Ginza West Aoyama Garden

I was able to relax and have two cappuccinos in the sun with a delicious hot cake. It’s a lovely cafe that reminds me of the good things in life.

Ginza West began in the ‘good old days’ in 1947 as a Western restaurant named ‘Grill Westginza’. It’s since transformed into a patisserie institution with outlet shops selling the signature Ginza West cookies throughout Tokyo as well as a flagship cafe salon in Ginza and all-day eateries in Aoyama and Yokahama.

If anything, Ginza West is a symbol of Japan’s attachment to the old-world glamour of 20th century Western culture. It’s cosmopolitan and accessible.

At the coffee/tea salons, there are delicious finger sandwiches with dainty parsley and lemon wedges, unlimited drink menu refills for the stragglers, golden puffed pancakes for the Instagram generation and a bring-to-table cake set display for the old-fashioned. Oh, and the hot soufflé from the Aoyama store comes with a stoic man dressed head to toe in white garment wheeled to the table on a trolley with a small ramekin of cream. The waitress could have bought it - but the excess of having this pastry chef magically appear every time a souffle is ordered is so entertaining to the point of comical one can’t help but laugh.

The best thing about Ginza West is that whilst the tea salons are in fashionable districts, everything still remains homely and delicious. The cappuccino comes with foamed milk and a touch of cinnamon. The butter toast comes crust off, lightly brushed with salted butter. The pancakes are spongy, fragrant and airy - the perfect vehicle for a pat of butter and maple syrup.

The Ginza flagship store has these charming seasonal floral arrangements with handwritten name tags and classical music is still played on CDs using a Denon Digital stereo system. So customers dig into fresh cream puffs and puddings while an orchestral version of Schubert is on full volume.

Classical music, good food and hotel school service. I suppose the appeal of Ginza West is it’s resounding dedication to preserving a long-lost dining experience we are all nostalgic for.

The Aoyama store - famous for it’s pancakes - also has a small book and magazine library at the corner for customers to browse and enjoy. After you finish, there are cookies and fresh cakes for you to purchase as souvenirs at the counter.

It’s these small details that makes Ginza West an absolute pleasure. Unlike so many places in Tokyo where people come in and out, Ginza West is a place that welcomes one to stay, relax and experience the flow of time.

Eating out can be classy, glamorous and fun. And no one knows that better than Ginza West.