Rattler’s BBQ: The Best Cue in Santa Clarita

Don’t let the name fool you—there are no venomous beasts at Rattler’s BBQ. For twenty years, this homestyle restaurant has been serving up the best barbecue and casual dining experience in Santa Clarita. Using a unique two-step cooking process that sees meats slow-cooked overnight and then seared over a mesquite grill, the kitchen knocks out spectacular meals all day long. If you’re a fan of tender, savory meat, the baby back ribs can’t be missed here—the delicate meat virtually falls off the bone and the house sauce complements it perfectly. For beef fans, the tri-tip is cooked to pure perfection, and the broiled chicken is good as well—among the moistest you’ve ever eaten. Sides are also good, with the garlic mashed potatoes winning special praise. For a few more dollars, you can opt for the well-stocked, fresh salad bar, which is probably a good way to balance out your carnivorous consumption.

Rattler’s BBQ
26495 Golden Valley Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 251-4195
www.rattlersbbq.com

The Poached Pair: A Relaxing Start to Your Day

Start the day right at the Poached Pair. Located just block away from the Metrolink station in nearby Newhall, the Poached Pair calls itself a “boutique bakery.” When you come in you’ll love the laid back atmosphere and the sweet smells. Come in the morning to get yourself one of the Poached Pair’s trademark scones with a  cup of coffee, sit back and relax in the dining area or at one of the patio seats. With the free WIFI, you can catch up on your email. Come back for lunch, when the Poached Pair has a specialty sandwich of the day, made on fresh baked bread made in-house. And of course you can always pick up a sweet treat to take home, be it cookies, scones, cupcakes or other favorites.

The Poached Pair
22722 Lyons Avenue, Suite 1
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 260-1696
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-poached-pair-newhall

Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que and Grill: Not Your Average BBQ

The Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que and Grill proves that a barbeque place can also be a nice spot to dine. Located across from the Vista Valencia Golf Course, the Wood Ranch is the perfect place for lunch or drinks with friends. Happy hour Monday through Friday is always a good time to meet up with people at the spacious bar, where there’s a good selection of draft and bottled beers, wines and crafted cocktails. There are quite a few screens to watch the game, and the bartenders are pretty nice, too! Stay for lunch or dinner and try the tasty garlic rolls, followed by award-winning barbeque and grilled platters, burgers and sandwiches that will please every diner. Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que and Grill is open every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que and Grill
25580 The Old Rd
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 222-9494
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wood-ranch-bar-b-que-and-grill-stevenson-ranch

Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ: Let’s Get Cooking

Barbecue lovers will rejoice in Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ. Lucille’s offers a classy and elegant interior, including a fire pit and patio for temperate days. Lucille’s menu is equally as impressive, boasting an array of down home classics as well as quite a few surprises. The appetizers at Lucille’s could serve as main courses on their own. From succulent rib tips to deep fried shrimp, there is literally something for every taste. Try the sampler platter, complete with many favorites like onion straws, fried pickles, egg rolls, fried green tomatoes, and even a trio of dips. Of course the barbecue at Lucille’s is fall off the bone excellent, from ribs, chicken, Texas style beef brisket, and even combinations of above menu items for a family style feast. In addition to these items Lucille’s also offers an array of sandwiches, as well as a good selection of dessert. Traditional dessert dishes like red velvet cake are rounded out by Snickers ice cream pie and old fashioned banana pudding.

Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ
24201 W Valencia Boulevard
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-122
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucilles-smokehouse-bar-b-que-valencia

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co.: A Perfect Marriage of Pizza And Sports

John and George Hadjis got into the pizza biz in 1991 with the opening of the first Oggi’s. As they built their business into a chain, they quickly realized that they could offer more to their employees than just pies. First off, they diversified into a sports bar concept, showing the hottest games from all over the country on wall-mounted TVs. And then, in 1995, they established themselves as a microbrewery and things just got better from there. In Italian, “Oggi” means “today,” referring to the fresh-made dough and other ingredients the chain uses in their 17 branches. Regulars praise the consistency of the pizza and the awesome Mug Club—for an annual fee, you get your own mug on the wall; upon visiting Oggi’s you just walk in, give your mug number and get served a frosty pint. Now that’s service.

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co.
18810 Soledad Canyon Road
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 252-7883
www.oggis.com

Lee’s Wine Bistro: Fine Wine, Great Food, Good Friends

Lee’s Wine Bistro offers Valencia diners a stunning selection of top-tier wines in addition to a menu of fantastic small plates, as well as more substantial items for ravenous diners. The interior of Lee’s is a clean and modern affair, with a sleek black and red color scheme and spacious outdoor dining area. The menu matches the sophistication of the interior with perfectly executed wine bar fare. Small plates are great for sharing and Lee’s outdoes itself with selections like the dried fruit and nut plate, the antipasto platter featuring many fine Italian meats and cheeses, in addition to the hummus and olive tapenade and glazed pears and blue cheese. Lee’s also features a great deal of fabulous pasta dishes including basil pesto penne and penne pomodora with your choice of jumbo shrimp or chicken. The wine selection at Lee’s offers many choices, from mainstays to wines from smaller vineyards. Ask Lee’s expert staff for recommendations on pairing with their excellent dishes.  

Lee's Wine Bistro
24510 Town Center Drive
Suite 310
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 259-7754
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lees-wine-bistro-valencia

Roman Holiday Wine Lounge: Speakeasy Cool

Roman Holiday Wine Lounge pays homage to prohibition era cool with an array of classy upscale fare complete and artisan cocktails. Whether you are in search of a place to kick back with your favorite adult beverage or are looking for a great meal, Roman Holiday has what you need. With 64 wines to choose from, in addition to expertly made cocktails, you may have to seek assistance from Roman Holiday’s expert staff when choosing. But no matter what you choose you are sure to be please. This goes double for Roman Holiday’s menu, which features many wine bar classics. These include a variety of fine cheeses and meats, hearty grilled paninis, and dessert options. The drink menu at Roman Holiday is just as impressive, running from basil lime gimlets and bellinis to caipirinha, a traditional Brazilian liqueur with muddled limes and simple syrup.  

Roman Holiday Wine Lounge
Westfield Valencia Town Center
24201 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 3860
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 799-7221
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roman-holiday-wine-lounge-santa-clarita

Sisley Italian Kitchen: Fine Italian Dining

For fine Italian dining in a casual setting look no further than Sisley Italian Kitchen. Serving Valencia since 1997 Sisley Italian Kitchen offers top notch Italian fare that everyone will enjoy. For starters one could do worse than a Caprese salad, comprised of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Other appetizers include bruschetta, calamari fritte, and the Italian quesadilla, a sumptuous concoction of roasted chicken, pine nuts, and mozzarella in a thin pasta shell. The Italian excellence doesn’t stop there. The main courses are just as impressive, with selections like chicken parmesan panini, family style pasta dinners, even brick oven pizza in a variety of preparations, including goat cheese and pepperoni con funghi. Saturday and Sundays offer a decadent country brunch that can’t be beat. Items include bagel and lox, Tuscan omelet, and potato and egg pizza. 

Sisley Italian Kitchen
24201 Valencia Boulevard
Suite 101
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 287-4444
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sisley-italian-kitchen-valencia

 

Lima Limon: Peruvian Cuisine

If you’ve never tried Peruvian cuisine, your palate is in for a treat. Santa Clarita's Lima Limon creates amazing dishes inspired by the diverse cultures of the South American country. Widely acclaimed by eaters and the media alike, this restaurant offers authentic dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Start off with one of their trademark ceviches, which are amazingly fresh raw fish dishes marinated in lime juice and hot pepper—one bite will make you think about fish in a whole new way. From there, the menu has dozens of popular options, although regulars rave about the lomo saltado, a delicious mélange of sautéed beef and tomatoes served over French fries. Other popular choices include the daily lunch specials—Thursdays in particular offer a specially seasoned rotisserie chicken that is one of Peru’s most famous foods.

Lima Limon
26845 Bouquet Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 297-6714
www.limalimonperuviancuisine.com

Backwoods Inn: A Canyon Country Tradition

Bob & Rose Ohler purchased Canyon County’s Backwoods Inn in 1968 and quickly began turning it into a second home that just happened to serve fantastic food. This legendary local steakhouse is rife with the smell of mesquite smoke and perfectly charred meat right when you walk in the door. It’s very much a restaurant from another age, decorated with yard sale knick-knacks and sawdust all over the floor. But don’t be fooled by the décor – these guys know exactly how to cook a steak. Throw in a full bar with fun, friendly bartenders and you’ve got a great place to knock back a prime rib. If you don’t have a taste for steak, locals rave about the broasted chicken—a fine cut of fowl cooked under a broiler so the inside is moist and juicy and the skin is crackling, crisp and delicious.

Backwoods Inn
17846 Sierra Highway
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 252-5522
www.backwoodsinn.com