I
t doesn't matter whether you are
from Mexico or Japan, China or Deutschland. Danish pastries at the
Solvang Bakery and other local shops such as Danish Mill Bakery are
popular with everyone who stop in the Central Coast town inhabited by
some great Danes.
Having gone through numerous
evolutions and the fickled public tastes, Solvang has seen the
knick knack shops come and go, but bakeries have had staying power
throughout it all. While many come to dine on a tasty roll, butter
cookie, 3 Aebleskivers topped with raspberry jam and powdered
sugar, a chocolate-coated waffle cone filled with ice cream or a rich
butter cream cake, the most fun is trying them all. Head into a bakery
shop such as Danish Mill Bakery or Solvang Bakery and order a sampler
box filled with a dozen or so pastries. Cream puffs are a delight and go
well with the cakes, cookies and rolls that you can take to any host or
share with your family and friends over a great coffee brew, some cider
or even a local wine.
Of all the shopping in Solvang
(and there is plenty), we'd have to say the most gratifying is the food
and pastries. In addition to fantastic pastry recipes, try a Danish
smorgasbord meal, some of Solvang's great red sweet&sour cabbage, Danish
sausage, pork chops or event a hot dog for the simple pleasures. You can
buy an aebleskiver pan in several restaurants around town and take home
the recipe and the goods to make your very own.
The Latin saying, "Clothes make
the man", offers food for thought when looking at the pictures of
the Solvang restaurants above. The iron work, pitched roofs, ornate
lanterns, wood panels and bright colors on the buildings make shopping
more appealing. In Solvang, there still are many authentic Danish
descendants who speak in their native tongue (in addition to English)
and serve the public with that honest, hard-working approach that
includes so much pride.