A panache version of "Cheers" is a good way to describe one of Santa Clarita's smoothest (but accessible) night-spots, The Social. This upscale "neighborhood" restaurant/bar, located in the old Chiaso building in Newhall, is a lot like the community's newest residents - classy, but with a wild side. The Social's owners have capitalized on the SCV's newest craving: fun but sophisticated places to enjoy good food, company, and libations without the kids. Less successful attempts at capturing the mood that draws young (and young at heart) professionals looking for a great time out have been made, but owners Patrick Lage, along with brothers Scott and Billy Bartholomew, have gotten it right. It's time to call a babysitter.

A little bit romantic, a little bit edgy, The Social's spacious interior promotes the concept that earned its name: socializing. With only four booths, diners have ample opportunity to engage in conversation with their pre-selected dinner-partners, but can just as easily make the rounds. This quality has single SCV gals traveling in packs to the restaurant just as often as their coupled-off counterparts.

Lage and the Bartholomews have combined the two cornerstones of restaurant success that keep the regulars coming back and the word-of-mouth buzzing. Diners at The Social consistently enjoy impeccable service and top-notch dishes that have foodies screaming "Hallelujah." High-quality ingredients make dinner at The Social stand out. "With our filet, for example, we only take five cuts of the very best meat; nothing more. Other restaurants will take much more, not always serving the best of the meat available," says Lage. "We also differ ourselves with our sauces. We've brought back a lot of the 'old' sauces and recipes that you really can't get anymore. Our creme, French and Mediterranean sauces are different, not because they are new but because they are made using old-school methods."

Fans of a few (or more) beverages after work or on the weekends are also rejoicing: The Social boasts over 200 martini choices and 600 drinks. While the food is divine, the bar is worth the trip alone.

The Social is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Reservations are recommended (and, unlike most other local establishments, you can reserve a table for two) for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and can be made the day of (call and leave a message, they will call you back). Expect your dinner experience to take between one-and-a-half to two hours - this kind of dining shouldn't be rushed.

The Social is located at 23329 Lyons Avenue in Newhall. Call 799-9155 for reservations or for more information.