Restaurants inside hotels are having a renaissance. And that trend is exemplified in JW Marriott Nashville’s 34th-floor Bourbon Steak restaurant from Michael Mina.
The eatery’s food, drink and unbeatable views have become so coveted, that Nashville locals are starting to outnumber hotel guests at the tables. Even celebrities flock to the steakhouse in the sky—Ringo Star and Stephen Curry are among the many to walk inside the doors.
So what makes Bourbon Steak so enjoyable? Although the initial attraction may be the 360-degree downtown views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in both the restaurant and Sky Bar, JW Marriott Nashville’s Hanna Bankston said that diners return for the unique food and beverage experience.
“Once guests dine with us, they quickly learn that the views are merely an accessory to the overall experiences we work tirelessly to create,” she said.
Photo: Salmon tataki. Credit: Lisa Diederich Photography
“From curating one of Nashville’s most expansive wine lists featuring over 350 bottles, to providing unique tableside offerings that include caviar service and a vintage craft cocktail program, we continually strive to deliver an exceptionally unique dining experience in Nashville.”
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The namesake dish of the restaurant is painstakingly created: Every cut of steak is organic grass-fed and hormone-free beef that is hand-selected through an auctioneer who personally inspects each.
The in-house butcher individually prepares each steak, which is slow poached in a warm bath of house rendered beef tallow, clarified butter and proprietary blend of aromatic spices, then finished on a wood-burning grill of oak, hickory and cherrywood.
(Photo: Instant Bacon appetizer with shredded brussels, tempura oyster and bourbon-soy glaze. Credit: Emily Dorio)
The steak alone is enough to make patrons coming back for more, but the menu is expansive and can serve other palates—salmon tataki, lobster pot pie and shellfish platters will satisfy seafood fans, while creative appetizers and sides like the foie gras donut, black truffle mac and cheese, and classic salads like The Wedge, make for great group samplers.
For smaller groups that want a private dining experience, there are three private dining rooms ranging in capacity from 12 to 24 people that are all still outfitted with the restaurant’s signature floor-to-ceiling windows.
Two of the rooms are equipped with flat screen HD TVs, ideal for slideshows for special occasions or information sharing with colleagues over a client dinner.
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