Roppongi Robataya, Tokyo

Possibly the most unique restaurant I've been too. Robataya is very expensive but worth the trip. A rustic country wood atmosphere greets you in this posh district of Tokyo. And the entire staff greets you by yelling.... IRASSHAIMASE!! (welcome). You will never see a staff having as much fun. The cooks kneel by these open grills waiting for you to call out or point at the evening's fresh fish and vegetables. They are all layed out before you like a big buffet and you pick and choose. It's a very traditional country Japanese dinner; mushrooms, giant peas, steak skewers, fresh fish. But no rice or noodles for a change.

You can even pick fresh fish and prawns from their water tank and it goes right on the grill. Then the big moment arrives where your waiter calls off your items - the entire staff repeats each item. Your cook proceeds to grill your items and serves them to you on these long paddles, again yelling out the item with a call and response from the other staff.

Absolutely a fun place given the many reserved restaurants we've eaten during our stay. My kids loved it. Forget the New York Grill, splurge and go here. As the Japanese saying goes "Ichigo, Ichie" which means one chance, one encounter....go for it!

Favorite Dish: There is no menu. The food is simply displayed on these bamboo plates and you pick and chose.