01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Set within the calm residential neighborhood of Daizawa, Setagaya Ward, VinSante is a welcoming dining room where guests can enjoy thoughtful French cooking without pretension. The interior, designed by architect Shigeru Ban, makes striking use of paper tubes and wood, creating an airy, gentle atmosphere bathed in warmth. Along the front of the restaurant, open-air terrace seating looks out onto the street—a pleasant perch when spring cherry blossoms bloom or during mild autumn afternoons. Both the indoor dining room and the terrace welcome pet dogs, making it a convenient stop for neighborhood strolls.
Lunch Menus Built Around Choice
Midday dining is centered on generous sets and courses that include an appetizer, baguette, dessert, and an after-meal drink. Diners can tailor the meal to their mood by selecting a main from a rotation of fresh pastas, seafood, and meat dishes. Pasta offerings feature combinations like shrimp and komatsuna greens in tomato sauce or a rich gorgonzola and spinach preparation, while classic French plates range from pan-seared sea bream with caper sauce to bone-in French Barbarie duck leg confit or grilled Iberico pork loin paired with porcini sauce. Guests can also round out the meal with rich accompaniments such as truffle mashed potatoes or an oven-baked lobster gratin.
Wine-Friendly Dinners and A La Carte Cuts
In the evening, VinSante offers a 5-course dinner menu spanning an amuse-bouche, appetizer, fish plate, meat dish, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. For those ordering a la carte, steak frites can be selected from cuts such as French Charolais beef, Japanese Black Wagyu sirloin, and tenderloin. Other wine-friendly plates include mixed charcuterie and horsemeat tartare. Another recurring favorite is the garlic rice folded with crisp shibazuke pickles, which reviewers frequently mention as a satisfying way to close out the meal, with some noting they order it on every visit.
Desserts include classics such as baked custard pudding, tarte Tatin, and creme brulee, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace alongside coffee or tea. Families are well accommodated with child-friendly pasta sets and kids' plates featuring hamburger patties and fried shrimp. From an easy lunch to a celebratory family dinner, the restaurant serves a versatile range of occasions.
