EAT
EAT: Salt Creek Grille
Fact: It's nearly fall, friends, which means that it's time to transition your taste buds towards richer, fuller flavors. Always forward thinking, Salt Creek Grille has added new menu items that meet the bill, like the totally-delish Shrimp and Scallop Linguine. Bursting with plenty of sauteed shrimp, scallops, artichoke hearts, shiitake mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, spinach and red pepper flakes, this bowl of yum is served over a linguine dressed with a smooth white-wine sauce.

Salt Creek also gave fish-lovers the seasonal nod with their fresh Red Snapper Filet, marinated overnight, pan seared and then finished with a Veracruz salsa and served with a fluffy rice pilaf and just-picked asparagus. And meat connoisseurs will want to try SCG's all-new handcut tri-tip, marinated for a full day, then grilled on an open mesquite flame and topped with farm-fresh roasted-corn salsa and served with roasted potatoes and veggies.

Pair your plate with the Moscow Mule, made with Grey Goose vodka, ginger beer and just-squeezed limes in a traditional tin cup. Order this fave selection off their Grandpa's Medicine Cabinet drink list on Thursday's Grey Goose night and take half off. 222-9999

EAT: Sabor Cocina Mexicana
Our foodie philosophy: during the heat of summer, eat as many fish tacos as humanly possible. Sabor Cocina Mexicana makes our goal not only obtainable, but worthy of applause with three plates that keep us coming back for more.

Up first are the Tacos de Camarones, stuffed to the hilt with wild Pacific shrimp in achiote, topped with crunchy cabbage and a popping jalapeno crema. Also a must: the Tacos de Callo de Hacha. These seared-sea-scallop treats are wrapped up with lettuce and a bright corn crema. Not sure what to order? Let the chef do the picking for you with the Tacos de Pescado. These feature the fresh fish of the day, along with cabbage and salsa tropical. 259-9002

Courtesy of Shutterstock

EAT: Vines
We're going to be honest: When we first heard that there was a new prime rib buffet in town, we had flashbacks of 4:30pm dinners out with Grandma and Grandpa. The memories were... stale. Then we found out that this prime rib buffet was hosted by Vines, one of the best restaurants in town. After we recovered from the inner conflict, we hightailed it over to Vines the next Friday night.

And it was awesome. Like, "Oh my gosh call everyone you've ever met and tell them to come here now" awesome. Like, "Did you try the shrimp? It's awesome! Did you try the soup? Awesome! Did you get some of the veggies and crafted salads? Awesome, right?" awesome. Like, "What the what? You're handing me a free glass of Michael Mondavi Canvas wine to enjoy with my dinner?
I. Love. You!," awesome. The most awesome, of course, was the tender, juicy slow-roasted prime rib, carved just for us. Vines, you're awesome! 678-4044

EAT: Persia Hookah Lounge
Persia Hookah Lounge in Newhall is where all the cool kids are going. Why? Because the delicious, flavorful fare is as healthy as it is tasty. Pair your next great meal with the restaurant's relaxed-yet-luxe vibe for a dining experience that's good for body and soul.

Feed your brain with Persia Lounge's Salmon Salad featuring a fresh-caught salmon filet, hand-chopped greens, tomato, cucumber and carrots; boost your antioxidant consumption with the Zereshk Polo with Chicken, a boneless chicken kabob served with the sweet-sour barberry and saffron-steamed basmati rice; treat your heart with Fesenjan, chunks of chicken filet cooked in pomegranate paste and crushed walnuts served with saffron steamed basmati rice; and bump your quota of filling fiber with the Vegetable Kabob, a skewer of grilled vegetables like zucchini, Italian eggplant, bell pepper, onions and tomatoes served with lima bean and dill rice.

Even the kids can enjoy a healthy meal here. The Kids Shish Kabob includes chunks of marinated beef tenderloins charbroiled over an open fire and served with grilled onion, bell pepper, tomato and saffron steamed basmati rice. 259-4100

EAT: Marston's Restaurant
Ever notice that a lot of restaurants have "specials," but they aren't very special? Marston's Restaurant in the Bridgeport Marketplace has invested significant time and energy into cultivating a list of daily specials that epitomize the word. Special cuts of meat, surprising flavors and distinctive combinations can be had all week long. Best of all, you get to decide what day is most special to you! 253-9910



DRINK
DRINK: The Oaks Grille
What's one of the best ways to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon? Visit TPC Valencia on September 21 for their annual Tequila tasting at The Oaks Grille from 3pm to 6pm. The Oaks Grille will feature Patron Tequila Cocktails paired with hors d'oeuvres from Chef Otto's award-winning kitchen. For $35 per person, we can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon! Reservations recommended; call Restaurant Manager Beau Carter at 288-1995, extension 104, to make yours!

If you can't make it for the tequila tasting, join Oaks for a relaxing lunch or dinner. You'll want to try Chef Daniel Otto's most popular dish of the season: his Pan Seared Chilean Seabass. This can't-miss seafood dish is delicately seared and served over sauteed purple forbidden rice and edemame, then topped with an ultra-fresh papaya chutney and mango coulis. Chef Otto's Chilean Seabass pairs perfectly with their member favorite Chardonnay by Flowers Vineyard.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

PLAY
PLAY: Wolf Creek restaurant & Brewing Co.
Perhaps the most anticipated element of the fall season involves blood, sweat and tears... and if it's that bad for the fans, imagine how hard it must be on the football players!

Reduce the pain, no matter if your team wins or loses, by sharing in the communal excitement during Happy Hour at Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Co. Starting Thursday, September 4, Wolf Creek is kicking off NFL Football with a bang. In addition to their great Happy Hour ($1.50 off all draft beer and wine by the glass and 25 percent off all appetizers!), they are adding exciting promos. Think you know who's going to win? If you guess the right team before the game starts, you score a 5-cent beer after the clock runs out. On Sundays, sport your team jersey and get free chips and salsa along with your happy libations. And, to top it off, they'll be raffling a Super Bowl party in their banquet room for 20 of your closest friends, including food and drinks. You can enter to win each time you drop in to watch the game. The winner will be drawn during half time of the last play-off game. 263-9653

PLAY: Santa Clarita Ballet Company
Santa Clarita Ballet Company Presents "Beauty and the Beast"
Ballet performances can be snooty. And boring. And prohibitively expensive.

Lucky for you, the Santa Clarita Ballet Company's upcoming performance is a "none of the above." Hosted at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, "Beauty and the Beast" combines exquisite costumes and talented performers with a moving score and storyline. Audiences of all ages will be enthralled!

Performances sell out quickly and will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30pm and Sunday, September 14 at 2pm. For your convenience, a seating chart is available online at www.santaclaritaballet.net. Purchase tickets by phone by calling the Ballet Company.
251-0366

Approachable Sophistication
2015 Acura MDX:
The 2015 Acura MDX is refinement - refined. The luxury crossover is pleasing to passenger and driver alike, with sumptuous leather, perfectly-placed controls and screens and tri-zone climate control with an available GPS link to follow the sun. Spring for the
always-at-your-finger-tips concierge service and don't worry about keeping kids (And adults!) occupied during long road trips (Also known as Los Angeles traffic.). Rear seat passengers - even the tall ones! - can stretch out to watch a movie (Or two!). Take one for a test drive at Valencia Acura. 255-3000