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This interesting bit of wine country news just crossed the EaterWire: Bradley Ogden is partnering with the Chumash Indians to open a restaurant at the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang. The Chumash bought the 133-room hotel last April and plan to renovate the entire property, including the Meadows Restaurant. That's where Ogden comes in: "What we create will be contemporary, airy, warm, exciting and inviting with a culinary flair that includes quality, fresh ingredients." Odgen, of course, is known for seasonal, contemporary American cooking at his myriad restaurants including the Lark Creek Inn and his eponymous spot at Caesars in Vegas (if he can handle Vegas, Sideways country should be a breeze.) Even if he's just the consulting chef, this will make Solvang way more palatable. One can not live on Danish sausage and aebleskivers alone.
· Celebrated Las Vegas chef to open restaurant with Chumash in Santa Ynez [SLO]
· EaterWire: Ogden Partners With Chumash Indians [Eater SF]

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We're all for finding new restaurants in Central Coast wine country, but even S. Irene Virbila surprises us with this random pick. She heads way north---Santa Margarita, a few miles north of San Luis Obispo---to try The Range, a good country restaurant with cowboy sensibilities. Nothing revolutionary, just good:

On a weeknight, the place is half full, yet the chef and owner, Jeff Jackson, isn't cutting back. The waitress recites the four specials that night with real appreciation in her voice. She knows they're good. But I've already spotted crawfish cakes on the menu. Steak with red-eye gravy? For sure. A homey tomato bisque, wild arugula salad and seafood risotto. Sounds good. It all sounds good.

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