If the nicest restaurant you've been to in the last six months served ketchup in packets, it's time for a change. And even if you know the joys of cloth napkins first hand, you're still looking for a deal, right? Attention bargain shoppers: Trade your bland drive-thru fare this month for the finest House Specials from over 30 SCV eateries - all in one spot.

Taste of the Town, the premier fundraiser for Child & Family Center, has reduced its general admission rate to a friendly $50; reserved seats are now only $85, and come complete with umbrella shade, table and chair.

No matter what ticket option you choose, you'll enjoy all-you-can-eat food and beverages from Santa Clarita's favorite and up-and-coming restaurants, caterers, wine companies and breweries. Nosh and stroll through the park-like grounds while sipping champagne (the now-famous Diamond Drop experience can be had for an additional $25; you could win a one-carat sparkler), live entertainment, chef-lead cooking demonstrations, a silent auction and more. Log onto the website for a full list of events.

The Dish...
21st-Annual Taste of the Town
Sunday, May 3, starting at 1p.m.
Mann Biomedical Park in Valencia
General admission is $50; Reserved seating is $85. Tickets available online, at select local retail locations or at the door. Adults only, please. www.tasteofthetown.com

Just a Nibble - Taste of the Town Preview

Bristol Farms

Dinner's always ready at Bristol Farms. The specialty food store has complete ready-to-eat hot foods and ready-to-cook meals that use only the finest ingredients. Try the Thursday Night Wine Tastings in the Cafe. For $22.95 you'll taste (and learn about) four to five wines and dine on a light meal of hors d'oeuvres. On Wednesday's Pasta Night, kids eat free (with each paying adult). Nosh on a fresh salad and choose from various pastas, sauces and toppings, like sausage and meatballs - all for $5.95 per meal; 284-5970 www.bristolfarms.com

Salt Creek Grille

The SCV's favorite classic steakhouse also provides full-service, custom catering in house and at your location of choice. Salt Creek Grille and Salt Creek Grille Catering create memorable experiences. Check out their Monday night half-priced bottles of wine ($100 an under), Tuesday evening Girl's Night, Chef's dinners and Wine Pairing events, exclusive Concierge Service and Sunday Brunch featuring artists from the WAVE. Watch a SCG chef demo at Taste of the Town; 222-9999 www.saltcreekgrille.com

Stonefire Grill

Stonefire Grill's tender, delicious tri tip roasts are slow cooked overnight and then finished on their authentic mesquite grill. Choose from Mesquite BBQ or Pepper Garlic with Gorgonzola butter for the perfect main course. Try a half tri tip roast, for a limited time, in their "Stimulus Package"- along with a 12-inch two-topping pizza, your choice of small salad (Garden, Caesar, Greek or Cartwheel), and eight breadsticks - all for $19.99 (limit two per order, takeout only); 799-8282 www.stonefiregrill.com

Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.

Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. is everything you'd want in a brew pub - and a restaurant. Handcrafted, award-winning ales are paired with exceptional, crave-worthy flavors. The eclectic menu isn't available anywhere else - and definitely not at Wolf Creek's low prices. Everything's made in house, even their ridiculously-delectable chocolate cake (Pastry Chef Meghan has a well-deserved following!). Stop by for their Sunday Brunch or Tuesday Wine Night, where all bottles are 40 percent off; 263-9653 www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com

Italian Panatteria

Italia Panetteria offers the kind of homemade goodness that you probably never got at home - unless Mom was a celebrated authentic Italian cook. The family-owned deli and bakery is serving crave-worthy selections like meatballs, sausage and peppers, mini cannolis and fresh-baked bread at Taste of
the Town - but visit their welcoming shop in Valencia for the full experience. They carry imported groceries, the finest cold cuts, frozen specialties and delicious traditional Italian desserts; 294-9069 www.italiavalencia.com

New Moon Restaurant

If you love Asian cuisine - and even if you don't - you owe it to your taste buds (and every one of your five senses) to try New Moon. Their gourmet take on contemporary Chinese cuisine is delicious. Beat the heat with their super-fresh, mouth-watering Chicken Salad - or one of their signature cocktails. The jellyfish tank at the bar is sure to impress. Stop by Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to close for half-priced wines by the glass or a free Happy Hour Appetizer with purchase of entree; 257-4321 www.newmoonrestaurants.com







Special Thanks to...
Title Sponsor
Bank of Santa Clarita

Executive Chef
Harold & Jacquie Petersen
Inside SCV Magazine
KHTS AM 1220
Mann Biomedical Park
Princess Cruises
Santa Clarita Studios
Superior Gold Group
The Magazine of Santa Clarita
The Signal
Vanir Construction Management

Sous Chef
Andy Gump
Citron Spa
Classic Designs Jewelry
Heys Plumbing
Maitre D' 
Shelley & G. Marshall Hann
Kenny & Jeannie McMahan
Pardee Homes
SCV Bank
David & Lisa Vanacore

Garcon
Advantage Disposal & Recycling Service
Robert & Diane Ayres
Confidential Data Destruction
Bill & Valerie Cooper
Frank & Charlotte Kleeman
LA Party Rents
LBW Insurance
Martin Wealth Management
Shepard Insurance
Julie Sturgeon, CPA
Thomas Graphics
Witkin Family Trust

Take a Bite Outta...
Babe's Dessert Bar
Bella Cucina Venetian
BJ's Restaurant
Bristol Farms
Castaic Lake Water Agency
Clarice's Cake & Candy Supplies
Frankies NY Italian Restaurant
Freshers Soft Frozen Lemonade
Indian Wells Brewing Co.
Italia Panetteria & Deli
Jasmine Thai BBQ
Jill's Cake Creations
La Salsa
LA Trends
Lee's Wine Bistro
Margarita's Mexican Grill
Maru Sushi
Mojito
Newhall Coffee
New Moon
The Paseo Club
Rattlers Bar-B-Que
Roast House
RSVP - The Catering Company
Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill
Salt Creek Grille
Sisley Italian Kitchen
The Social
Stonefire Grill
Tandoori Grill
TeaZazz Sparkling Tea
Trader Joe's
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Vines
Vino 100
Vinter's Cellar
Vivoli Cafe & Trattoria
Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.