do sides make the difference

[Innkeeper]

IMHO it would be rare to concentrate on matching with side dishes. I'm not talking about separate courses here as I'm sure you understand.

Some exceptions I can think of are steamed asparagus with Hollandaise sauce served with a simple entree, and things of that nature.

For your dishes:

1. Off dry Riesling.

2. Light to medium Zinfandel or Shiraz.