nyanko001
I visited the café "Soiree" alone on a Sunday at 3:00 PM, which is located about a 1-minute walk from the Hankyu Kyoto Line "Kawaramachi Station" 1A exit in Kyoto, for the purpose of being featured in the travel guidebook "Cocomiru Kyoto". The café was quite popular with around 20 people waiting in line, all of whom were women except for myself, creating a slightly awkward situation. However, the turnover was surprisingly quick, and I was able to enter the café in about 25 minutes. "Soiree" has been completely non-smoking since 2016, which is a great relief compared to nearby cafés like Tsukiji. Just be aware that the waiting area near the café is a smoking area and can be smoky. I was politely guided to a seat on the first floor, which consists of about seven 4-person tables. I was seated in a table towards the back right corner, where there were two large Barbie-like dolls next to me and a mirror behind me, creating a slightly overwhelming atmosphere. The seats are narrow, and sitting down, I could see my reflection in the mirror in front of me, which was a bit nerve-wracking. There is also a second floor, and based on the staff's comments, it seems to be more popular. The café is quiet with no background music, and I was served water before taking a close look at the menu. The menu provides a brief history of the café, which opened in 1948 and has been known for its lack of background music since its inception. The name "Soiree" means a social gathering or a lovely evening in French, which may explain the slightly dim lighting. There is also a monument on the left side of the entrance with a handwritten message from the Count and poet Yuji Yoshii (1886-1960), who was a regular at the café. The café is known as a meeting place for cultural figures, and the blue lighting inside makes women look beautiful and men look youthful, as the staff explained. The wooden carvings inside the café were created by the sculptor Teishun Ikeno, a friend of the founder, and the paintings are primarily by the Showa-era Western painters Seiji Togo (1897-1978) and Ryozo Sasaki, as well as original paintings by members of the Nika-kai. I ordered an iced coffee for 600 yen including tax, which was promptly served on a coaster depicting elegant women painted by the artists mentioned earlier. I inserted a straw and enjoyed the delicious and high-quality coffee with a hint of bitterness. The café is a tranquil place where you can relax and enjoy your drink. The café has been offering colorful jellies with drinks since 1975, which are popular among women. Please note that this café only accepts cash payments. "Soiree" is highly recommended for its quiet and dimly lit atmosphere with blue lighting, where you can leisurely enjoy a delicious iced coffee and other drinks.