When my wife and I first met and got together, we took many the trip to Solvang, a Danish-ish community up in the Santa Ynez Valley. Back then we enjoyed walking through the shops, having pastries, and buying needlework. This evening I drove over to Solvang for dinner.
The town is no longer what it was in the 1980s. Many of our favorite stores are gone (although some are still there). There is perhaps one needlework shop. Many of the danish restaurants, such as Mollekron, are gone. They all seem to have been turned into wine-tastings or Mexican restaurants. I guess that reflects the changes in the valley, particular those brought by the Chumash Casino next door. However, some are still there…. and so, another restaurant review, because I’m feeling a little Posty McPosty tonight.
One of the surviving Danish restaurants in Solvang is a little place called The Red Viking. I’ve been there before: once on a business trip to Santa Maria with ellipticcurve (or was it Max), we stopped there for lunch. I remember having the Roast Pork, and finding it excellent. Tonight, I had the smorgasbord. It was quite good: the usual cold meats and salads, with excellent sausage, mashed potatoes, red cabbage, and meatballs. My tummy is happy.
