Gonpachi (Japanese)

Gonpachi is a great place to take visitors when they are visiting Japan. It's filled with tourists, but I wouldn't call it a tourist trap. They have a huge variety of food, served tapas style, so you can try a bunch of different plates. The building looks like an old samurai castle, and the inside is adorned with the traditional Japanese elements of natural wood, paper lanterns, and bamboo. Overall you get a very "Japanese" type of experience. The atmosphere and food have a trendy flair to them, but they still do a great job of executing down-to-earth comfort Japanese food. You can watch them roll out fresh soba noodles on the spot. Their yakitori (grilled meats and vegetables on a skewer) are delicious. I especially like the grilled eringi, a buttery fleshy Japanese mushroom. As an omnivore I used to love the tsukune (chicken meatball) and bacon-wrapped asparagus. Try their more unique dishes and you won't be disappointed either. Last time I had a crab cake that was covered in noodle needles, and it looked like a scary porcupine ball, but it was delicious!
There are several locations, but I've only been to the one in Nishi-Azabu. Supposedly President Bush went there. whoopee. Make reservations. Stop by Shibuya or Roppongi afterwards, which are within walking distance along the main road.
I heard a Gonpachi has opened up in LA on La Cienega. The company, Global Dining, also has a Monsoon in Santa Monica.