BlackSheep

Even if you don't think that you like German food, I still suggest trying the Weisses Brauhaus. Every year it gets better. They seem to have modernized and somewhat lightened the cooking while remaining traditional. The seasonal specials can be wonderful -- I don't know if the game will be on in force at Octoberfest -- we are usually there at the end of October. But last fall I had one of the dishes of my life -- meltingly tender filet bits of two types of venison skewered with fresh porcini mushrooms, served with very good, light spaetzel and a cabbage dish. Incredibly delicious.

My husband and I are the folks MarkK mentioned who also love Faude, and so I'll second his recommendation there -- especially for the Gourmet restaurant. The lower cost, regional one is a bit more variable, although that is where you will get the very very fresh trout and baby trout salad. If you are going in summer, the venison is also highly recommended from that menu, which last year came smothered in chanterelles. The Gourmet menu is consistently excellent. In addition, Chantal Baldinger has put together an excellent, extensive wine list. Just wish we were going again this year, but it's not to be. Another place I quite liked was the one star "Table du Gourmet" in Riquewihr.

You must be going to the big event in the Plymouth area. We had to cancel out unfortunately, as this is one of our favorite areas for wineries. Our favorites: Amador Foothill Vineyards (great zins, sangiovese and good sauvignon blanc. Also super people. This winery is also one of the best values I know, and we've been going there since the mid-1980s) Karly -- love the Sadie Upton zin and sometimes the Buck's Twelve Point. Also LOVE their sauvignon blanc and sometimes the Rousanne. Nice fresh bread and cheese in the tasting room. Easton Vineyards/Terre Rouge -- great Rhone varietals and zins. The Rhones are under the Terre Rouge label, while other varietals are (Bill) Easton Vineyards. Rarely do they make a wine I don't like, however they are definitely the high priced spread (although there are sometimes some bargains). Sobon -- great Rousanne. Often great vineyard designed zins. Interesting small museum of Amador county rural life. For food, there are several decent restaurants in Sutter Creek. Good place for coffee and pastries there two on a side street off the main drag, but still downtown. They roast their own coffee.

Actually, it's Cafe Maman (and Chez Papa)

My preferred pubs are those with a good selection of real ales, and preferentially some historical or other atmosphere that makes them otherwise interesting. We have quite a number of favorites in London, including The Lamb (on Lamb's Conduit), Lamb & Flag (Covent Garden area) which also has classic jazz on Sunday nights, Dog & Duck (Soho), a tiny Victorian gem, the Dove, a 400 year old Thames side place. We recommend using the "Good Pub Guide" as a start for finding places of special interest.

The Weisses Brauhaus is a must -- I agree. The other place we've liked and which has the best non-weissebier is Andechser Am Dom. This is a small, relatively new place just behind the Frauen Kirche. It's owned by Kloster Andechs, a famous monastery brewery just outside Munich. We've eaten dinner there and it's quite good. But mostly we like to hang out with the crowd (who tend to be more upscale professionals) on their heated patio. Everyone has been quite friendly and its an interesting scene.