The traditional German restaurant — serving schnitzel, bratwurst, knackwurst, sauerbraten, and large quantities of beer — is rapidly disappearing in Germany.

His favorite dish to this day is sauerbraten, a pot roast marinated in vinegar and beer that his mother made when he was young.

But tough, stringy sauerbraten disappointed; so did lukewarm beef goulash merging chunks of tender meat, undercooked carrots and potatoes in a lively, tomato-paprika sauce.