[Solvang] A Day in Little Denmark

Location: Solvang, California
Date: April 2014

Solvang, CA is a little city in the Santa Barbara County around 130 miles north of Los Angeles. Founded by Danish immigrants, the whole city is Danish-themed. It's touristy, but in a cheesy-cute sort of way. It makes a good day trip from LA. And for a while you feel like you've stepped into one of Disney's wonder worlds following the whole evil-takes-over mayhem and the protagonists are living "happily ever after." 

Downtown Solvang

Cookies and cream.. Mmmm :)

Sunset in Solvang

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Succulent Cafe

Address: 1555 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
http://www.succulentcafe.com/

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Pork Belly Porchetta - chili buttered white beans, cippolini onions, wild arugula, chili oil {$27} 

A local gem. I was led here after a chitchat with a local resident I'm glad I followed through with her recommendation since there aren't too many choices here in Solvang (understandably) and none of the restaurants listed on the brochures sounded particularly attractive. I didn't have high expectations to begin with but this blew my mind. I've dined at more than enough restaurants in Southern California but this one really stood out. I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of the dishes considering what a small town it resides in. The homey/rustic feel of this eatery only made the experience more charming. 

The restaurant also sells a variety of homemade artisanal products such as "orange chamomile marmalade" and "beer mustard pickled carrots." Um... Cuuuute!

Roasted Baby Beet Salad - point reyes blue cheese, frisee, toasted hazelnuts, shallot, blood orange-pomegranate vinaigrette {$10½}

Creamy Carrot Soup ($8½} - Delicious. A must order! I've never had better carrot soup in my life.