Which part of Tokyo will you be in? If you narrow it down to a district I'm sure people will be able to help more.

Honestly, when we go to Tokyo or Yokohama we just look around when it's dinner time, lol. There are so many places to eat everywhere. It's pretty easy to spot an Izakaya, tonkatsu restaurant or whatever. But if you're looking for something particular I could see why'd you want recs.

Steak restaurants can be pricey so be careful!

A place that I've been wanting to go to is "Ninja Akasaka". I have some friends that went and had a great time.
http://www.ninjaakasaka.com/index.html
http://www.ninjaakasaka.com/youtube.html

Yes, my friends went as well. it is $$$ though. But very interesting.

Ribera Steak House
http://nortega.com/?p=93
Maybe Adam or someone could find this on a map.  You can either get a 1 1/2 pound, 1 pound, or 1/2 pound sirloin or a filet which is smaller.  Comes with rice and corn. 

Ninniku Ya in Ebisu
http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/202
Excellent everything garlic!! 

Blacows in Ebisu
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-...122sr.html
Yummy burgers!

Girl you should have come to me sooner...google directions to Pap house in shabuya. If you go make sure you get the garlic rice(it has bacon chunks in it!!!) Me and Lisa went last month, so far it is the best Yakiniku place we've eatin at.

We didn't have any specific district we wanted to go to. We were just looking to get some good food, and walk around and shop. I appreciate the suggestions so far!

Oh, and also about the reservations, should I plan on making reservations? Also do these places have english menus? Any other resturant tips? I don't want to be the "Stupid American" if you know what I mean...

How about restaurants at Shinjuku skyscrapers?

[Misono - Kobe beef steak]

Shinjuku Sumitomo building - 20+ restaurants from 49F to 51F. All have nice view of Tokyo downtown.
http://www.gnavi.co.jp/sumitomobldg/

One of them is a Kobe beef steak house. The restaurant name is "Misono"
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g348502/
Phone: 03-3344-6351
Average budget: 17,000 Yen per person

[New York Grill at Park Hyatt Shinjuku]

This is also at one of skyscrapers at Shinjuku. The view from the restaurant is great.

http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/h...x.jsp#4048
Phone: 03-5322-1234
Dinner course starts from 11,000 Yen.

[Ukaitei restaurants]

There are 2 Ukaitei steak houses in Tokyo (Ginza and Omote-sando) both has a Michelin star. Reservation is highly recommended.

Ginza Ukaitei
http://www.ukai.co.jp/ginza/
Phone: 03-3544-5252

Omote-sando Ukaitei
http://www.omotesando-ukaitei.jp/
Phone: 03-5467-5252

They are bit expensive but foods are awesome. The restaurants interiors are also great.

[Reservations]

I think probably this is the same as in U.S. in downtown area. At popular restaurants, tables are often full in dinner time, so reservations are recommended. But, as Elizabeth said, there are huge number of restaurants in downtown Tokyo, so if you are flexible enough, you can find restaurants just looking around.

Unluckily for you, most restaurants don't speak English, so it sometimes hard to make reservation over phone. If this is in case, try to find restaurants at major hotels. They speak English.

Also if you have any credit cards, go to their web site and check to see if they offer any reservation service. I have some credit cards, and many of them have "service desk" and they can arrange dinner reservation when I'm abroad where I can't speak local language.

The other option is TIC - Tourist Information Center at Yurakucho. It's at Kotsu Kaikan building, just out of JR Yamanote line Yurakucho station. They don't call restaurants on behalf of you, but they will suggest restaurants who can speak English or who has English menu that matches your criteria. Drop into this place at very 1st step when you go to Tokyo, then you can ask many things. You can also get some useful English maps as well.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/e...l/tic.html

The last option is: Stay one of major hotels at downtown Tokyo, and use their concierge.

[Tips]

- Tips for Tip

No tipping custom in Japan. You don't have to leave tips on your table after dinner. (While some luxurious restaurants includes tips onto their bill though...)

- Pay at cashier

In U.S. at most restaurant, customer pay at table. I mean - Waitperson see if you finish the foods and put bill on your table when you finished your foods. You will put money or card on it, then waitperson pick it up, and come back with change, or credit card strip to get signature. Right?
This procedure isn't common in Japan.

In Japan, waitperson will put bill on your table when the last food is served. When you finish your food and want to leave, you just pick your bill up and go to cashier which is usually near entrance/exit and pay there. Some foreign people don't know this procedure and wait long time with putting their money on bill at their table... Expensive restaurants like I listed above are exception. Waitperson at such restaurants know how foreign people behaves, but you can also go to cashier to pay that isn't rude here in Japan.

2 restaurants I absolutely love in Tokyo are La Fonda de la Madrugada and Barbacoa. The first one is an authentic Mexican restaurant with chefs and musicians brought here from Mexico. It's in a basement and looks like a Mexican courtyard. Gorgeous and there are mariachis that play music at your table! Prices start at around 5000 yen per person. The other is a Brazilian, all-you-can-eat churrasco place. It's soooo good. The meat is so tender. If you want meat, this is the place to go!! Here are the URLs: http://www.eok.jp/restaurants-bars/...acoa-grill http://www.fonda-m.com/

Posted By Primemas on 29 Apr 2010 07:52 PM
Girl you should have come to me sooner...google directions to Pap house in shabuya. If you go make sure you get the garlic rice(it has bacon chunks in it!!!) Me and Lisa went last month, so far it is the best Yakiniku place we've eatin at.

Garlic rice ... bacon ... OMG that sounds awesome!

Posted By AdinaVerbena on 18 Aug 2010 02:18 PM

Posted By Primemas on 29 Apr 2010 07:52 PM
Girl you should have come to me sooner...google directions to Pap house in shabuya. If you go make sure you get the garlic rice(it has bacon chunks in it!!!) Me and Lisa went last month, so far it is the best Yakiniku place we've eatin at.

Garlic rice ... bacon ... OMG that sounds awesome!

no, it is awesome lolz.