Named with a playful take on the road that courses through the heart of Solvang, Root 246 was a very pleasant surprise among the tourist kitsch of Danish-influenced Solvang, California.
The menu offered six vegan items and we had five of them. It was a pleasure to see what they offered and what they did do, they did really, really well. It appears that some of these items were seasonal. Their menu appears to be vary.
We started with a lightly dressed, simple salad of crisp lettuces and pickled radishes that was bright and delicious and just what I wanted. I wish I could make a salad like this. I must practice. We also had Brussels Sprouts that weren’t cloyingly sweet for a change, and were just the right touch of salty in a garlic tamari sauce. They were one of the best versions of Brussels Sprouts that I’ve had in some time.
Their house-made pickle assortment was also a full of tempting tastes.
For entrees they offered and expertly prepared burger, that I hadn’t realized at the time was an Impossible Burger, with pickled onions, lettuce and a vegan aioli. Delicious. The burger had a smoky seasoning that I really enjoyed. It was also a little thinner than you often get and it was really just enough flavor with out being this big gob of fake meat you’re trying to enjoy. Nicely done. It also came with the kind of perfectly crunchy fries that make you nod in agreement and acknowledgment that, yes, these were in fact fried more than once. Bravo.
The piece de resistance was a Summer Polenta that appears to have been a one-off. Served hot in a cast iron dish and brimming with earthy, herby flavor and layers of thinly cut zucchini, I absolutely adored this dish and don’t see why it’s not on the menu every night. All of the herbs were so flavorful, the sheets of zucchini perfectly cooked and the polenta was creamy yet firm. I’m still thinking about this one.
Root 246 is not a vegan restaurant and their menu appears to change on a regular basis. On the night of our visit there were several noted vegan options on the menu. At the time of this writing there are not as many, and no entrees. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to consult the menu before dropping in.