Great Mexican Food in the SCV

Looking for some authentic Mexican food in the SCV? Well, Margaritas Mexican Grill is the right place to try! They have great food, delicious food and a very intimate setting for an ideal dinner.

Final Score: Where Every Overstuffed Sandwich is “Practically Open-Faced”

You can usually assume that restaurant owner who's on a first-name basis with his clients is a pretty friendly fellow, and that assumption would be correct in the case of Final Score's Joe. Many Yelp reviewers refer to him by name, citing him as one of the main selling points at this popular sandwich shop. Of course, his friendly face and helpful attitude still pale in comparison to the sandwiches themselves.

Sink your teeth into a sub stuffed with fresh roast beef and colorful bell peppers, or try the classic turkey sandwich with a bag of potato chips and a drink. No matter what you order, as one reviewer puts it, the sandwich will be "practically open-faced" due to the slew of fresh ingredients packed inside of each and every creation that comes from behind the counter.

Final Score
23754 Lyons Avenue
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 254-6557
www.facebook.com/Final-Score-140557992636572
www.yelp.com/biz/final-score-newhall

How to Play Host or Hostess — Without the Stress!

Whether you're throwing a dinner party, planning a birthday bash, or having family over for the holidays, these simple tips will teach you how to play host or hostess without the unnecessary stress.

  • Start early. At least a few weeks ahead of time, start to think about the major details: the number of guests, the menu, and anything that you may need to rent. This will start to ease you into party planning mode and avoid any last-minute surprises.
  • Prepare ahead of time. Make as much of the food ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it so that you don’t spend the entire day in the kitchen. This way, you’ll just have to reheat and add the finishing touches.
  • Create enough seating. Even if you don’t have a large dining room table to fit all of your guests, you still want to make sure that everyone has a place to sit. Borrow chairs from a neighbor or invest in floor cushions for a more casual affair.
  • Set the mood. Play fun music, clear out any unnecessary furniture to create more space for socializing, and plan a few games in case of any awkward lulls in conversation. These are tried-and-true tricks that will prevent your party from hitting a slump.

Dos and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Mag]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
101 Party Dos & Don'ts [House Beautiful]
Entertaining [My Home Ideas]

Valencia Laser Blast: For the Young and Young-at-Heart

The stakes are even higher in an amped-up round of Capture the Flag at Valencia Laser Blast. For one thing, you don't actually have to be physically caught by someone to get tagged out—they just need to point and shoot a laser at your vest. If the shot hits, you can't score any points for your mission for a few minutes. And those few minutes could make all the difference.

That's time you could be spending trying to breach the dividing line inside of Valencia Laser Blast's twisty-turny laser tag arena, complete with winding ramps and secret sniper spots. If you're quick enough, you might be able to zip past the opposing team (and tag out some competitors in the process). Once you're on the other side, aim a shot at your rivals' home base to win the game for your team. After the game, you can cool down with a visit to the arcade at Valencia Laser Blast.

Valencia Laser Blast
23460 Cinema Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-1600
valencialaserblast.com
www.yelp.com/biz/valencia-laser-blast-santa-clarita

Hop the Brew Hop Bus for a Craft Beer Tasting Adventure

Phantom Ales. Barley Forge Brewing. Beach City Brewery. These are just three of the local brewhouses on the itinerary when you board Brew Hop Bus. The repurposed school bus certainly promises more entertainment than it did in its former life. Tour guide Joe makes sure of that.

He captains tasting trips to the area's best breweries, leading day-long (and night-long) adventures all around Valencia, Anaheim, and beyond. Take the standard craft beer-tasting tour if you're just interested in sipping on some stellar local brews, or opt for the Airsoft and Craft Beer Tasting Experience if you have a big group of buddies coming along for the ride. In addition to tastings at three breweries, you also get to play in a 30,000-square-foot airsoft field with your friends. There's also Sunday Funday, which embarks at noon instead of 6 p.m. for a much earlier bedtime.

Brew Hop Bus
1211 N. Las Brisas Street
Anaheim, CA 92806
(949) 491-3021
www.zerve.com/brewhopbus
www.yelp.com/biz/brew-hop-bus-anaheim

Don’t Miss the Chinese Chicken Salad at New Moon Restaurant

The earliest version of New Moon Restaurant's chicken salad was whipped up more than 45 years ago by a member of Colin Tom's family. Little did the original chef know that Colin would one day open his own eatery and feature a revamped rendition of the family's chicken salad. But that's just what he did, and the Chinese-style chicken salad is just the tip of the iceberg.

It showcases slow-roasted chicken mixed with nuts and other crunchy extras, smothered in an internationally inspired dressing. But you can also opt for Chinese seafood at New Moon, like the shrimp with candied walnuts or the Cantonese steamed fish. Traditional dishes such as Peking duck, Mongolian beef, and Kung Pao chicken round out the menu at New Moon. The fresh ingredients and expansive menu make the eatery a popular spot to order takeout for many Valencia locals.

New Moon Restaurant
28281 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 257-4321
newmoonrestaurants.com
www.yelp.com/biz/new-moon-restaurant-valencia-2

Watching Your Weight? Don’t Make These Dieting Mistakes!

You might think that you’re on a fairly healthy diet that will eventually lead to your goal weight, but some of your eating habits might actually do more harm than good when it comes to weight loss. Check out these common dieting mistakes to make sure that they’re not a part of your daily routine

  • Eating too fast. By rushing through every meal, you don’t give your body enough time to actually feel full. If you eat slower, you’re more likely to stop eating when you’ve actually had enough.
  • Forgoing meals. Instead of making you lose weight faster, skipping meals actually leads to consuming more calories later in the day. Even if you’re not feeling hungry at meal time, try eating a small snack to keep your appetite regulated.
  • Consuming liquid calories. Many dieters don’t realize just how many calories there are in many common beverages. Drinks like wine, beer, coffee, and even juices can add hundreds of unnecessary calories throughout the day.
  • Eating too-large portions. It’s always smart to measure the portion size of your food before eating it, as it is very difficult to judge the amount of calories simply by looking at a food. You can do this by using a food scale or carrying plastic containers in the recommended sizes.

Diet Mistakes: 6 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight [WebMD]
14 Diet Foods To Avoid [Prevention]
13 Healthy Foods to Avoid For Weight Loss! [Active Beat]
Jillian Michaels: Weight-Loss Tips That Work [Health]

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

Sip Craft Brews, Listen to Live Music at Wolf Creek Brewery

Wolf Creek Brewery might be located a bit off the beaten path, but once you track it down, you’ll be met with a wide variety of freshly brewed beers to sip and sample. Inside, the brewery is both rustic and modern, with an open brewing area where guests can learn how each beer is made before taking a swig. The pub portion of the building features a long bar, ample seating, and a variety of in-house beers on tap, while the equally comfortable dining room offers up dishes inspired by the cuisines of Mexico, Italy, and California.

For the best Wolf Creek Brewery experience, stop by during the weekend for dinner, drinks, and live music! Like Wolf Creek Brewery on Facebook to keep tabs on upcoming performances!

Wolf Creek Brewery
25108 Rye Canyon Loop
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 294-9977
www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com

Learn How Local Beers are Made at Wolf Creek Brewery

For beer lovers in Valencia, Wolf Creek Brewery is a must-see spot to watch how beers are made and then sample them for yourself. Whether you like to frequent breweries in every city or this is your first time visiting one, you’ll find it fascinating to see the brewing room, the large, shiny beer vats, and the impressive process that goes in to making Wolf Creek’s delicious beers.

Once you’re done taking a tour of the brewery itself, pull up a seat in the attached bar area to sample a flight of beers and play one of the provided board games with friends. There’s free popcorn that you can munch on while sipping, and on Friday evenings, you’ll even catch a set of live music from some of the area’s best local talent. Wolf Creek Brewery also boasts a spacious outdoor patio where you can kick back and relax on sunny afternoons.

Wolf Creek Brewery
25108 Rye Canyon Loop
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 294-9977
www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com