Between the “oom-pa-pah” bands, the chicken dance...

Between the “oom-pa-pah” bands, the chicken dance and trips to the beer garden, the Oktoberfest reveler at Torrance’s Alpine Village will need some nourishment.

The top-of-the-line choice is the Emerald Room, located in a quiet corner of the Alpine Inn. An oasis of tranquillity compared to the jolly throngs in the Oktoberfest tent, the Emerald Room is decorated with green chairs and carpeting, and has three large chandeliers.

Most people here seem to order that old German favorite, sauerbraten ($10.95), pot roast that has been marinated in red wine and spices, browned, then simmered for hours. Tender slices of beef are the result, and they’re served with red cabbage and potato pancakes.

Roast venison ($15.95), with a mushroom sauce, is served with poached pears and dumplings. Shrimp are sauteed in white wine, garlic and lobster butter ($14.95).

During the week, dinner is served in the cavernous Alpine Inn. This isn’t a place for a quiet meal since there are usually 100 or so couples dancing to a live country band. It’s not too bad, though--the German food matches up surprising well with some good Patsy Cline tunes. You might try kassler rippchen ($9.95), a smoked pork loin served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, or hasenpfeffer ($11.55), which is stewed rabbit.

Over at the Alpine Market’s cafe, sandwiches are made with breads freshly baked in the adjoining bakery. One good one: the Westphalian ham sandwich ($5.55), served on a crusty French roll and made, of course, with that fine ham from pigs raised on acorns in Germany’s Westphalia forest. It’s cured, then slowly smoked over beechwood and juniper branches. For dessert, consider the crumbly cherry strudel ($1.85).

Alpine Village is at 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance. (310) 323-6520. The Emerald Room is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. The cafe is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.