Impressions
Intense is a restaurant in Wachenheim, a town in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, that offers a fusion of local and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is run by Bettina and Benjamin Peifer. Intense has a unique concept that creates an immersive and interactive dining experience.
The restaurant is located in a former parsonage, where you are welcomed in the “Gud Stubb,” a cozy lounge area where you enjoy snacks and aperitifs. You will then be taken to the pantry, where you are introduced to the kitchen philosophy and the ingredients used in the dishes. The pantry also transitions from the traditional to the modern as you enter the main dining area, which has a minimalist and urban design.
The dining area features a counter that faces the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare their food. There are also small tables and private booths (“Koshitsu”) for those who prefer more intimacy. I enjoyed sitting at the counter very much. It’s great to see the cheese in action preparing the food, and it gives a sense of closeness.
The menu consists of a tasting course showcasing the fusion of Pfalz and Japan, with “chicken Isukune and shrimp,” “sourdough bread with miso butter,” and “Iced duck liver and preserved cherry shiso.” The dishes are cooked with open fire, which adds a smoky flavor and a touch of drama. The restaurant also offers a selection of wines as well as sake and cocktails that complement the food.
Intense is a restaurant that aims to surprise and delight its guests with its innovative and creative cuisine, attentive and friendly service, and atmospheric and stylish ambiance. It is a place where guests can enjoy a memorable and intense culinary journey that blends the best of two cultures.
