"Experience Dining"

"Experience Dining"

One of the most touristy but essentially fun experiences to be had in Dresden is a meal at Erlebnis Restaurants (Experience Dining). Two period restaurants offer meals, decor, and costumes of a particular historical era. Yes, it's tacky and even corny, but it's also extremely entertaining, and even Dresdeners get a big kick out of it. Both restaurants have the same basic menu of standard German food with specialties relevant to their particular themes. The food is good, the prices decent. Be sure to try the Dresdner Trichter (Dresden Funnel), an interesting story of the excesses of August the Strong followed by a sample of a homemade herbal liqueur. Reservations, though not essential, are recommended.

Sophienkeller. One of the liveliest restaurants ($) in town re-creates an 18th-century beer cellar in the basement of the Taschenberg Palace. The furniture and porcelain are as rustic as the food is traditional, including the typically Saxon Gesindeessen (rye bread, panfried with mustard, slices of pork, and mushrooms, baked with cheese). The Sophienkeller is popular with larger groups; you might have to wait if you're a party of three or fewer. During the wait, check out the bread baker near the entrance.[. Taschenbergpalais, Taschenberg 3. 0351/497-260. AE, DC, MC, V

Pulverturm. Dine with remnants of the Saxon army as they defend Dresden against enemy invaders. Each room is decorated in the style and with the weapons of Dresden's attackers, be they Turkish, Swedish, or Russian. The ambience at this eatery ($) is militarily spartan, with medieval weaponry, the odd cannon, and lots of roast meat. Try the suckling pig (Spanferkel); groups of ten can enjoy the "Executioner's Last Meal". [. An der Frauenkirche 12. 0351/262-600. AE, DC, MC, V