Dining, Arts & Entertainment

To Our Community: Every week, the City Council receives letters, emails and phone calls from our residents.  Most recently the Council has received several heartfelt emails regarding the upcoming change to our library system.  I wanted to share some key information from these letters, in the event that others in the community have similar questions. 

Sake Bistro & Lounge is bringing a truly fine dining experience to the Santa Clarita Valley.  The Bistro menu is meticulously prepared by the city’s only all Cordon Bleu Chef staff featuring the finest steaks, seafoods, and more using only the best ingredients.  If you are wondering what Cordon Bleu refers to or means let me explain.  Le Cordon Bleu is the world’s largest hospitality education institution with 35 schools on five continents serving some 20,000 students. 

Dear Readers,
After two and a half years of writing this monthly column, I’m taking a break.
You might wonder, is she getting married?  Has she met the man of her dreams?  Why else would she stop writing a singles’ column?  I’ll tell you – although it does have something to do with romance, it has nothing to do with love. 

All aboard!  Thomas the Tank Engine™ is set to roll into Fillmore, CA for the Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour 2011.  All Thomas fans are invited to come spend the day with their favorite number one engine.  The event, which takes place April 8-10 and 15-17, will be hosted by Fillmore & Western Railway and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company.

Looking around the restaurant this week we saw first dates, a couple going from “dating” to being engaged, in a tear and applause filled-minute when an entire dining section erupted in applause as the man got down on one knee, before he uttered a single word, a ripple of magic streamed across the room, bringing people to their feet like the wave at Dodger stadium.  We saw a mom – to – be, sharing her last meal with her baby before going into contractions and being rushed off into labor. 

Are cupcakes a do or don’t at your wedding?  Well, break the rules... have fun... go for it!  Cupcakes are a great alternative to the traditional wedding cake.  Why?  Because you can have a variety of cupcake flavors, they can be arranged beautifully on a tower, you can save money, and your guests will love it!
There are many advantages to serving cupcakes at your special event:

Growing up in Llantwit Major, a tiny town in South Wales in the UK, I never dreamed I would someday spend all my time making and selling Welsh Cakes in America. The thought sometimes seems absolutely Twp (“tup” is Welsh for Daft!).  
Making Welsh Cakes is a labor of love handed down in my family for many generations. 

For tasty exotic foods, come enjoy Tandoori Grill, one of Santa Clarita’s best Indian restaurants in town.  Experience the authentic flavors of India in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere and preparing the food to your liking.
Owner Kamal Jit Singh has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1993 and has much experience behind him to make every customer craving for more. Singh’s goal is “to serve quality authentic Indian food and service in the Santa Clarita Valley”. After 18 years of great business, Singh has definitely been living up to his goal.

Come share in the passion of authentic Italian food with Italia Panetteria & Deli.  The aroma of fresh bread abounds as bottles of extra virgin olive oil and other Italian goods line the shelves. Fresh Prosciutto, amongst other delectable Italian cold cuts and pastas fill the deli case.  In one afternoon, I rediscovered the classic traditions and true tastes of Italy, leaving me with a lasting impression and wanting more.
I was greeted with a smile as I walked into family-owned and operated Italia Panetteria & Deli. 

We need your help.  On May 23, J.R.’s Comedy Club is producing the second annual Celebrity Golf classic, benefiting the Santa Clarita Homeless Shelter.  This is the most fun-filled golf tournament you will ever play in.  Each foursome will play with a professional comedian.  At the end of the tournament, there will be a Gala banquet and Comedy show.  We need your help to recruit golfers, sponsors, donations, and volunteers.  I promise this will be a fun and rewarding day.  For more information and to sign up, call David Hartmire, our tournament director at 661-799-7940.

For over 30 years, Egg Plantation has been family-owned and operated.
We are known for our warm, attentive hospitality, delicious fresh cooked food and quaint café charm. Breakfast and lunch is served daily from 6am to 2pm which includes 101 delicious omelets, eggs benedict, Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, sandwiches, hamburgers, salads, home made soups and many other great favorites. We use only the freshest and highest quality local ingredients, with no MSG or Trans Fat.

The #14, Baldwin Steam Engine 2-8-0 locomotive originally built in 1913 and restored in 2010 was introduced to the public at an open house Thursday, Feb 3rd.  County dignitaries were on hand to present proclamations to the owners of Fillmore & Western Railway Co. in recognition of the outstanding and invaluable service to the communities along the Santa Paula Branch Line.
The #14 made her debut in December as it was put through her trials, while pulling “The Christmas Tree Trains.”

Q: I heard that this year Sisley will be turning 22!  Operating for over two decades must have given you a lot to reflect upon.
A: Yes!  We have seen many changes in eating habits, in family dinning and of course economics during our two plus decades.  We are very proud of our past 22 years, and even more excited about the directions we are taking today for many tomorrows.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between today and when you first opened the Italian Eatery?

Sierra Crest Center (SCC), A 70,000 square foot, 4.3-acre strip center is more dynamic and vibrant than any strip center in Santa Clarita. Despite its inspiring energy, some businesses folded or relocated out of state due to the harsh economic environment. Therefore, SCC has space available for lease.
We are 97 percent leased but would like to be 100 percent. SCC is a strong proponent of Community Support. We encourage our tenants to conduct business with each other. We look at the center as a microcosm of our city, our county our state our country.

There’s a new sound in town.  KCSN FM and HD1 launched a new Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) music format on March 1, 2010.  The station began its classical format in 1989 to meet a community need when Classical KFAC went off the air.  Now this public radio station from California State University Northridge is serving a new audience.

The College of the Canyons theatre department will hold auditions for its second spring semester production — Aristophanes’ classic anti-war comedy “Lysistrata”— in search of more than 30 actors aged 15 to 60 to round out the large ensemble cast.
A bawdy, sexy political comedy that glorifies the power of fertility in the face of destruction, “Lysistrata” takes place in Athena during the 20th year of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.

Open since December, the idea of bringing Big City dining the Santa Clarita Valley was conceived in 2007. Tired of driving to the West side for great restaurants, long time Santa Clarita Valley residents and business owners, Mark Oliver, Jae Seo, James and Janus Tanner, Dr. Chace Unruh, and Dr. Michael Corben wanted to create a first class fine dining experience combined with a fun place for adults to hang out with friends and enjoy a drink, without being inundated with the “club scene” crowd or listening to the same music from the same band.

Being healthy means eating a good diet and exercising.  We all know this should be our way of life. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t splurge once in a while and treat yourself to something sweet.  You absolutely should.  My motto is that we only have one life to live, so live well and enjoy yourself... be good most of the time, so that you can be bad some of the time... everything in moderation.
Take a look at me: I’m not only the owner of Kupcake Kitchen, I’m also an aerobics instructor!  A total oxymoron?