Road Trip to Solvang Day 2

Saturday, May 16, 2015

The tour vehicle picked us up at 10:00 to head towards Clos Pepe Vineyards,  www.clospepe.com      Did the vineyard tour and had the tasting at the big house.  There was 9 in our group and 8 in another, We were seated in the main dining room Tasted the line up of wines. I have done this several times but it was a new experience to the others. Second stop was Stolpman Vineyards in Ballard Canyon,   www.stolpmanvineyards.com.  Had lunch outdoors overlooking the expanse of lawn and out onto the vineyards. Last stop was Grassini in Happy Canyon, www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com,  That was a new one for me. Our tour company was Stagecoach Tours,  www.WineToursSantaYnez.com,   and they did and excellent job. In spite of running late at Clos Pepe and Stolpman we still finished on time in the afternoon. First time for me to go on a "tour". I usually do my own thing.

Dinner tonight is in Solvang at the Succulent Cafe.  www.succulentcafe.com, Getting there we were told we would be seated outside. No Way. It was cold and windy. After Margie arrived she got the reservation straightened out and after about 15 minutes seated outside we were given a table inside. Everyone brought their leftover wines from Friday nights dinner. Only 2 new wines opened A 2006 Hartford, Russian River Zinfandel from the Blackburns and a 2013 Tensely, Lea, from the Cookes.  Several of us ordered the soup which was a Potato Corn. Good flavor but luke warm. Should have been hot.  I had the Braised Short Rib with Smoked Grits, seasonal greens and crispy cajun onions. Good flavor, meat was tender.

Several people order the Three Little Pigs.  Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with a Pork Gravy, hence the "3", with greens and potato cakes. Another dish was the Crispy Seared Duck Breast, Buttemilk Mash, Carmelized Onions, greens and stone fruit gastrique. Everyone seemed happy the their dishes. One person ordered a salad and had to send it back several time. So pros and cons with this restaurant. They have had a really good reputation but I did find out there has been some ownership / partner changes. Only time will tell if they keep on a good track or succumb to whatever.