Solvang, California

31 Dec 2006 In: Bits and Pieces: Life, Location: USA, LOCATION: WORLD

Note: This post is not related to Malaysian food. Writings on Malaysian food will resume when I am back from my vacation.

If you want to get a tourist disorientated when he visits the U.S., introduce him to Solvang. Sol-what?

A two-hour drive from LA led us to the quaint town of Solvang located in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara county.

Be prepared to be greeted by the sight of windmills, yes, windmills, upon arriving at Solvang.

Solvang is a small town consisting of a cluster of delightful shops offering antiques, european handicrafts, bakeries and restaurants, and of course, windmills.

When in Solvang, try one of their delicacies – aebleskiver. Aebleskivers are Danish “pancakes” but instead of the flat pancakes we are all used to, the aebleskiver is round. It is usually eaten with raspberry jam and powdered sugar drizzled on top. We went to The Solvang Restaurant for several servings of aebleskiver, and a note of warning, there is a lunchtime queue, so go early!

The Solvang Restaurant

1672 Copenhagen Dr.Solvang, CA, 93463
Phone: (805) 688-4645 – Or – (800)-654-0541

Note: This post is not related to Malaysian food. Writings on Malaysian food will resume when I am back from my vacation.

I’ve always enjoyed spending Christmas in Los Angeles with family. Christmas eve is spent reverently at church, and on Christmas day, we tear open the pile of gifts lying beneath the Christmas tree. Once we are done with the unwrapping, we end up with two big bags – one with all our gifts, and the other, our contribution to paper recycling.


This year was no different. The family knows that I have an unnatural obsession with snowmen, so I got my usual dosage of snowman gifts. I also received a bunch of iPod accessories for which I’m very thankful!


Christmas lunch consisted of a Malaysian spread of mutton mysore and other accompaniments. There were some non-Malaysians among us, so the Malaysian meal was a treat for them. For me, the meal was certainly comfort food! I admit, I do have a weakness for Malaysian food. The aroma of spices, the waft of belacan and other olfactory imagery get me excited.


There were, of course, the requisite Christmas cookies baked lovingly by Dennis. 🙂


A blessed Christmas to one and all.

Note: This post is not related to Malaysian food. Writings on Malaysian food will resume when I am back from my vacation.

Even when I’m away from home, it’s hard not to get excited about the food I’ve enjoyed abroad. We were introduced to this great restaurant located in SoNo (South Norwalk), Connecticut. We had arrived at close to 9.00pm on a weeknight and the restaurant and bar were packed.

Having eaten all kinds of burgers and hotdogs, we were in the mood for something different. The affable waiter offered us a menu consisting of two pages of a variety of tapas. We were spoilt for choice, but eventually ended up deciding on:

Gambas al Ajilio – sauteed shrimp with garlic and sherry

Chicken chorizo

Ceviche – shrimp, red snapper,calamari, cilantro, peppers, lime juice and tomato

Grilled hangar steak

Albondigas – meatballs in tomato sauce

Porcini – crusted chicken

*Note: My apologies for the photographs! The place had a nice atmosphere, lit by candlelight and fairy lights, and I didn’t want to spoil it with my camera flash. Imagination is a wonderful tool, and I encourage you to use it right now. 🙂

Everything was downed with white wine sangria, the perfect complement to our tapas meal!

The meal was delicious and the company was excellent. Dinner came up to US$100 (with tips) for three.Barcelona Wine Bar
22 Elizabeth Street
SoNo, CT 06854
Ph: 203-9138844
F: 203-2991417

About this blog

Food, for me, is a means to an end and not an end in itself.

Food, for me, represents the love of family, the fellowship of friends, and the community and communality it brings.