Ah yes, the Lexington Queen. Bill Hersey had it right. As a friend of mine, a deeply religious but horny old coot says about the place (in his room in college he had a picture of the Pope on one wall, and on the other, pictures of all his conquests): "one day God opened up the heavens and deposited a slice of it on earth, and that place we shall call Lexington Queen."

You should also try Feria, same deal, just newer.

This is the place (which is kind of like an Onsen -public mineral bath - theme park):

http://www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp/...OdeoOnsen.html

Btw, is there a VIP section at the LQ? I´ve only been there a few fleeting times looong ago so wouldn´t know.

I was at a great Izakaya last week. It is apparently part of a chain. I think it is called Toridori. I have the business card but was only able to find it by searching on the phone number since I can't type in Japanese.

Also we went to a great sushi place near the fish market one night and while I have the business card there is no phone number so I have no idea how to convey any information about it to you. :confused: :)

How about Gonpachi in Nishi-Azabu? It was where then PM Koizumi invited G.W.Bush for yakitori during his state visit in 2002. From there Roppongi Hills (a megacomplex of establishments) is only a few minutes away.

Sasagin, a nice sake pub/izakaya in Yoyogi-Uehara, 5 mins from Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. Dozens of sake to choose from, and an interesting variety of food.

Sasashu, an old world place on the west side of Ikebukuro, I like the grilled duck

A couple of view bars:
New York Bar in the Park Hyatt
Cerulean Tower Hotel in Shibuya

For a different experience, who knows how long these areas will be around:
Golden Gai in Shinjuku
Nonbei Yokocho, across the street and to the right of JR Shibuya
Shomben Yokocho, out the west exit of JR Shinjuku and turn right, parallel to the tracks.

And I always like to stop at Heartland in Roppongi Hills at least once for a beer or three.

Isn't there a hefty cover charge to get into this one?

The two times I have gone there, I was also staying in the hotel, but my wife and I just walked in there.

I have been to this bar and the charge was a service charge tacked onto your bill when you left. I was there for a treat and a drink once while checking out the bar that Bill Murray sat in. ;P (paid about $52 total to have fun up there - non alc cocktail and fruit bowl packed to the brim with assorted fruits!)

Sanosuke!

Thanks!

Should have phrased the question differently:

"Isn't there a hefty cover charge to get out of this one?" :D

"It was where then PM Koizumi invited G.W.Bush for yakitori during his state visit in 2002.

This is Japanese for "no self-respecting Japanese, except those squiring foreign visitors, would be seen dead at this place".

You have to book this place in advance, I hear, and it isn't that easy to get a booking.

The reference is to the New York bar at the Park Hyatt and yes, there is a Y2000 cover charge when there is entertainment (most all evenings). This is charged even to hotel guests. I believe there is no cover charge during the day or on the few nights when there is no entertainment.

:D

I was there last week but it was paid for as part of entertaining a partner so I didn't notice the cover. Is that Y2K/person or party? Anyway the live jazz was surpassed only slightly by the amazing view. One amazing spot to have a drink and listen to music! Seems like the perfect atmosphere for celebrating special occasions.

Lexington Queen? How have I not been aware of this before? I cant remember the names of the places in Rappongi although I think I remember a nearby place called Akasaka Lips maybe. Hmm, I may need an early 2007 MR.

In terms of food my favorite for sushi is Kyube in Ginza. Kyube is very expensive, Edo Gin is less expensive and also very good.

Another suggestion is to be sure to visit some of the big department stores in Ginza or Shinjuku and the huge store at Matsukoshi store at Nihonbashi. Especially since it is near Christmas there will be things like Christmas singers in the multistory atrium. Singing in English of course. :) The store itself is amazing.

And for an inexpensive meal I heartily recommend, Mosburger. Get the spicy burger and a bottle of green tea. Beats most US chains hands down, on par with In and Out burger in my opinion.