The former chef-patron of Michelin-starred SY23 in Aberystwyth will open Vraic on Guernsey’s North Shore in July.
The 25-cover restaurant will feature an open kitchen in which will be a Basque-inspired, custom-built grill, designed primarily to cook whole fish and meat on the bone.
It will champion the island’s produce, with a particular focus on fish, shellfish and the diverse seaweed species found along its rugged coastline and will serve a tasting menu for both lunch and dinner.
Each dish will reflect Davies’ commitment to exploring and celebrating the island’s flavours and traditions, while also drawing on his Welsh roots, with menu items set to include fire-seared scallop with hand-picked seaweed from the island’s shores and burnt butter.
Vraic’s interior will echo Davies’ natural philosophy and is described as being ‘dimly lit and drenched in dark hues’. Design elements will include charred timber cladding, live-edge timber flooring, and hardwood seating with sheepskins draped over them.
For a pre or post dinner drink, guests can head to the upper terrace, which offers some of the island’s most impressive views of the North Shore.
The restaurant takes its name from the Guernésiais word for seaweed, and which was an important part of the island’s economy. The gathering of vraic dates back to the 16th century when it was used as fuel or fertiliser.
“It was always going to take something very special for me and my family to leave Wales, but this new project is exactly that. Vraic represents a new opportunity to create something exciting on the island of Guernsey, a truly unique and beautiful part of the world,” says Davies.
“This restaurant will be a progression of our journey, building on the principles we established at SY23 - utilising the abundance of ingredients on our doorstep and cooking with fire at the heart of everything we do. I’m thrilled to be joined by some of the team from SY23, and I can’t wait to share this new chapter with everyone.”
Davies, who was previously head chef at Gareth Ward’s Ynyshir, launched SY23 in December 2019. He announced his departure from the restaurant in 2023, which subsequently closed.
