Entertaining in Tokyo

After what seems like 3 weeks of eating out everyday, I have successfully come-up with a list of Japanese restaurants that is worth taking your clients out to during their short business trip in Tokyo. Area of concentration is Roppongi, Nishi-Azabu, Yoyogi, Yoyogi-Uehara and Shinjuku.

1. Gonpachi
Japanese foods in one box. It's like the easiest stop you can make. And you'll get a selection of sushi (at their 3rd floor branch) and you get an eclectic colletion of kushiyaki foods and hand-made soba specialty.

Web. Phone 03-5771-0170. Usually about 4,000 yen per head at the end of the evening. Reservation highly recommended for dinner.

2. Shunju
One of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo. Nouveau Japanese dish, and they have the very fresh tofu that they make at the table. Located on the 27th floor of Sanno Park Tower, the view of Tokyo is breathtaking.

Web. Phone 03-3592-5288. Prepare to pay 8,000 yen and up for a fine dining experience (trust me, it's worth it). Reservation highly recommended, and always try to get seats by the glass wall.

3. Ikuta
Kobe beef specialist. Usually the price is dire if you want to dine on this special Kobe beef, but Ikuta is much more reasonable than most. Located in Yoyogi, very close to Shinjuku. Atmosphere is not pretentious at all.

Web. Phone 03-5340-7240. Course menu starts from 6,980 yen. Capacity is not very large, reservation is recommended.

4. Seryna Honten
Great Shabu-shabu restaurant in Roppongi. Full review see here.

Web. Phone 03-3402-1051.Reservation required. Course starts from 8,000 yen.

5. Mon Cher Ton Ton
Another Kobe beef restaurant. Served in teppanyaki style. Mon Cher Ton Ton is located on 52nd Floor of Sumitomo Building in Shinjuku. The view is absolutely stunning, while the food is out of this world-ly delicious. Very expensive. My client picked up the tab, so it was OK.

Web. Phone 03-3344-6761. Reservation required.Kobe Beef course menu is 20,000 yen per head.

6. Tobu Sakana
Complete opposite to the other's hefty price, try to go to Tobu Sakana in Tokyo's hip pocket Shimo-Kitazawa. The freshest fish restaurant I've ever been to in Japan. Full review is here.

Web. Phone 03-3414-6611. 3,000-4,000 yen per head.Place is small, reservation is recommended. Cash only.

7. Sasagin
One of my favorite place in Yoyogi Uehara. The restaurant has hundreds of bottles of sake collection. Menu is in difficult Japanese only, so all you need to do is tell the master to do what he wants and deliver the sake that goes well with the food. All you need to do is say how hungry you are, and what food you're allergic to or hates. You'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Formal review. Phone 03-5454-3715.Moderate, 4,000 yen~ per head. Cash only.

8. New York Bar and Grill
Not exactly Japanese, but this is something that every single of my clients all wants to go. You know, to get their fix on "Lost in Translation" experience.

Web. Phone 03-5323-3458. Only the Grill takes reservation. Just show yourself up. Once live music start, cover charge is 2,000 yen per head. Drinks starts from 1,000 yen.

9. Shabuzen
Good shabu-shabu restaurant in Roppongi. Much more affordable than Seryna. Better option for a party of 5 and above.

Web. Phone 03-3585-5600. Reservation sometimes necessary if it's Friday or Saturday night. 7,000 yen~ per head.

10. Kougetsu
Somewhere in between Shabuzen and Seryna's price range, there lies Kougetsu. My favorite amongst the 3. Specify to the restaurant if you don't eat pork.

Web. Phone 03-5771-0141

11. Shousuke
Excellent yakitori chain. Try to go to the one in Shinjuku San-chome's T&T building 7th floor, great view of Shinjuku Gyoen Park.

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/fl/en/g264513/index.htm.Phone 03-3356-1818.Average budget 5,000 yen per head. Reservation not necessary but recommended for big party.

And the quest continues!