EAT
Some folks have an "everything's better with bacon" philosophy, and we tend to agree - except in the case of bacon-flavored baby formula (no joke). We're adamant that our favorite salty strips of meat should never be wasted on infants and should be put to better use, like in the incredible Carne Tamiquena dish at El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant (in Canyon Country 252-5599) and Presidente Mexican Grill (in Saugus 297-7244). It features New York steak butterflied and stuffed with mild sauteed peppers, tomatoes, ham and Mexican spices - wrapped in bacon - then broiled to perfection.

Few things are more delicious than victory, and that's just what you'll taste when you bite into one of Bake You Happy's cupcakes. The local bakery, which recently relocated to the Barnes & Noble Shopping Center at the corner of Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway, won the grand prize (and serious bragging rights) on Food Network's "Cupcake Wars"; 255-5100

Some people would say that Santa Clarita was "put on the map" in 1842, when gold was discovered in Placerita Canyon. Those people would be wrong. We argue that Santa Clarita only recently became map worthy, coordinating, of course, with the opening of a California Pizza Kitchen on Newhall Ranch Road at McBean Parkway. (Yes, to us, the advent of delicious hearth-baked pizzas trump gold deposit discoveries in a contest of historical importance.) Ditch the Thomas Guide and GPS your way to CPK's California Club Pizza, Chicken-Tequila Fettuccine, BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Tortilla Spring Rolls and Key Lime Pie, or take your goodies to go (Combo meals! Individual lunch boxes! Catering and custom menus!). No matter what you order, you'll find out why they were recently named the number-one most recommended casual dining chain restaurant and took top prize for "Best Kids Menu in America"; 259-2082

In our humble opinion, you aren't a Santa Claritian unless you make a regular pilgrimage to Final Score in Newhall (in the Lyons Plaza). Our sandwich is the "Joe's Philly," or - as we call it - heaven on a bun. It's 6.5 ounces of all-prime filet mignon sauteed in olive oil with bell pepper, red onions and topped with provolone or cheddar cheese. Final Score cooks their choice roast beef and hormone-free turkey fresh every day, and Joe even uses his grandma's recipe for the restaurant's homemade Italian sauce and meatballs (a favorite at catered parties). This is the real deal, SCV; 254-6557

New Moon's Luncheon Specials, at under $10 each, were already an afternoon favorite. Now, with the addition of weekly seafood choices starting in March, we're expecting a stampede. Find out the specials before the general public by following New Moon on Twitter and fanning them on Facebook to get news about daily food and drink specials; 257-4321

We're not exactly ready to give up on hearty winter dishes but Santa Clarita's early summers mean that swimsuit season is closer than we'd like to admit. Like any addict, we know that going cold (and mayo-less!) turkey will backfire. That's why we're easing into lighter fare with Hacienda Don Cuco's Grilled Steak Salad - a super-fresh mix of lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber, queso fresco and green chile topped with succulent carne al carbon; 252-8074

We'll See You There!
Saturday > March 26 and Sunday > March 27
Santa Clarita Street Fair to Benefit SCV Emergency Winter Shelter
Are you looking for something fun and free to do on the weekend? Take in the sunshine at this once-per-month marketplace. The Santa Clarita Street Fair is a fun and festive stop for the entire family. (Or enjoy some time to yourself!) Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., this free-admission event is held at College of the Canyons' parking lot 8 (adjacent to the football stadium) at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road. Local vendors are onsite to offer arts, crafts, handmade items and new goodies. Browse, shop and have lunch - food vendors are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Spots are available for new vendors, too. A generous 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to the SCV Emergency Winter Shelter;
www.santaclaritastreetfair.com

DRINK
There's a whole lot more sipping going on now that Salt Creek Grille has added freshly-muddled drinks to their extensive cocktail list. We're transported to a Southern summer porch each time we imbibe the muddled Berry-Luscious beverage, which features blackberries, strawberries and sugar, muddled with premium vodka and Peachtree, served over ice and topped with apple juice. Combine it with a good conversation and a seat on Salt Creek's patio for the ultimate happy hour; 222-9999

Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. has introduced their new Happy Hour and judging by the grins of Oggi's fans city wide, they've nailed it. Now held twice a day (from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Happy Hour features Oggi's brand beer at only $4 a glass, plus 22-ounce Pilsners at $4.50. Make Happy Hour really great by reserving their private party room (seats 20 to 25) and treating friends and family to the best combination of beer, fabulous food and sports around; 252-7883

PLAY
Sake Bistro & Lounge, where have you been all our lives? We've been desperate for a cool new spot to hang out with friends, and, up until now, our choices were either to go to Los Angeles or stay home. Just walking through the door, the decor is so amazing! We forgot we were still in Valencia. We are in love with your incredible everything-made-from-scratch bistro menu with steaks, seafood and so many completely original dishes (Kudos on having SCV's only all-Cordon Bleu Chef staff!). And wow - the sushi really knocks our socks off. We grew up in the SCV and are so used to being told that nothing here is as good as LA, so it's mindblowing to think that the stunning fusion-style sushi placed in front of us was prepared by the head chefs from Ritz Carlton LA Live and Gordon Ramsey's London Hotel... There are no words. (Well, except "Thank you.") We'd offer to pour you a drink as a display of our gratitude, but since your Classic's Drinks bar features an all-premium well and classic cocktails poured "old school" (a minimum of one and three-quarter shots), you probably can do that better yourself. We'll see you on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m. for your live music sets. Thanks again for playing the hits we love from the '70s, '80s, '90s and now - plus R&B, Funk and Motown selections!; 255-SAKE (7253)

As the weather warms, a new type of "Shower Season" is upon us, and this kind doesn't involve rain drops. Spring is the high season for bridal and baby showers. Why not host yours at The Social, where you can have the entire restaurant to yourself on the Monday of your choice? Order a few appetizers like the Anti Pasta Platters, Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Caribbean Chicken Satay Brochettes and let the party begin!; 799-9155

The first Inside SCV Magazine baby (the adorable William, now 4) has a serious infatuation with Wolf Creek's Chicken Taquitos, and it makes sense. Sure, the taquitos are great (stuffed with yummy mashed potatoes and served with avocado cream!), but we think it has more to do with the fact that his baby shower was held in Wolf Creek's private dining room. Even unborn babies can't resist the combination of excellent food, affordable prices (the Luncheon menu is only $12.50 per person!) and a dedicated wait staff;
263-9653