April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Food lovers will be forever grateful to Japan for giving the world Kobe beef, sushi and fugu -- or puffer fish -- which must be prepared correctly to avoid poisoning. Here, in alphabetical order, are our suggestions for places where you can get those delicacies as well as international selections for business dining in Tokyo.

1. Argo: 1-4-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3- 3265-5504; http://www.tojo.co.jp

What: Contemporary French.

Why: Exceptional view of the wooded grounds and moat of the Imperial Palace during the day and at night the lights of the Marunouchi district. Chef Atsushi Yamashita’s talent for presentation adds to his cooking skill.

Where: Directly across the Hanzomon Gate of the Imperial Palace.

When: Best during the cherry-blossom viewing season in April, though make sure you reserve at least a month in advance. Otherwise, it’s easy to get a table at any time.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

2. Aurum: Jewel Box Ginza, 8-9-15, Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-6252-3251; http://vd08022501.mv.ymc.ne.jp/aurum

What: International kaiseki -- a modernist take on classic Japanese cuisine.

Why: Innovative dishes presented with elegance.

Where: Ginza.

When: Date place.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

3. Beige: Chanel Building, 10th Floor, 3-5-3 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-5159-5500; http://www.beige-tokyo.com

What: Pairing of the celebrity of Chef Alain Ducasse and Coco Chanel’s design.

Why: A tasting menu of French food with Japanese accents paired with wines. Try the beef with caramelized fennel and sweet and sour cherry marmalade. Save room for the cheese course.

Where: In the center of Ginza.

When: After a strenuous day of shopping at boutiques.

Bar: No.

Private Room: No.

4. Ginza Koju: No. 2 Sanyu Building, 8-5-25 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-6215-9544

What: Kaiseki.

Why: First-rate Japanese seasonal food served on dishes made by a master potter that may cost more than your meal. Unusual for a kaiseki restaurant, the chef is also a sommelier and pairs wines to the dishes.

Where: Ginza.

When: Important client dinner.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

5. Il Ristorante: 2-7-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-6362-0555; http://www.bulgarihotels.com

What: Stylish Italian with wine bar.

Why: Romantic dinner with first-rate desserts.

Where: In the Bulgari building in central Ginza.

When: First date.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

6. Kurosawa: 2-7-9 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3580-9638; http://www.9638.net

What: Shabu-shabu (Japanese-style beef and pork fondue)

Why: Top-notch meat.

Where: Around the corner from the Prime Minister’s residence. If you get lost, ask one of the many policemen.

When: Dinner with friends or colleagues.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

7. Kyubey: 8-7-6 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3571- 6523; http://www.kyubey.jp

What: Sushi.

Why: A Ginza institution, founded in 1935, Kyubey serves top-notch sushi in a friendly atmosphere.

Where: One street over from Ginza’s Chuo-dori in Ginza 8- chome.

When: Good lunch place at the counter or for formal dinners.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Several, for up to 24 people.

8. La Primula: 2-8-10 Azabu Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-5439-9470

What: Italian.

Why: Chef Akira Nigorikawa prepares two excellent menus a night. Try the homemade pasta and sausage.

Where: Up the street from Azabu Juban.

When: Very romantic dinner for two.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

9. New York Grill: Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-5322-1234; http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment

What: American-style steak.

Why: Easily accessible food for homesick Americans who feel they are Lost in Translation or want to be.

Where: 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjuku

When: Whenever.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: No.

10. Omotesando Ukai-tei: 5th Floor, Gyre Building, 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-5467-5252; http://www.omotesando-ukaitei.jp

What: Teppan-yaki (grilled steak and seafood).

Why: Japanese-style grilled steak and seafood served with French-accented sauces and a respectable wine list heavy on Burgundies. The interior features a baroque mixture of Venetian glass, glittering tiled walls and an ornate dessert room.

Where: In the Gyre building on Omotesando Boulevard.

When: Take a client to one of the private rooms or a date to the main grill room.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

11. Quintessence: 1st Floor, Barbizon 25 Building, 5-4-7 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-5791-3715; http://www.quintessence.jp

What: Whatever the chef, Shuzo Kishida, decides to serve that evening (there are no choices, but it will be French)

Why: Kishida is extremely creative and has an exceptional ability to balance flavors.

Where: A quiet neighborhood in Shirokanedai.

When: Whenever you can (the waiting list is up to two months long).

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

12. Ryugin: 1st Floor, Side Roponggi Building, 7-17-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: Fax: +81-3-3423-8003; http://www.nihonryori-ryugin.com

What: A steady flow of luxury foods: caviar, monkfish liver, foie gras, fugu, fatty tuna and Kobe beef.

Why: To impress your dining companion.

Where: On a quiet side street in Roppongi.

When: Suitable for either clients or dates.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

13. Sant Pau: Coredo Nihonbashi Annex 1-6-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3517-5700; http://www.santpau.jp

What: Whimsical dishes with Spanish roots. Cheese disguised as firecrackers, a so-called upside-down pizza.

Why: Good food with a twist.

Where: Behind the Coredo shopping complex.

When: Lighthearted date.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

14. Sin: Minami Aoyama 5-7-2 B1 Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-6419-3838; http://sin-tokyo.com.

What: Italian contemporary/wine bar.

Why: Extensive collection of Italian wines, innovative takes on classic Italian recipes, succulent lamb and pork and excellent desserts. Go for just a glass of wine and conversation or for a full dinner.

Where: Tucked between the boutiques off of Omotesando.

When: When you’re in the mood for a leisurely conversation with friends.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes.

15. Sushiko Honten: 6-3-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3571-1968.

What: Sushi.

Why: One of Ginza’s oldest sushi shops, with over 120 years of history. The pedigree and the prices give it access to some of the best fish in Tsukiji.

Where: Ginza.

When: An evening of exceptionally fine sushi.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

16. Takamura: 3-4-27 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3585-6600.

What: Ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant).

Why: Wonderful grilled foods, outstanding service, old- fashioned atmosphere.

Where: Up a lantern-lit stone path on a hillside in Roppongi.

When: For the ultimate in discretion. All guests have private rooms and are prevented from seeing each other.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Nothing but.

17. Usukifugu Yamadaya: 4-11-14 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Information: +81-3-3499-5501

What: Fugu.

Why: The potentially lethal puffer fish is served as sashimi, deep-fried and in a stew, all variations capturing the flavor. Make sure to try the sake with roasted fugu fins.

Where: On an obscure back street in Nishi Azabu.

When: Winter (fugu season).

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes.

(Bret Okeson writes for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer on this review: Bret Okeson in Tokyo at bokeson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 29, 2009 11:01 EDT