The annual Solvang walking and tasting extravaganza celebrated 26 years in March and offered delicious delights and savory flavors to passport holders who were also celebrating St. Pat’s Day. The March 17th stroll through the historic destination was festive and fun. The annual weekend event ran from Friday, March16 through Sunday March 18, with a collection of sips and tasty bites along the route through downtown Solvang.

Taste of Solvang 2018

The 26th Annual Taste of Solvang Tasting Trail featured more than 30 taste stops at restaurants and retailers around the village featuring delicious bites at restaurants, retailers and more. Weekend activities included a kick-off party, walking and tasting and a grand finish with a Sunday Brunch created by Chef Brooke Stockwell that looked to be an outstanding way to spend a Sunday. A ride on the Solvang Trolley gave visitors a birds eye view of the renowned Solvang Theatre, Actors Cafe, and Hans Christian Anderson Park, along with additional historic sites of local importance in the community. Everyone loved the horse drawn trolley!

Authentic Danish Pastry

 
The Wine & Beer Walk ticket was valid for both Saturday and Sunday. Stops for sips included Cali Love, Casa Cassara, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, CrossHatch, Lion’s Peak, Lucas & Lewellen, Lucky Dog, Royal Oaks, Roxo Port Cellars, Sevtap, Solvang Brewing Company, The Olive House, Toccata, Valley Brewers/The Back Room and Wandering Dog Wine Bar.

Taste of Solvang Wine Glass

The entire list of blissful bite donors included the Landsby Hotel, where Josiah Avery was offering warm pita with Romesco Sauce and marinated Castlevetrano olives, Olive Press, Viking Garden Restaurant, Solvang Bakery, PHO 805, Danish Mill Bakery, Cafe Dolce, Petros Kave, Fresco Valey Cafe, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Solvang Restaurant, Old Danish Fudge Kitchen, Tower Pizza, Ableskiver Cafe, Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Red Viking, Solvang Coffee Company, Chomp, Solvang Inn & Cottages, Olsen’s Danish Bakery. Solvang Brewing Company, The Little Mermaid Restaurant, Mortensen’s Bakery, Swedish Candy Factory, and more. I loved meeting Chef Harold at Humming Bird Caribbean Cafe, the jerk chicken was a unique change, and the bruchetta at Fresco Valley Cafe was quite tasty as well.

Solvang Trolley Tour

 
The Taste of Solvang is presented each year by the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau since 1993 with sponsorship support this year from Visit Santa Ynez Valley and City of Solvang. For more information about lodging, dining and attractions year-round in Solvang visit www.SolvangUSA.com

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By Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News, and does travel, food and lifestyle reporting on local radio/TV, she also contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications, and is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.