Kintsu's Second Act: A Taste of Resilience in Colchester

Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded settlement, now boasts Kintsu, a restaurant named after the Japanese art of kintsugi, symbolizing resilience. Chef Paul Wendholt faced financial challenges, leading to a closure in May 2025, but managed to reopen the establishment just four months later.

Currently, Kintsu offers an eight-course tasting menu priced at £90 per person. The dining experience takes place in a Grade II-listed building, despite its less-than-picturesque location beside a car park. The menu highlights local produce, including Dingley Dell pork and Colchester cherries.

Dishes such as whipped Montgomery cheddar tartlets, duck liver mousse on lattice tuiles, and Braxted tomatoes with pecorino showcase thoughtful cooking. The restaurant faced sparse occupancy on a recent Saturday lunchtime, prompting a call for support.

Despite the quiet atmosphere, the food, including wild Suffolk bass and treacle-cured pork, received praise. The tasting menu culminated in an inventive Colchester cherry dessert and homemade fig-leaf fudge, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to quality and creativity.