I literally got off the plane, had a shower, and went straight to Gonpachi to celebrate my 40th Birthday Bash! The place that inspired The House of Blue Leaves, and that kick-ass fight scene with Uma.
Gonpachi is iconic, yes it's touristy, expensive, and the food is so so....but if you are with a group of friends it really is somewhere memorable and fun! The food is modern Izakaya (small share plates). Three levels of dining, round lanterns lit, and an open kitchen surrounded by bamboo makes it a visual feast. It was one place I wanted to visit on my first trip to Tokyo.
I recommend making a booking as it does get busy at night. All up, I had a great birthday :)
Gonpachi | 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo Prefecture 106-0031, Japan