Do you like omelets? Seriously, really like omelets? Egg Plantation likes omelets. Using over 6,000 farm fresh eggs a week, this local breakfast legend has 101 omelets on the menu, featuring a wide array of fillings. Every meal is made from scratch with no MSG or trans fats. Locals rave about the crab omelet and the chorizo and avocado, but pretty much everything that comes out of the kitchen is great. If you’re not in the mood for eggs, the peanut butter stuffed French toast has won hearts with its intensely filling calorie bomb. Sides include home fries and hash browns, all of which are great. In addition, Egg Plantation makes fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. The décor is traditional American diner, but what else would you expect? Service is great, friendly, and unpretentious, and there’s live music every Saturday. Be warned, though, they close at 2 p.m.

Egg Plantation
24415 Walnut Street
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 255-8222
www.eggplantation.com

Great sushi isn’t hard to find in California, as fresh fish is abundant and there’s a sizable Japanese population to teach traditional methods of preparation and recipes. But there are few restaurants that take Japanese cooking and fuse it with traditional French methods like Santa Clarita’s Maru. Executive chef Jason Park flies fish in from Tokyo daily, picks produce from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, and creates dishes that please every sense. Regulars go gaga over Park’s fried chicken, a cunning take on the classic fast food that is juicy, perfectly breaded, and piping hot. Soy braised short ribs are also excellent, and their sushi preparation is delicate and fresh, with flavorful, firm nigiri and innovative rolls. When you’re there, order a Mexican Coca-Cola (made with real cane sugars) to wash down your meal. Service is attentive and helpful, but prices can be a little high.

Maru
24250 Town Center Drive, Suite 180
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 290-2595
www.maruvalencia.com

It can be hard to convince less adventurous eaters to take the plunge into Japanese food—the concept of eating raw fish can be just too much for some to handle. Those in the know, however, understand that Japanese cuisine is about more than just sushi, and Valencia’s Kabuki does a great job of representing the diversity and excellence of the country’s culinary traditions. This popular chain has branches throughout California and Arizona, serving up not only sushi but cooked foods that have regulars raving. Some of the hottest dishes on the menu include the tonkatsu, a breaded cutlet of pork served with a savory sauce, as well as the variety of tempuras. Classic Japanese noodle dishes like udon and ramen are also well-represented. And, of course, if you have a yen for sushi there is a wide variety of rolls on the menu to nosh on. The Lotus on Fire roll is a particular favorite.

Kabuki
24045 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-8655
www.kabukirestaurants.com

Voted the most romantic restaurant in the Santa Clarita area, Le Chene serves spectacular, authentic French food in a gorgeous location surrounded by a glade of oak trees. The restaurant’s architecture will remind you of a small castle, with a fantastic patio, wine cellar, and a fine bar. The wine cellar is deserving of some special notice—housing up to 32,000 bottles, it wins the restaurant special recognition from Wine Spectator for their vast range of vintages available. Owner Juan Alonso bought the building in 1980 and renovated it into its current state, in addition to planting a vineyard next door. The food is uniformly excellent, with diners praising the lobster, wild boar, and what some have called the best duck anywhere in California. The drive can be a bit much, but once you get there, it’s like a peaceful oasis that will reward your dedication.

Le Chene
12625 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 251-4315
www.lechene.com

If you’re hankering for East Coast Italian food, Frank Competelli has you covered. The Big Apple transplant relocated to California two decades ago and decided to bring the food he grew up with to a new audience, which has received him with open arms. At Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant, you’ll get the classics prepared with great ingredients and fine attention to detail. Regulars rave about the many lobster preparations on the menu, including a tender stuffed tail and a spicy, hearty lobster fra diavolo. The linguini with clams is also excellent, as are the black Angus aged steaks and the tender osso buco.  Portion sizes are large, as you'd expect from an Italian place, and prices are fair. And just like dining in the city that never sleeps, Frankie's is open late—the kitchen doesn't close 'til midnight.

Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant
24025 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-8888
www.frankiesonmelrose.com