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The Albergo can be described as a temple of luxury right in the heart of Western Berlin?s Wilmersdorf district. Don?t get confused by the name of this former Russian Orthodox cathedral that refers to a small guesthouse in Italian, for the handsome, dignified building has an interior that is in complete contrast to its rather austere Venetian red façade. Artists from Florence have transformed this unique hotel into a gallery and the rooms into works of art.

Every detail, from the Florentine murals and terrazzo floor to thirty-six stylish red and gold bedrooms, baroque wall mirrors and individually produced cherry wood period furniture pays tribute to Italian renaissance.

The charming atmosphere of the Albergo restaurant with its sumptuous breakfast buffet offers a wonderful start to the day.

Santini is often referred to as the culinary heart of Albergo. Whether you wish to enjoy a relaxing lunch in the terrace garden or dinner in the opulent interior of a gourmet restaurant, the venue represents Italy?s love of life in its purest form.

After having fresh pasta or a delightful three-course meal, you could retire downstairs to the wine cellar and sample the large selection of Italian wines sitting by the fireside. Dining at Santini may well turn out to be an experience to remember.

Berlin's Kurfürstendamm is home to a number of boutiques by leading designers, drawing fashionistas by the hordes, while the hotels and restaurants in this upscale boulevard are equally popular with locals and visitors alike. In the midst of all these trendsetting shops is the Austeria Brasserie, an elegant and very chic French-inspired restaurant, where you could indulge in some of the best oysters, lobster, fish and other delicacies.

As you enter Austeria Brasserie, the serene atmosphere sets to work, lulling your senses, helping you to fully relax and enjoy the fabulous food on offer. The plush furnishings, warm lighting fixtures, and eclectic murals on the walls create an ambience that is quietly refined. You could choose to sit in the restaurant over an elaborate meal with coffee and cocktails later in the stylish lounge or if you just want a snack, say a homemade pie, then the bistro will suffice, providing you with a number of options for some light enjoyment.

For oyster lovers, there are well known names in the menu that will trigger a keen sense of anticipation whilst those who prefer lobster could try it grilled, with tarragon mayonnaise, cream and chervil vinaigrette. The boiled version, served cold, with garlic and cocktail sauce also makes a handsome dish, while butter poached langoustines with noodles and Newburg sauce is a veritable treat indeed.

Amongst the appetizers, the choices are numerous, and you could try out the pot roast goose liver with pear and Mesclin lettuce salad; spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, basil, parmesan, garlic and chilli, or pumpkin cream soup with saffron and crayfish. Moving on to the more substantial dishes, the sea bass in salt crust with spinach and parsley potatoes; a large sole meunière with glazed vegetables or the oven roasted dorade filled with Provençal herbs and served sautéed with fennel, all deserve special mention.

Austeria Brasserie also has some specials lined up, and you could treat yourself to Russian caviar, served with crème fraiche and foil potato or different variations of smoked salmon with red horseradish and sour cream. Desserts are not left behind in this quest for culinary excellence and a mere sampling will prove that they have hit it spot on. Whether it is the crème brûlée, delicately sprinkled with brown sugar, or the mousse au chocolat with Valrhona chocolate, kumquat compote and vanilla cognac foam, or the sorbets and homemade tarts, these confections are almost bound to afflict you with calorific amnesia of a high order.

Not content with just a selection, Austeria Brasserie has an entire walk in wine cabinet with over 140 choices from across the world. Two different temperatures are maintained, ensuring that the optimum level is retained consistently. 

While this idyllic restaurant is well suited for a meal with friends or family, their business lunch menu has some delicious options and is just the thing over which to spend some quality time with your associates.

The most striking feature of Shochu is probably its location in close proximity to the majestic chariot horse topped Brandenburg Gate, one of Europe's most famous landmarks and the former entryway from East to West Berlin. A close second, is the fact that it is situated within the charming and elegant Adlon Kempinski Hotel that has been one of Berlin's most luxurious destinations for over a century.

Shochu is the name of a Japanese alcoholic beverage and there are no prizes for guessing that Japanese bartending is more of a celebration at this stylish bar. Enlivened by bar specialist Matthias Reeder and his team, this concept follows Japanese philosophy and way of life and is poised on the crossroads of tradition and modern trend, as ever so present in Japan.

The interior is designed by renowned German lifestyle designer Anna Marie Jagdfeld and you cannot help but feel like a king upon entering Shochu. The walls are covered in a combination of rare, ceiling-high, gold-plated panels carved in traditional Chinese style as well as bronze coloured silk. Dark wood, leather, slate and black lacquer turns the bar into an intimate place. The bright bar itself is decorated with jade-mosaics and yellow marble. A big fireplace, open to both sides, divides the room into several small sections.

The menu is divided into two categories; under the section titled 'emergence', it offers classic recipes from over 200 years of cocktail history. The 'teachings' section presents exclusive Shochu creations blended with flavours such as nashi pear, sesame, green tea and jasmine flowers. Take the refreshing chugoku, for example, created with Shochu, grapes, jasmine tea and elderflower sugar.

Fresh and new creations inspired by Tim Raue, Adlon's Food Director and the man behind Shochu Bar, add flair to the menu. Restaurants Uma and MA Tim Raue focus on providing diners with some of the finest Japanese and Chinese dishes and Raue's obvious passion for freshness, new flavours and the harmony between food, the body and spirit is clearly reflected there; his creations vitalize as he does not use carbohydrates like white sugar or refined flour.

The classy bar has definitely set new standards both in Berlin and internationally. Shochu warmly welcomes customers till 2:00am.

Turkish immigrants may well deserve credit for pioneering the döner kebab business in Berlin but Hasir is not your average kebab joint; it's where Berliners and tourists alike could just get a little slice of Turkey. This family run business with six outlets across Berlin has been introducing customers to a riot of flavours in all their dishes from the grilled lamb fillet to the mandatory humus and kuver.

The one at Mitte takes the cake for resembling a glamorous market with shimmering gold effect walls and subdued brown tints. While Hasir in the Adalberstraße is where it all started and at the Ocakbasi next door, meat dishes are char-grilled before serving. Pop a question to the chef in the open kitchen just in case curiosity gets the better of you. At Wilmersdorf, the décor is replete with Oriental touches and draws in prominent people from the world of politics, culture and business. The interior at Schöneberg is designed in a Turkish style with large murals and chequered floors while at Spandau it's all mellow with soft lighting and earthy hues.

The buzz in the restaurant is reflected in the kitchen where chefs are busy crafting Turkish delights such as lamb chops with rice, fried potatoes and salad, medallions of veal with mushroom sauce. Chicken schnitzel is roasted in a pan with tomatoes, sweet pepper, onions and mushroom and served in a clay pot.

Grilled delicacies include minced meat served on pita bread covered with a spicy sauce and topped with yogurt and herbs, and beyti, minced lamb barbequed on a skewer, seasoned with slices of radish, spicy onions, parsley, pepperoni and grilled tomato. Seafood is not forgotten on the menu; expect to see poached sea bass with tomato sauce, green pepper and garlic and giant prawns with mushrooms in a white wine sauce.

Desserts include Middle Eastern favourites like pastry of dough threads in honey syrup and nuts filled with almond crème and the Turkish rice pudding, while those who are less adventurous could settle for a very special crème brûlée.

The French inspired Brasserie Am Gendarmenmarkt is one of those places where style meets substance effortlessly in a setting that is sophisticated yet casual. The location of this restaurant in the heart of historic Berlin is another factor that contributes to its chic elegance, particularly as it is right in the centre of the fascinating cultural life and grandiose architecture that is so prevalent in the Pigeon Strasse.

Comfortably casual, the restaurant fits the mould of an upmarket Parisian Brasserie with ease and the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere is perfect if you want to linger over lunch or a dinner with someone special. The stylish lounge with its opulent Art Deco prints is just the place to add that hint of glamour to your events and meetings, and it's equipped with the latest technology to ensure that your presentations are carried out seamlessly. The terraces and patio, on days when the weather is clement, are a delightful setting for a lazy afternoon over a delicious bouillabaisse.

Fresh, seasonal produce, which hasn't travelled too far to reach your plate, forms the basis of the dishes that emerge from the kitchen. The cuisine is French although the German hints are inevitable and add to the overall enjoyment of the food. Consider for example the potato and watercress cream with grilled shrimp or the consommé of parsley root with Parmesan ravioli; the delicate blend of flavours and textures spur you on to anticipate the next course with mounting pleasure.

For starters, you might have the duck liver with potato salad and winter truffles or the beef with capers, spicy cucumber, anchovy fillets, shallots and boiled quail on toasted bread. Main courses bring to light the German connection with the wiener schnitzel from the veal topside while the calf's liver in port wine sauce with balsamic shallots lends to a lighter and flavourful taste. If lamb is more to your liking, then the saddle of lamb with herb crust on rotweinjus beans and bacon could be more favourable.

Surprisingly, there's also a slight Italian twist, with homemade ravioli and tagliatelle, while the steaks offer a hearty alternative with the Black Angus breed heading the list, and dishes might feature such appetizing meals as the châteaubriand with vegetables and herb béarnaise or the 8 oz sirloin with broad beans and dried tomatoes.

The French are on top form when it comes to dessert and in this aspect too, the Brasserie does not lag behind with delectable choices such as mousse of white Valrhona chocolate and apple strudel with raspberry sorbet or crème brûlée ruling the list. There's also an exquisite selection of cheeses for the connoisseurs.

The wine list offers an eclectic selection which spans the wine producing countries in the New and Old World ending with an entry from South Africa, Fusion V 2004, which is a neo-classical variant that has found numerous enthusiastic takers. Their comprehensive Website outlines further details regarding menus and offers.

This uber chic supper club in Berlin is sleek, sexy and very modern with all the elements of a trendy hotspot prominently visible, making it a very happening place to head out to, once darkness sets in. But the magnificent views of the Spree River are best during sunny days, and so it's also the ideal spot for a leisurely lunch with friends and others of your circle.

The decor is minimalist and the attitude spunky, a combination that works remarkably well; no wonder you see all the fashionistas and trendy people there, sipping cocktails and nibbling on the delectable Asian inspired fare. In summer months, Spindler & Klatt is constantly busy on weekends with promoted events and celebrity parties that keep the buzz flowing.

The beach style loungers and bench type tables on the outdoor terrace are inviting while inside, there's a sense of vastness about the space, and the predominant white colour creates a soothing background. Apart from the central dining area, there's also a lounge and a freeform dance floor where nightly events take centre stage after 11 pm.

The gentle mix of Japanese and Thai cuisines lends their unmistakable nuancesto starters of chicken satay, skewered pieces marinated in coconut milk and peanut sauce. On a slightly different note is the gratinated goat cheese with chilli sweet potato, macadamia nuts, herb salad and watercress vinaigrette. But when it comes to the unusual, fillet of ostrich with lettuce, passion fruit dressing and pomegranates wins hands down.

The Japanese open kitchen brings a variety of exciting sashimi and tempuras; don't miss the tartar of salmon with Thai basil and ginger, or the marinated octopus with wild herbs and cilantro chilli salsa.

For the main event, the chefs delve into their repertoire and come up with the linguine with green asparagus, mascarpone cream and black truffle, whilst another choice could bring you grilled black guinea fowl with garlic gnocchi, root vegetables and ginger jus. Adding further to your dilemma is the Korean veal with wasabi mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach beef and ginger jus while the grill also beckons with the salmon or the rump steak atop wok vegetables with Thai basil and ginger. Rounding off this excellent meal are the fruity desserts, mango with vanilla brittle cream and yoghurt ice cream or the strawberry rhubarb cake with bourbon tinged mascarpone.

Cocktail choices run into the popular daiquiri, margarita, mojito and mai tais while those with a discerning eye will find the wine list to be an excellent compilation of European wines, whiskies and spirits. Beers, soft drinks, teas and coffees are some of the other drinks on offer and the extensive list seems to have something for everyone.

Berlin's night scene would be incomplete without a jaunt to Spindler & Klatt.