Restaurant Villa am See - Tegernsee

Having been to the dichterstub'n and to the gourmet restaurant ueberfahrt in rottach-eggern on the tegernsee (see my reviews), i have grounds for comparison.first, the location on the east side of the lake affords the superior view of this most enchanting scenery of lake and mountains, augmented by the restaurant's location, looking out over the treetops.we ate on the terrace -- well-shaded on a very sunny day, big, comfortable chairs, everything just right (maybe the color palette is a bit pale, but that's a matter of taste).they serve only a set menu. one can have the whole menu (advisable) or choose individual items from it. after two delicious amuse-bouches -- the outside limit, i think! -- there was the fois gras dish, one of the very best i've had (cold, of course, which is the only way i'll eat it, since heating it in any way ruins the viscosity of the fat, which is the best part besides the flavor), paired with an excellent kracher beerenauslese. with the rest of the meal, we had a 2011 loimer käferberg first growth grüner veltliner, which was excellent on its own but also a perfect pairing with the wonderful food that followed: norwegian scallops on a cream sauce with leeks, chanterelles, and chives; a poached (just slightly over, the one small disappointment) saint pierre; mango sorbet as palette cleanser; pigeon breast done perfectly and to die for; finally, a most impressive cheese plate (we skipped the buttermilk mousse), followed by pralines.whereas ueberfahrt is too intellectual and precious, wanting you to focus all your attention on the food, which is trying, and whereas the dichterstub'n has great, satisfying food, but in anything but an inspiring setting, the VILLA AM SEE combines the finest food (schwingshackl, the chef, had two michelin stars at his previous restaurant; he just opened this one in the spring, april, i think; so it will probably get stars in due course, and with them probably higher prices; go now) with the loveliest of settings.i would choose villa am see any day over the other two.a wonderful bonus: across the street, right on the water -- a small bistro (in a renovated boathouse) on the shore and a boat on the water. here one can have simpler meals. but here one can also have some of the best cakes and pies you'll find anywhere. having skipped the dessert in the main restaurant, we crossed the street and sat at the shore for another hour or so, soaking in the sun and gorgeous views, while enjoying the best Pflaumenkuchen (plum tart) i've ever had, including, i'm sorry to say, even my grandmother's.going to villa am see on a beautiful day is a fabulous culinary experience, heightened greatly by the astonishingly beautiful setting that makes you want to just sit there forever and soak it in.with good friends or family, you're in for a very happy afternoon or evening. if you can manage it (quite expensive, of course, but not outrageous), don't pass it up.