69569 Sun May 22 16:57:37 -0700 2005 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 379332 I'm taking out my new girlfriend for a birthday dinner in Valencia/Santa Clarita. Any suggestions? I'm lost. Sun May 22 16:57:37 -0700 2005 0 PJ 1 379333 Maru Sushi is just terrific, though it's not especially cheap. Sit in front of the tall older gentleman at the bar. He's the utterly charming owner. I'd suggest letting him make you what he thinks you'll like. I did that and it's one of the best meals I've ever had. (I had never expected Valencia to have a great sushi restaurant, but it really does.) Maru Sushi 24250 Town Center Dr. Valencia 661 290-2595 Sun May 22 17:44:31 -0700 2005 379332 0 Tom 2 379441 I agree with this - Maru Sushi is one of the best sushi meals I have ever had. Mon May 23 14:20:33 -0700 2005 379333 0 ErikaK 1 379337 Valencia itself is mostly chains, but here are my recommendations in the local area. If you are specifically interested in one, let me know and I can give you more details, I have menus for most of the area restaurants. The "fanciest" restaurant out here is the Vines at the Hyatt. I've never been but it is supposedly good. There is also a french restaurant in Saugus called Le Chene (http://www.lechene.com/), but I don't know about that either. Maybe someone can chime in on those. Wolf Creek in Valencia has good food, but its a brew pub type atmosphere. BBQ Club has good ribs, and has entertainment some nights, but is basically one open room with small tables. For Italian in Stevenson Ranch there is Spumoni, which I highly recommend. I eat there probably once a month and haven't been disappointed, I opted to go there for my birthday this year. Ilove their eggplant parm, and the gnocchi the most. This also has a nicer atmosphere then the choices below. Yamato's in Stevenson Ranch is good for the teppan style eating. Their steak and scallops are excellent and it makes for a fun night. They also have sushi, but I haven't tried it. If you want steak, chicken etc. There is Mulligan's on tournament, they have cozy booths and the food is good. Its a bar on one side, a restaurant on the other. Some nights it is very quiet and nice, although if there is a meeting in the room out back, it can get a little noisy. They have a good chicken artichoke dish. I'd stay away from Salt Creek Grill at the mall. Been there 3 times and had horrid experiences all three times, including ants crawling in the mashed potatoes, and the staff didn't really care. For Thai - Thai Pepper on San Fernando Rd in Newhall is good food for a good price, but not much on atmosphere. Sun May 22 18:43:55 -0700 2005 379332 0 LisaN 2 379361 Vines at the Hyatt Hotel is the best restaurant out there in the Valencia area. La Chene up Bouquet Canyon is good, so they say, but it is quite out of the way. Have eaten at Vines 3 times, had 3 good meals - not outstanding you understand - and the wine list is better than most others, and the room is pleasant. Fairly civil, especially as Valencia goes! Otherwise, have Aretha sing Chain, Chain, Chain, Chain of fools to describe the alternative dining experiences. Sun May 22 21:23:19 -0700 2005 379337 0 carter 2 381222 here is my two cents. Our favorite place is Sisley at the opening of the Town Center mall. Great food and atmosphere. Menu is varied with a lot of choice and not classic Italian although there are plenty of pasta dishes, there is something for everyone on their menu. Our next favorite is Salt Creek Grill which is also at the mall but next door to the movie theatre and bookstore. Wonderful food although on the pricey side. They have a jazz band in the bar that permeates the whole restaurant and we love it. Yamato in Stevenson Ranch has a floating sushi bar and cooking tables if you want hot food great steak and seafood. Those are the top three for us. Tue Jun 14 22:18:27 -0700 2005 379337 0 Cathy 1 379341 the hyatt out there is nice, great outside eating, good draft beer - salads + chicken dish is good - I like it. Sun May 22 19:04:36 -0700 2005 379332 0 Kurt 1 379417 I grew up in Santa Clarita and my family still lives there. I've eaten at Vines a couple of times and my own bridal shower was hosted there. It's average. Also, I don't think it's that great for a special occassion. Maybe it's me, but I'm just not that impressed. I do like La Chene, though, down Bouquet Canyon. And it's not that far out of the way-maybe 10-15 minutes down from Soledad Canyon/Valencia Boulevard. I like Wild Fire, too, but would not recommend it for a birthday. You order at the counter, and then the food is brought to you. My mom still enjoys Backwoods Inn, down Sierra Highway in Canyon Country. Haven't been there in a couple of years, but it's kind of a fun, old school place with steak and lobster. Mon May 23 12:21:59 -0700 2005 379332 0 Samantha 2 379483 I don't know if the Pasta Grill on Lyons is the place for this special occasion that you are planning. However, I would recomed others to check out the Pasta Grill. I really prefer it to the other Italian restaurants recomended such as Spumonis and Sicily's. It is owned by an Argentinian/ Italian and they make excellent pita bread style bread in their brick ovens that they serve with chimi churi sauce. I usually have their Salmon or a special of the day and have not been dissapointed. Their prices are also very reasonable for what you get. Mon May 23 16:38:34 -0700 2005 379417 0 madonna 3 379490 That place is no longer there, the building was bought by the owner of Final Score, he is expanding. The one time I went to Pasta Grill, the food was bad, as in spoiled. Mon May 23 17:21:56 -0700 2005 379483 0 LisaN 2 379541 La Chene is definitely a nice place - and like you said it is not too out of the way. Romantic and the ambience is great. The drive is nice, food is great. I also really like a Sushi place on Lyons in the shopping center west of The Old Road. Sorry, can't remember the name, but their sushi is great. I love their spicy salmon roll and they have a roll called Jappy Roll which we ordered just because we thought the name was a little odd for a Japanese restaurant and we fought over the pieces. So good and fresh! Mon May 23 20:06:35 -0700 2005 379417 0 WildSwede 3 2002200 I wonder it is Light and Healthy a great sushi place been there a long time. Tue Nov 07 02:52:47 -0800 2006 379541 51566 kathykat 2 379574 I also forgot about Bonsai Garden in Canyon Country. Yes, it's in a strip mall, but they do have great japanese food (tempura, yakitori, etc.). You can request a private room (make reservations), which would be romantic. They also have sushi, though I've never actually gone there for the sushi. Mon May 23 22:52:54 -0700 2005 379417 0 Samantha