As I am a Pleasant Hill resident, Chopin's is my favorite of favorites and I eat there a lot. The menu is somewhat spartan and rarely changes, but what they have is out of this world! What they serve reflects the cuisine of their native Warsaw area of Poland. Nearly everything they serve is house made, saurkraut is probably the only thing that isn't. The owner is beyond charming and it is not unusual to see her in the dining area making sure that everything is to the patron's liking. This is not fast food, so don't go in expecting your cheeseburger to arrive in less than a minute, but any wait is well worth it. Try the dill pickle soup (you will have to ask for it), I'm addicted.

I first tasted a Sachertorte when I was 19 at the Hotel Sacher. I ate it the way it is traditionally consumed, by dipping each piece in schlag (whipped sweet cream) and a sip of sweetened strong coffee with cream. The cake is made to be part of this threesome and is greatly diminished otherwise. I have a similar experience with dark chocolate and cabernet, there is just something about the combination. I loved it then and it was just as good when I returned to Vienna 40 years later in 2008. Remember, it is an Austrian pastry that derives its flavor from the chocolate and butter, not the sugar. You can get the recipe from their cookbook "Das Grosse Sacher Bachbook" or their new one, "Sweet Things from the Hotel Sacher". There is also an adaptation at epicurious.com complete with a video. Experiment, learn to appreciate the tastes of different cultures. Expand your palate.