Oh my, it's been three days since we dined at Andreas Keller, and I'm still thinking about that Cordon Bleu Schnitzel we had. I'm almost ready to turn back round and drive the 2.5 hours up to the mountain Barvarian village of Leavenworth just to order myself up another plate of that sinfully rich goodness. There's really no way around it. German food is rich - butter, meat and potatoes. We ordered three dishes - the Keller Sampler that included smoked park and sausages with fried German potatoes, red cabbage and sauerkraut. It was yummy, particularly the smoked pork that was like a thick cut of tender, juicy ham and the lightly tangy, caramelized red cabbage. We also had a grilled pork chop which was tasty, but it was thoroughly outdone by the Cordon Bleu Schnitzel which was cripsy without being oily. The Cordon Bleu cream sauce made the dish decadently rich, but went so well with the schnitzel. The spatzel pasta was almost like mac and cheese, a big hit with the kids. We were sharing the dishes family style and just had to order another plate of this creamy, crispy goodness. Both the kids and adults unanimously agreed that this was the best dish we ordered. On a cold winter's day, this rich meal was incredibly satisfying.

The restaurant is casual and perfect for families. The decor felt like a Bavarian beer celler. The waitresses were all dressed up in traditional German costumes. The service was friendly and pretty fast. To add to the festive atmosphere, an accordion player entertained us with German country tunes. All in all, a wonderful meal.

If you're in the area, Leavenworth Bavarian Village is worth a step especially during the holidays when the town is decked out in a full array of holiday lights. After a big snow storm, the quaint Bavarian buildings look like a small town in the Swiss alps. White fooftops heavy with a carpet of snow and twinkling holiday lights make you feel like you're lost in a gingerbread town. There are lots of picture opportunities to be had as you soak in the sound of German music in the town square.

There are a number of cute stores. Your kids will really enjoy a stop at Alpen Haus Gifts which carries many cute good quality toys. Mom will love a stop at the Tea and Kettle tea shop to sniff out an unusual blend of tea. There are so may to choose from. For a traditional German meal, stop in at Andreas Keller for the most delicious schnitzel that even your most conservative eater won't turn his nose up on it.

One of the oldest Chinese restaurants in San Francisco's Chinatown, Sam Wo is full of Old Chinatown character. It's a fun experience for kids to squeeze into this noodle shop and imagine what it was like in Chinatown in the 1800s. It may not be such a good spot if you have a baby or really young children, but kids 5 and up will find it an interesting experience. Love the hole-in-the-wall prices too.

Just thinking of the fried crab at R & G Lounge is making my mouth water. I don't usually like paying for crab at restaurants, but at R & G Lounge, you must order it. The light, crispy, salty batter on the crab is divine and the crab is always fresh. Their other dishes are also really good. In particular, their soy sauce chicken is the best I've had. I've not been able to replicate it. Sigh. Their beef brisket and turnip in claypot is so rich and clear at the same time.

The restaurant is pretty big, but for dinner, you'll be wise to call ahead for a reservation. Still, you might have to wait 15 minutes to be seated. There is a playground nearby in Portsmouth Square if your kids get restless. The service is typical of a Chinese restaurant. If you have a choice, ask to be seated upstairs, as there is a little more room between the tables for wiggle butts to move around safely.

This Chinese restaurant in downtown Mountain View has a pretty nice decor as far as Chinese restaurants go. The Cantonese cuisine is authentic and dependably good, but nothing exceptional. They also serve good dim sum at lunch time. There isn't usually a line even on the weekends if you arrive early. It's a fairly spacious restaurant, so your wiggle butts and strollers will be quite happy here.