Where to eat in Wisconsin on a Lake Pepin fall colors drive

This getaway — the weekend-only country cousin to the Chef Shack food truck and Chef Shack Ranch restaurant — offers inspired farm-to-table cooking. Chef Lisa Carlson's smallish, always-appealing menu changes weekly, depending upon what's available from local purveyors. Don't skip Carrie Summer's desserts. The gracious service is matched by the serene, eclectic setting. Dinner Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday.

6379 Main St., Bay City, Wis., 1-715-594-3060

This charmer, on the National Register of Historic Places, is in the hands of chef Jeremy Been, who takes subtle twists on American classics: wedge salads, meatball sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, coffee-crusted New York strip steaks. The buffet-style all-you-can-eat brunch ($17) covers all kinds of hot and cold bases. The patio? Wow. Lunch Wednesday through Saturday, dinner Wednesday through Sunday, brunch Sunday.

215 N. Main St., Alma, Wis., 1-608-685-9669, hoteldevillealma.com

Veteran day-trippers know to drop into this warm and welcoming destination for enormous, inexpensive ($2 and $3) cream cones. Many often end up staying for the wide array of made-to-order sandwiches, a few soups and a handful of pizzas, all under $10. The handsome wine room is the place to ponder a dozen by-the-glass options, enjoyed over well-assembled cheese and sausage boards. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.