When you work at a local magazine, knowing about the coolest places and things in your town is, well, your job! The following restaurants, shopping, craft stores and more make up our Favorite Things in 2005.



Philly Cheese Steak Pizza
Salt Creek Grille (222-9999)

Favorite of Jeanna Crawford, Publisher

Thin, tender slices of steak, peppers, jalapenos and quality cheese top a gourmet crust on what Publisher Jeanna Crawford literally refers to as "a big slice of Heaven." It doesn't matter if you can't find Philadelphia on a map - there's nothing regional about the taste of this deluxe pie. The spicy, meaty goodness of the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza has Crawford, and her converts, noshing on it whenever possible. The pizza, which was dropped from the menu earlier this year, will be making a comeback in January due to popular demand (and a few well-versed threats).



Chrysler 300
Valencia Chrysler-Jeep (252-5337)

Favorite of Johnie MacDonald, Senior Account Executive

When Johnie found a car that, in his words, "looks like a $100,000 Bentley for $30,000," he was excited - so excited, in fact, that the rest of the staff can now recite the rest of his ramblings from memory. Look - I'll show you: "The Chrysler 300 has a variable displacement engine that can shut down unneeded cylinders to save on gas, but can also produce nearly 400 horsepower." See?



Santa Clarita Photographic Studio (775-0898)

Favorite of Kelly Bloomfield, Creative Director

Kelly, proud new momma of Haley Madison Bloomfield, treasures the shots that photographer Julie took of her newborn. Santa Clarita Photographic Studio also commemorated Kelly's pregnancy with "belly" pictures before little Haley was born.



Thai & Chinese Food (formerly Thai, Chinese & Ice Cream) (251-8544)

Favorite of Kyle Crawford, Publisher

This restaurant, found on the corner of Soledad and Sand Canyon in Canyon Country, has been serving up the best Pad Thai around for the last 18 years, or so says Kyle. I say we take his word for it - a lifetime resident of the SCV, Kyle grew up in CC and has spent the better portion of his life finding great stuff off the beaten path.



Simply Knitting (259-6864)

Favorite of Pamela Dimry, Senior Account Executive

Pamela knows knitting! She says that Simply Knitting is a great place to relax on a sofa, make new friends, and knit to your heart's content. She's also a fan of Craft Creations (775-9406), which offers Sit and Knit Saturdays.

After a day spent making ponchos, you may find Pamela and her husband at Moretti's (254-2475), a great Italian restaurant on Lyons. They love the comfortable atmosphere and authentic food (the owner is from Italy).



The Yellow Victorian Building on Lyons

Favorite of Therese Edwards, Publisher

I love family-owned restaurants, boutiques and being outside - all qualities that make the Yellow Victorians on Lyons my favorite place to be.

Here's my perfect Sunday: Eating one of the 101 delicious omelets at the Egg Plantation (255-8222), then walking about seven steps to Cottage on Walnut (253-0804), where I peruse their eclectic collection of both antique and new home decor and gifts. Then I walk another five steps to Up Your Alley (259-4166), where every embroidered jacket and ribboned skirt seems made for me. Finally, my omelet well-digested, I make my way across the parking lot (a whole 20 steps) to Michele Pastry Cafe (255-1225), where I indulge on a divine petit four and hot mug of Luxe tea. The Yellow Victorians also contain a children's tea house, a yoga studio, a hair design salon, and even a money school! I only wish they had a room for rent so that I could live there.



Dress'r Drawers (250-1121)

Favorite of Katie Burbank, Senior Account Executive

"Secret Wardrobe Weapon" is how Katie describes her favorite boutique. The store, filled with a variety of high-end brands (Free People and Sanctuary are two of Katie's faves) and accessories, Dress'r Drawers makes the effervescent Burbank "thankful that [she's] a woman."



Carousel Ranch's New Property (253-2195)

Favorite of Wayne Crawford, Publisher

When you're nearly homeless, it feels like any piece of property will do, but when an organization dedicates itself to helping mentally and physically disabled kids, you have to be picky.

It seemed like Carousel Ranch, which provides equestrian therapy, would never find its dream home, but in late 2005, prayers came true with the purchase of a 10-acre site featuring covered arenas and a Western town.

When we're looking for Wayne, we know that he can be found (without cell service) on a tractor, prepping the land for Carousel Ranch.