Visiting Retro Coffee Shops: Kyoto Kawaramachi 'Francois Tea Room' & the 2nd Floor of 'Soiree'
Visiting retro coffee shops as a married couple...
We went to Kyoto again as a couple the other day😊
And this time,
we visited 'Francois Tea Room', which is only about a 2-minute walk away across a large road from 'Soiree', the place we visited on our last trip to Kyoto😊☕️
(It is also about a 2-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station)
Founded in 1934 (Showa 9)...
The owner at the time of founding,
in an era when wartime sentiment was intensifying
and free speech was becoming difficult,
resisted those times and provided this 'Francois Tea Room'
as a place where people could freely discuss anti-war sentiments and art✨
Back then, many people gathered at 'Francois Tea Room',
and it was a stylish place that felt like an 'oasis of culture and freedom'✨
The owner's spirit is truly stylish, isn't it!✨✨
The interior was elegant in a Western style for that time✨
With stained glass windows,
red velvet chairs, and white walls and ceilings,
it seems it was a luxurious salon-style coffee shop from the very beginning✨
This time as well, I asked for permission,
and was allowed to take photos of the interior and the tables where no customers were sitting😊
While keeping the elegant and stylish atmosphere that has been carefully preserved since those days,
in this dignified and calm space,
I was able to relax and unwind
while thinking about the past😊✨
The classical music was pleasant♪✨
And... my husband had an iced coffee,
and I had a cafe au lait and a lemon tart😊
The gentle sweetness of the cafe au lait
and the sweet and sour taste of the lemon tart went together perfectly,
and it was very delicious😊💕
I felt that this velvety,
supple atmosphere that has been protected and passed down since the founding
and that permeates the shop
is the true essence of 'Francois Tea Room'✨
And...
since we had come all the way to Kawaramachi in Kyoto,
we visited 'Soiree' nearby
once again♪😊✌️
My article about 'Soiree' from last time is here👇
Since we were on the first floor last time,
this time we went up to the second floor👇
The second floor had high ceilings and felt open✨
The blue light beautifully illuminated
the area near the ceiling💙✨
(I felt that the blue light effect was stronger on the first floor...)
Just like last time,
my husband ordered the jelly coffee float,
and I ordered the jelly punch😊
At 'Soiree', it seemed that almost all the customers
were ordering the most popular item, the jelly punch✨
The five colors of the jelly were cute,
and the fizz of the soda was refreshing,
so it was very delicious😊
My husband also said he liked the jelly coffee float
because it wasn't too sweet😊
The window seats were bright, and
the greenery visible from the window was so beautiful🍀
And, on the table where we sat,
there was a large grape-shaped ornament,
which was very lovely♪😊✨
Both 'Francois Cafe'
and 'Soiree'
have been nurtured by a long history,
carefully preserved and passed down,
maintaining their dignified atmosphere,
and I was deeply impressed that
both are truly one-of-a-kind,
wonderful cafes!😊💕✨
To all the staff, thank you so much💕
And... thank you for the meal😊