Former Bathers Pavilion chef to head Franca in former Potts Point Fratelli Fresh

The French restaurant and bar taking shape in the Potts Point site where Fratelli Fresh pulled the pin has signed a chef and finally has an opening date.

After a number of lengthy delays, restaurateur Andrew Becher, a partner at Pelicano in Double Bay, has confirmed Franca will open in June.

Former est and Bathers' Pavilion chef Alexis Besseau will join Franca as executive chef and Alex Cameron has also hitched to the project as a partner and its GM.

Besseau, who has worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, already has a number of food gongs to his name.

But don't expect top-shelf finery when it opens its doors.

Franca, which gets its name from Lingua Franca, a common language used between people who did not speak one another's native tongue in the Mediterranean, is pitching itself as an "elegant yet casual modern brasserie".

Still, the plans from design outfit Steel and Stitch are said to be impressive.