Our Amtrak-Solvang adventure was timed so we could take part in the Wednesday Solvang Farmers Market, a weekly year round event that takes place on First Street between Copenhagen and Mission Drive.  New to the Market was a farm to table event entitled "Taste of Solvang'" that featured dishes prepared by Owner Chef David  Cecchini of Cecco Ristorante and Mathew Raab of Fresco Valley Cafe.  We had the opportunity to meet and chat with David Cecchini, who, before opening Cecchini in Solvang, had a long successful career as a restaurateur chef in the San Fernando Valley with a restaurant named Gino's.
 We had bowls of Pasta e Fagioli, a hearty seasonal stew by Chef Cecchini as well as the Buischetta , made with  small diced fresh picked tomatoes  heaped over oven warm country bread by Fresco Valley Cafe.  Beverage was Citrus Sparkler from Buckhorn Canyon Ranch.
 Then it was a tour and tasting of Ingeborg's Danish Chocolate Shop located on Copenhagen Drive.  In one person's "Lesson of Life"  an adage reads ":When it comes to chocolate, surrender and enjoy".  Which is exactly what we did as Owner  Kim Jensen led us first through the store crammed with all manner of tempting goodies and then to the back where the making of such tempting chocolates are actually created.  The result is that the fame of Ingeborg's chocolates has a world wide reputation and  a huge to order on line business.  Currently at the time of our visit the orders were piling up for chocolate bunnies for Easter.  An so it goes for holidays throughout the year.
 Proprietor Jensen kept offering us samples of these delights and somehow we could not refuse any of them, a matter of courtesy of course, o.k. we like chocolate too.
  Soon it was time for the Happy Hour at The Landsby  Mad & Vin.  The Landsby Inn is new to Solvang and features a stunning contemporary Scandinavian decor and ambiance  in the bar and restaurant as well as  the fifty rooms of the Inn.  We were greeted by General Manager Barry Prescott and before settling in the bar and lounge he personally gave us a tour of suites and rooms at the Inn.  We found Barry to be most interesting as his personal career in the hospitality industry has been in three countries and among his many skills is the title of Master Sommelier.
 The Happy Hour featured some unique Shrub cocktails and a tempting selection of foods.  We indulged with the Duck Fat Fries, Calamari and Spicy Popcorn shrimp.  Others on the menu included Ceviche, Chips & Dips, Santa Ynez Beef Sliders and a Board of cured meats and cheeses.  The unique Shrub cocktails include a selection of specially prepared fruit and spice juices and we tasted some of these, my mango selection was very enticing.  We also met Mad & Vin Chef Beto Huiizen, who has 25 years experience in the kitchen and also develops the unique Shrub fruit flavors.
 The Landsby Inn, Bar and Restaurant is located at 15576 Mission Drive, Solvang, Telephone 805 588-3121.
 Solvang has 37 restaurants, all individually owned, and representing just about every ethnic cuisine, and some Danish as well.  The city just added its 24th tasting room which makes it easy to sample the vintages of many wineries without drives through the Santa Barbara countryside.  Sixteen of these are stores representing one winery.