you couldn’t really tell which was which until it went into your mouth. Now, there’s cubes of salty feta and a whack from basil. Smoked salmon follows, in a light dashi broth, with a crunch from small dice of cucumber. Bread was served round about now – four different ones – the fennel one being a stunner, IMONext up, a set parsley cream was topped with thinly sliced raw ? scallop and a shaving of truffle. Then a more assertively flavoured “textures of artichoke” dish – sliced raw Jerusalem artichoke, an ice cream, a crisp and, probably, other preparations that I’ve forgotten. For contrast there sweetness from a passion fruit jelly and crunch from hazelnut. It all works really well. Sea trout had been lightly cooked – I think I recall Marc doesn’t use a sous vide machine so I guess this had just been poached. It comes with a squid ink cracker, salty samphire and a lovely passion fruit mayo. On every single previous visit to Fraiche, the fish has been over favourite course and, at this point, it was the front runner. The final savoury course was an intricate preparation of Cumbrian lamb. There’s a slice of perfectly pink loin ? and some long cooked breast. There’s also classic French lamb accompaniments – black olives in the form of a crisp, shallot, tomato and aubergine. Pre-dessert was a knockout combination of yuzu, orange and a little background hint of liquorice. Texture was more than a foam but less than a mousse. It’s really good. At the beginning of the meal, you’re asked whether you want to end it with “salt or sugar”. Salt gets you cheese. Sugar gets you a dessert which proved to be the best course of the evening – and it’s rare that we would say that. It’s another “textures” thing – this time of exceptionally flavoured Gariguette strawberries. They sit on a shortbread ? tart and there’s fresh berries, marinated ones, a gel and an ice cream as well as a coconut meringue crisp.Coffee was good although somehow during their closure the espresso machine went missing, so we had to settle for a cafetiere. Petit fours were excellent. It had been a lovely evening when we “oooh and ahh’d” over the food several times. And then it was off into the night having, in truth, paid a bill that was remarkably good value for this quality. Oh yes, and there’s a little pack of homemade hobnobs to take away just in case we get peckish on the hour’s drive home."

Poseidon

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

Carte • Greek • Vegan • Vegetarian • Gluten Free

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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

Carte • 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

Carte • Meat • Greek • Curry • Chicken

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"I had a wonderful experience at this charming little Greek restaurant. The staff was attentive and we were served quickly. The dishes were expertly prepared, and the flavors in the sauce were simply outstanding. Everything was just right—not too much and not too little. Even the chips were among the best I've ever had! While the portion sizes may seem a bit small, the richness of the food ensured that it was more than enough. We also enjoyed starters with our meals, and I highly recommend trying the traditional dishes. The restaurant has a lovely, clean decor and a warm atmosphere. It was a vibrant and light-filled summer evening, and I can't wait to return!"