It’s been a while since we discovered a cafe as good as Ragout & Whisky House. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s as much a lunch cafe as it is a classy spot for boozing in the evenings. It even has breakfast hours. We visited for lunch (more than once) and found the service excellent, the ambience pleasant, and the food delicious. The portions were quite large, too, making for a good cost-performance lunch.
Lunch plates are ¥1000 and the selection is varied. Four of our staff stopped in, each choosing a different entree. All were pleased with their meal. The beef simmered in tomato sauce–a ragout classic–featured succulent chunks of meat that broke apart easily with a fork, as well as sides of salad, rice and potato wedges. The curry was perfect in consistency, full of flavor and not overly spicy. The chef didn’t skimp on the meat, either, and the plate came with a half-plate of fresh salad. The restaurant sources most of its produce locally. The vegan member of our group was pleased to find a heaping plate of vegetables and bean-based foods instead of having to ask for special accommodations. And the plate of chicken served on a bed of salad was cooked just right, with savory juiciness. The main dishes were preceded by a delicious cold soup, while tea, coffee and other light beverages come with the meal. The dinner menu features other dishes that cost slightly more (¥1000~¥1800) and seem a little fuller in flavor. As the restaurant is on the first floor of Hotel Edit, it’s perhaps no surprise that there are breakfast hours and that it’s a buffet (¥1200).
It was a busy work day so we stayed away from the whiskey, but the selection was respectable, with more than a dozen classic brands ranging in price from just ¥350 to ¥800. We were happy to just relax in the cheerful interior marked by lots of plants, warm colors and comfortable wooden tables.