{ TOP 10 LOCAL EATS & DRINKS 2005-2015 Edition }

Being Inside SCV's resident foodie is hard-work! Every time I layout our Eat, Drink & Play section I drool over the possibilities! The last 10 years have been filled with deliciousness and we have delighted in sharing our favorites with you. This month, we've spotlighted the creme de la creme from the last decade... Enjoy!



We're all for new flavors, but these long-term faves have earned a permanent place on their respective menus - and in our hearts!

1. Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp
Bacon-wrapped anything is delicious, but the ginormous shrimp at Salt Creek Grille are dreamy. These are stuffed with horseradish, cooked in bacon and served with chipotle honey sauce for a gluten-free meal that's been our fave for years. 222-9999

2. Chocolate Ganache Souffle
The ultimate in delightful decadence... worth every extra minute it takes to cook! This Salt Creek specialty is made-to-order fresh and will satisfy even the most committed chocolate addict. We can't get enough of this souffle, which is finished with warm chocolate ganache. Order at the start of your meal; it takes 25 minutes to prepare. 222-9999

3. "The Works" French Toast
The fresh, strawberries and sweet pecans of Marston's signature breakfast dish add even more flavor to this crunchy favorite. This fantastic French toast features two thick slices of sourdough dipped in egg batter, rolled in corn flakes and finished with whipped cream. 253-9910


4. California Orange Salad
Mandarin oranges add a burst of flavor with protein rich chicken and avocado! Summer is the perfect time to find out why Marston's best-selling salad of mixed greens, chicken breast, mandarin oranges, avocado, raisins, green onions, blue cheese, apples, candied pecans and their special San Pasqual dressing is one of our "can't live withouts." 253-9910

5. Taos Eggrolls
We are obsessed with Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.'s tantalizing Taos Egg Rolls; they are the perfect beginning to your main course. Filled with spicy grilled chicken, red onions, corn, cilantro, cheese, avocado and roasted peppers, they're served with spicy avocado cream sauce and chipotle ketchup. 263-9653

6. Meagan's Cakes
It's near impossible for us to "only" order food when we go to Wolf Creek. We always save room for dessert because Pastry Chef Meagan makes the most incredible cakes finished with hand-whipped cream and fresh fruit. This month, treat yourself to a meal at Wolf Creek and they'll treat you to a 10-cent
pint of one of their brews as a way of celebrating our big anniversary! All you have to do is take the ad on page 69 to the restaurant and you'll land one pint per person, for up to eight guests, for just a dime. 263-9653

7. Tacos de Jicama
We eat Sabor Cocina Mexicana's Jicama Tacos with Jidori chicken, lettuce, avocado, mango and charred-tomato cream sauce with zeal - because they're incredible. 259-9002

8. Sabor Cocina Mexicana's Seasonal Margaritas
Throughout the year, there are too many Sabor seasonal margarita options to name because they're all made with just-picked fresh fruits, herbs and veggies. No matter which we choose, though, we can be confident that they'll be amazing and made with premium tequila that's aged in oak barrels and double and triple distilled. 259-9002

9. Lemon Burst Cupcakes and More!
Every cupcake at Lady Di's Cookies & Sweets is divine, but we InsideSCVers have our favorites. Amandalynn loves Lemon Burst so much that she served it at her wedding (Our wonderful cupcake-motivated photographer, Mel, agrees with this selection!); Jeanna's go-to is the PB Banana Cream; Kyle and Ethel treat themselves to Cookies and Cream and Therese pines over the Chocolate Salted Caramel. 222-9102

10. The Prime Rib Buffet
Friday Night is Prime Rib Buffet night at Vines Restaurant & Bar and we couldn't think of a better way to start the weekend. Handcarved prime rib, crafted salads, shrimp, soup, dessert and a complimentary glass of Michael Mondavi Canvas Wine makes the $29.50 adult price an absolute steal (Bring the kids for $14.75 for children 15 and under.). Of course, we like to pretend that it's always the weekend at Vines, and they make it easy with Happy Hour daily from 4pm to 7pm. 678-4044





{ "SUMMER FUN" LIST}
by Tara Evans
1. Circus Vargas Presents "Arlequin" Going on Now!
Circus Vargas, America's favorite traveling Big Top circus continues to thrill and enchant children of all ages with their new 2015 edition, Arlequin! Steeped in tradition and devoted to all things magnificent and happy, Circus Vargas presents an array of unparalleled artists and performers dedicated to captivate and astound you. This is an amazing experience where new memories are created and treasured for generations to come. A world of wonder and awe await you under the big top at Circus Vargas!

Don't miss the free Interactive Pre-Show where you can meet and mingle with the cast of Arlequin. Arrive 30 minutes early for an exciting, interactive pre-show where children of all ages can create their own magic under the big top. Use the coupon on page 10 to save up to $40. www.circusvargas.com

2. Sign Up Now for Valencia Laser Blast's Laser Tag Tournie
Thursday, August 6 & Friday, August 7
You won't want to miss the fun and excitement of Valencia Laser Blast's first-ever Laser Tag Team Tournament! All teams will be comprised of five players and will play Team Elimination without Bases and the Basic Team Game. The number of games, round robin brackets and times will be determined by the number of participants, so RSVP early. Choose from three age divisions or the all-inclusive Family Division. The $25 per person entry fee will go towards cash prizes for first, second and third place in all divisions. If you need help forming a team, let them know - because you don't want to miss this. It will be a blast! 255-1600


3. Jazz & Blues Concert Series Announces 2015 Line Up
Friday, June 19 will be opening night as the sounds of live Jazz and Blues bands once again fill Town Center Drive in Valencia. This will be the 16th year that the Valencia Jazz & Blues will feature regional, national and international entertainers in a family-friendly, quaint street party setting with activities for adults and children.

This year's series will run for eight weeks through August 7, with each event going from 7pm to 9:30pm. The memorable night will take place on Town Center Drive at McBean Parkway, in the street outside the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

Some of the Series Sponsors making it possible to bring the much-anticipated concert series back to Valencia include Hyatt Regency Valencia, Chiquita Canyon Landfill and The City of Santa Clarita, among others.

In addition to the extraordinary sounds offered from some of the top Jazz and Blues recording artists in the world, the scheduled series will bring a variety of activities for the entire family as well as a variety of food and beverages, including wine and beer for the adults. No pets or outside food or beverages are allowed. Admission is free. The Valencia Jazz & Blues Concert Series is produced by Summit West Public Relations & Marketing. Log on for more information regarding the series or sponsorship opportunities.
www.valenciajazzandblues.com.

The Exciting Schedule of Artists
June 19 Tom Nolan Band
June 26 Lori Andrews JazHarp Quartet
July 3 Kelly's Lot
July 10 Jim Gibson
July 17 Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps
July 24 Tony Galla Band
July 31 Dona Oxford
August 7 Delgado Brothers


4. Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone is all about keeping it fresh, with exciting new ice cream flavors, mix-ins and cakes to keep people guessing and coming back for more. But, there are definitely a handful of items that will always remain on the "can't live without" list! A few of their classic Signature Creations will always be customer favorites, like Founders Favorite, the Creation that started it all (Sweet Cream ice cream with brownies, pecans, caramel and fudge!), Coffee Lovers Only (Coffee ice cream with Heath Bar, roasted almonds and caramel!) and Peanut Butter Cup Perfection (Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter, Resse's Peanut Butter Cups and fudge!), just to name a few. In the spirit of keeping things new, fresh and exciting, this summer will definitely not disappoint. Cold Stone is "Mixing It Up" with the launch of four new mix-ins for customers to combine with their freshly-made ice cream. They can't wait for their customers to try Salted Butterscotch, Nestle Drumstick Pieces, Chocolate Covered Sea Salted Pretzels and Snickerdoodle Cookie Pieces (Featured in their new Snickerdoodle Shortcake flavor!). Of course, summer wouldn't be complete without an ice cold pick-me-up. You've gotta try the Cold Stone Frappes - delicious blended coffee drinks with Signature Cold Stone flavor. 253-4123









{ "HEALTHY HAPPENINGS" LIST}
1. CycleUp is also celebrating an anniversary right now! Get your sweat on to a Live DJ dropping the beat. They're bringing the party to the bike every Friday night at 5:30pm with a live DJ now through August 7. CycleUp clients have blasted out 18,000 rides in our first year, with an average 500 calories burned per ride - that is equivalent to 2,571 pounds! They introduced their Fall and Spring Weigh Downs with 160 riders losing 472 pounds and 217 inches in the last year, too. Their instructors continue to be the best in Santa Clarita and lives are changing at CycleUp. Don't miss the fun they have planned for their second year! 645-3060

2. The Paseo Club, launched in 2003, has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years. Membership is now over 1,500 families, where "pride in belonging" is evident every day. Managing Partner Kim Perino says, "our focus is building relationships and enriching lives through tennis and fitness programs," but it's the social events that really bring the membership together. Monthly member mixers, complete with live music, attract over 150 adults; family Friday Night Dive In Movies frequently have over 120 pool-side attendees; and Team Tennis competition fills all 15 courts every week. The Club's poolside Cafe is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner for member dining. Recent upgrades to the Paseo Club include a beautiful Pilates Studio; a new Cycle Room complete with avatar screens; a new Teen Center; and a tennis video system for recording lessons and match play. Be sure to stop by the Club and see what the excitement is all about! A limited number of memberships are still available, along with credits that offset the initiation fee, so that new members basically join for free. That offfer ends July 31. 257-0044

3. There's never been a better time to join Valencia Country Club! New members land a $15,000 signing bonus along with first-class amenities like the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Signature Course, PGA Tour designed practice facilities, a new fitness center, a fabulous Clubhouse with incredible views and so much more. Call Missy Skinner, membership director for more information on this promotion and business memberships, too. 799-1271

4. TPC Valencia is Proud to Announce Michael Castillo as PGA Head Professional
Michael Castillo has joined the TPC Valencia as the new PGA Head Golf Professional. He comes to the TPC Valencia from a long line of distinguished Clubs and brings impressive PGA achievements. Mr. Castillo attended the University of California Los Angeles and soon after began his PGA professional career.
Michael has worked at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, California and Mauna Kea Resort in Hawaii. He recently was the Director of Golf at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Hawaii as well as the Director of Golf at the Princeville Makai Golf Course which is located in Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii.
Michael also brings to the TPC Valencia a long list of PGA accomplishments. He is a recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award; an award given by the PGA of America in recognizing a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employments situations through service and community involvement. Michael received the Aloha PGA President's Plaque Award; and was a Sectional Qualifier for the U.S. Open Golf Championship. Along with these honors, Michael also won the PGA Professional of the Year Award, PGA Merchandiser Award and the PGA Junior Golf Leader Award. "We are pleased to welcome Michael to the TPC Valencia family. We are confident that his proven expertise and extensive knowledge will be an asset to enhancing our Member golf programs and offerings," says Mike van der Goes, general manager at the TPC Valencia. 288-1995




Wine Candles Help Save the Environment & Animals
Rescued Wine repurposed wine bottle candles and products are handmade in their studio in Truckee, California. The company aspires to repurpose wine bottles with new life and to give back to animal rescue groups with a portion of every sale. Each of the soy candles is inspired by wine and hand-poured to perfection.
Get yours at Ma Maison. 799-7983






Tara Evan's ability to write well about anything makes her one of the most versatile members of our team. "No" is not in her vocabulary and she's got dedication to spare. Who stays up until 2am to finish a piece on deadline? Tara does. We truly couldn't do this without her - and we wouldn't want to!