Sorry for the double post in "Europe" - forgot to tag it.

Ingo, Karaksek, Quokka, All;

Would anyone have some restaurant recommendations for Dresden for Dec 11-13. I know that question can drive people crazy when it is not accompanied by a general framework of preferences, so here we go;

Cuisine; Deutsch, and only Deutsch. We do not travel to Germany to eat Italian, Chinese, or French. A love of traditional German food is a big reason for visiting. My wife has an unseemly addiction to Spaetzle and Jaegerschnitzel, and I to Brezeln and anything with the words Gebraten in it. We are a little out of range for the Spaetzle, I know, but it could be a deciding factor in a close race.

Atmosphere; Nothing fancy. Linen tablecloths is not our style - I would pick bench seating over a formal dining room. Something in a nice Keller or with a nice Kachelofen over in the corner. Dirndls, however kitschy, are not a negative

Location; We are staying in the Altstadt, but I am happy to take a taxi anywhere in town for the right meal.

Price; It doesn't matter, but the other criteria generally ensure something reasonable.

Thanks very much

An inexpensive place to start overdosing on german food:
http://cms.paulaners-dresden.de/open.../speisen/#void

An inexpensive place for german breakfast buffet:
http://www.planwirtschaft.de/index.htm

Schillergarten, on the Elbe in Blasewitz next to the Blue Wonder bridge: http://www.schillergarten.de/ (website in German)
Tram stop: "Schillerplatz" - no need for a taxi.

I hope Ingo shows up. I'm afraid he is stuck in the snow somewhere, wonder if he made it home at all last night.

"Dirndls [...] are not a negative".
Ok. But they aren't "German". They are Bavarian. Dresden is not in Bavaria.

Morning all,

yours truly made it home yesterday, but only barely. It helps that there are two options to get home, bus AND train. Still had to walk 25 minutes in the snowstorm, though. Anyway - it's a winter wonderland this morning! But cold.

So, back to the question. Both quokka and DAX gave excellent suggestions. In fact, they are my favourites! Still wondering where from DAX knows the Planwirtschaft!!

Other ideas right in the old town are Augustiner and Freiberger Schankhaus, both right on Neumarkt square. Or try Radeberger Spezialausschank at Bruehl's terrace.

Ingo

In case you intend to visit Bautzen, as we discussed before, my recommendation is Wjelbik, the Sorbian restaurant. Excellent, and very local, and there the waitresses wear traditional dresses (prettier than Dirndl;-)). The Sorbs are a Slavic people who live in that region, with their own tradiditons, culture, and language.
http://www.wjelbik.de/sorbisches-res...-hotel-lausitz (website in German)

hsv; If I see a Dirndl in Dresden, I will request that it be removed immediately.

Might be a Bavarian tourist! Or an overseas tourist... ;-)

For more dirndl sighting: http://www.pulverturm-dresden.de/?page=culinary&lang=en
I'd like to hear what Ingo think about the place as I've never been there but saw how festive it look on a friend's recent travel pictures. Costumed singers and dirndls serving Saxon sauerbraten and potato soup?

Ingo, I went to Planwirtschaft almost a decade ago, it's supposed to be a hang out institution for the locals, no dirndls there...

Pulverturm ... LOL ... definitely a place for tourists. I know locals who go there, too. Yes, costumed singers, "Augustus the Strong" appearing with his mistresses and other folks, joking in antique German ... frankly, it's not my cup of tea. But a good show for tourists. The food is ok, but I can get that better and cheaper at home. Btw, Sophienkeller in the basement of the Kempinski Taschenbergpalais is pretty much the same. Both restaurants are often booked by groups that party there. It can get loud but if you like it lively then that's a good choice.

DAX, I *love* Planwirtschaft. The name alone is fun People watching is fun there, too. All sorts of figures from suit and tie over young mothers with their babies to punks.In fact, I use to have breakfast there after a long night out in the Neustadt with friends. And their summer garden in the backyard is a great place to hang out anytime.

I like these, all which have their own beer:

The Watzke brewery, just across the Augustus Bridge. It’s a huge place, but it is separated into smaller dining areas and it has a nice cozy feel. Get a spot with a view of the “Golden Rider”

Brauhaus am Waldschlössen in Neustadt. Tram 11 stops right out front. It may feel a bit like being in Bavaria. Fabulous views of the city.

I also like quokka's recommendation for Schillergarten. The fixtures in the place are amazing!

And, Ingo's recommendation for Freiberger Schankhaus is a good one. I like their kellerbier.