I just want to say that I returned from a recent 10 day trip (SLC to Arches/Bryce/Zion) and so luckily happened upon Hell's Backbone Grill!! It was like reaching heaven on earth. We had ok food until then and were driving along route 12 in what felt like the middle of nowhere - beautiful but nowhere to eat. This restaurant is amazing - food worthy of any major US city, and to find it in this corner of the world is simply incredible. The owner, Blake Spalding, greeted us so warmly, and everything was perfect. Had delicious butter lettuce with strawberries and pepitos, roasted garlic, steak quesadilla, homemade pasta, red trout, short ribs, and the jenchiladas. I even bought their book, I was so enthralled. I highly recommend this restaurant - it was one highlight of an amazing trip!!!

I just wanted to thank ttj and chowmouse for your great suggestions - they really helped us to have a great vacation! The ramen museum was a blast, namjatown/ice cream city/gyoza stadium also very fun. We had delicious ramen at Hakata Ippudo and are now looking forward to trying the NYC version. Had crepes in Harajuku (dessert for lunch - kids definitely liked that!) and a MUJI meal too. Found a fun kaiten and had a delicious sushi breakfast in Tsukigi too. Ate twice at Gonpachi which had great food - once in Shibuya and once in Odaiba. All in all a wonderful trip!! Thanks again and if you ever need help in NYC - let me know!!