Laura D.
Yelp
I've taken off one star because I thought the ambience could use a good tuneup, but the food here was fantastic.
Never thought I'd be dining in Santa Clarita, but a good friend moved out there and I zoomed out to meet him for lunch. This little part of town is charming, they have kept the old cowboy main street look, with railings to hitch yer horse, and old style store fronts.
This place is really a glorified bar. It's dark, even during the day, and because it's not that big, half the clientele sit in the front room which is the bar. There is another room which seems friendlier, but it's small and was packed.
Some of the waiters are bartenders as well as waiters. What was nice is that anyone will help you. You don't have to wait to get the attention of your personal server. The staff were TERRIFIC, with a slight exception for the young girl at the hostess desk, who seemed shy and not very communicative. Maybe she was new. Otherwise everyone was really super.
We started with salads. My friend had a caesar ($14) which was quite different from the usual caesar. It was very creamy, had whipped ricotta, and did not have an anchovy taste. (I have to say it was not my favorite caesar, but my friend liked it). I had the Beet Salad ($18) which was PERHAPS THE BEST SALAD I HAVE EVER EATEN. Beets, crispy prosciutto, goat cheese, dried cherries, pistachios, some greens. Yum yum yum.
My friend had the duck breast ($37), and he was very impressed. Served on a bed of DELICIOUS polenta, with a brandy molasses reduction, brussels leaves, and fig jam.
Short ribs are one of my favorites and yes, they had it ($36). I know I know, it's a little pricey but so worth it. Served with faro, pea pure', and a demi glaze. The piece of short rib was huge; Joey the dog got half of it when I got home. It was juicy, incredibly falling-apart tender and delicious.
We had some kind of chocolatey dessert and it was great too.
I just can't say enough for the food here, and am sorry it is so far from me (50 minutes from L.A. on a good day) But whenever I'm out there again, I will be a repeat customer, you can bet the ranch.