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Delicious Delights
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OPPOSITE PAGE: KEVIN STEELE. THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: COURTESY ROOT 246, CHUCK PLACE.
Whether you’re looking for signature Scandinavian sweat treats, a romantic wine-country dinner or an al fresco picnic, you’ll find it—along with much more—in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. From casual to upscale and Japanese to Mediterranean, the dining here is delightful variety. he intoxicating aromas at Solvang’s Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates and authentic Danish bakeries such as Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Olsen’s
and The will lure you in with mouth-watering, flakey pastries, all-butter shortbread, real whip cream napoleons, chocolate éclairs, pastries, kringles, marzipan, almond rings, cakes, cookies, tarts and breads. Some of the bakers are third- and fourth-generation Danes. Sample traditional Danish and American specialties such as smorebrod (open face sandwiches), aebleskiver (pancake balls) and medisterpolse (sausage) at long-time local favorites such as the Greenhouse Café-A Nordic Bistro and the Red Viking Restaurant. Also in Solvang, Cecco Ristorante offers rustic Italian-Mediterranean creative cuisine. River Grill at The Alisal serves up savory California classics with a Central Coast flair accompanied by panoramic golf course view. The sophisticated Root 246, adjacent to Hotel Corque, features signature farm-to-fork cuisine and an extensive selection of world-class wines. Succulent Cafe and Trading Company has homemade charcuterie and fresh meals for lunch and dinner. Avant Tapas & Wine in Buellton sources local ingredients for creative menu pairings served with more than 30 wines on tap. The casual yet elegant Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café featured in the 2004 Oscar-winning movie Sideways offers fresh, local winefriendly cuisine for lunch and dinner daily, along with over 500 local and international wines in its renowned retail shop. In Santa Ynez, the new Ranch & Reata Roadhouse with its “contemporary cowboy cuisine” and signature cocktails offers fresh twists on some classic fare; frequently accompanied by live musical concerts. Mild, sun-soaked winters and a year-round growing seaDanish Village Bakery Solvang Bakery
son make the valley a ripe location for eating fresh and local. Along with delicious variety is an ever-changing culinary scene that has evolved to embrace the locavore and farm-totable movements. You’ll find chefs prowling the bustling Solvang Village Farmers Market every Wednesday afternoon year-round. Seasonal farm stands also offer overflowing bins of fresh produce, lavender, olive oils and more throughout the valley. (See listings on page 16.) Don’t-miss specialty food shops include everything from locally-made olive oils and balsamic vinegars to chocolates and fudge. The amazing culinary cornucopia continues with Chinese, Mexican, Italian and German restaurants, along with family-friendly pancake houses, sandwich shops, brew pubs and al fresco dining galore. On your culinary calendar, be sure to include Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week (January); Taste of Solvang Food & Wine Festival (March), Danish Days (September) and dozens of wine-maker dinners paired with local foods year-round. (For complete details, delve into the Dining Guide on pages 43-47.)