Flanking the southwestern fringes of Potsdamer, the JW Marriott hotel honours Berlin?s famous nightlife by decorating its impressively sized hotel, almost Corbusier-like in its shape and crispness, with green slashes of vertical light. At a casual glance, it could almost be a club. Inside, however, the reception?s marble flooring which seems to extend forever dictates its 5* otherness; its slick sheen could belong to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. To the right is the hotel?s flagship restaurant, another geographical jump, this time to Texas, maybe, or New York; to an archetypal American Steakhouse.

Also long, thin, and oblong in shape, the space is filled with hearty red velvet armchairs and illuminated by art-deco mustard lighting. The black and white wallpaper consists of humourous anthropomorphic portraits with larger, coloured art portraying all things Western; bison, buffalo skulls,  herds of cows. Americana music accompanies the evening; sometimes sultry, sometimes twangy, always relaxed, never too frenetic.
We peruse the menu over a glass of Geldermann Carte Blanche, a German sparkling wine which is dry, refreshing and compelling. As soon as we?ve ordered, we?re presented with a board of five steak knives from which to choose. It?s a fun touch and makes the meal immediately unusual and interesting; interactive almost. One knife is German, two are Italian and two are French. Two have serrated blades, the rest don?t. Each has its specific use, depending on th...