Mortensen's Danish Bakery UPDATE - Solvang, CA

They've cleaned up since I last saw them, and their abundance of pride and BLM stickers in the doorway caused some fondness before I even entered. 

The pastries are rich, and beware - some things are super sweet. The Danish Waffle is like a giant, crunch cookie sandwich full of very sweet cream. 

My kid got a chocolate covered cookie sandwich filled with chocolate buttercream. Don't worry, we didn't let her eat it all. 

My favorite is the Raspberry Danish because it's Danish. It's a chewy pastry with a great texture, and it's significantly more balanced in sweetness. 

A much better experience this time around, a better bakery overall, I think. I don't know enough about pastry to truly compare it with the rest, but I would definitely make more "educational" visits here. 

Solvang Brewing Company - Solvang, CA

You're not here for the food or beer, you're here to sit and chill. 

Crunching on some chips in the Street Corn Bowl sets the scene to sip some beer or watch the latest game. I didn't love this concoction - the proportions feel off, but don't worry, the burgers are better. 

The Taproom Bacon Burger is exactly the kind of burger you'd expect in a brewery, a sizable patty topped with bacon and cheese. 

The Chicken Strips are a generous portion with a nice side of fries, perfect for sharing with or among your kids. 

The brews didn't quite rock my world, but it's nice to sip a bit of booze. The hazy and the lager were undoubtedly enjoyed. 

A nice outdoor area, great for gregarious groups or those with energetic small ones. There's even an area with games to keep kids amused. Good place to go, nice place to be. 

Peasants Feast - Solvang, CA

The name alone is motivating, and their policy of no dinner to go and no reservations removed any reservations I had of giving them a try. 

The lunch already impressive, and even a simple creamy carrot Soup just blew my mind. 

Mushroom Tacos are full of beautifully roasted, full-flavor fungi, with a texture so tender you'll never miss the meat. Dense corn tortillas encase pea shoots that add a bold and bitter finish and charred onions for sophistication to a dish already so refined. 

You must have the Pastrami Smoked Salmon. Those thick chunks of smoked salmon are so delightful, enhanced by red onion and capers and a kiss of cream cheese. 

The name "peasant" never made sense to me here because I've don't often find fare so refined. Don't miss this place - Even royalty rarely eats this well. 

Paula's Pancake House - Solvang, CA

Get all the pancakes.

Paula's Special has warm cinnamon apples on top. The color isn't pretty, but the taste surely is. The Danish pancakes combine the fluffiness of a flapjack with the thinner lightness of a crepe. 

Eggs can be any way - they make over-medium and scrambled quite well. Try a side of Danish sausage as well - the taste is of a salty and smooth fine-ground pork. 

I got it to go, and I loved every bite. It's the hearty, warm-your-heart breakfast you've always wanted, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. 

Mad & Vin - Solvang, CA

A short sojourn up to Solvang starts with a check-in at the lavish Langham, housing the much-lauded Mad & Vin. 

They start with so many stars for their easy accommodation of our noisy toddler, serving us in the "bar area" so we can lounge around on the opposite side of the lobby. 

The Ceviche is a fabulous starter - the fish is super fresh. A beautiful presentation, and their house-made hot sauce adds to the flavor without overpowering the fish. 

Korean Short Ribs channel the style with none of the rich sauce that defines the barbecue. But the ribs are a tender cut, perfectly grilled, with an infusion of bulgogi flavor. 

The toddler didn’t eat her Sliders so we had to help. They're the best thing on this menu and easily the best sliders I’ve had to date. The fluffy brioche bun adds flavor but doesn’t bury the beef, and these patties taste dry-aged - the flavor is so full. Even the side of fries is fantastic. 

A lovely place, an enjoyable meal, generous portions for the quality of food. It's too posh for kids to dine, but I still wouldn't skip it because their bar-area service is superb. 

Olsen's Danish Village Bakery - Solvang, CA

A little late-evening excursion brings us to the indulgence of Olsen's for some sweets. 

We start simply with a Cinnamon Crisp, a flat spiral of fluffy fried pastry, light and covered with a layer of cinnamon sugar dust. There are so many choices it's hard to get just a few, but this frisbee-sized dessert can feed a whole family. 

The crisp can be a bit much, but this Florentine made us fight. That ooey-gooey caramelized base is covered with a rich layer of chocolate, a giant disc of toddler delight. Too much sugar for someone so small so be prepared to break off a piece and hide the rest or take giant bites fast to get to it first. 

A great start to a lovely trip, but I don't think I can accurately judge. There are so many bakeries in Solvang, and I don't know enough about the Danish to decide which one is best. I did like Olsen's, though, so I'd gladly come back for something else, maybe a Danish or a kringle. 

Running Goose - Los Angeles

When searching for food, no one is running toward the Pantages, and you have to grab a quick wrap or settle for something not so cheap but a bit crude if you don't want to starve during any show you see. 

This one had good reviews, and the Game Lettuce Salad did good. Too much dressing per my personal preference, but it's a nice vinaigrette all the same, and the lettuce and fruits are fresh. 

Baked Brie is slathered unto toasted bread. It's alright, but even with the apricot on top, it's all a little bland. 

Our main is the Duck Confit, with a heavily blackened leg of decent duck, a bed of carrot puree, roasted sweet potato, and stalks of broccolini. All are fresh. Far from life-altering, but nothing to provoke a complaint.

 

Not great, but not bad either. I won't be running back to Running Goose, but there's no reason to run the other way either.