The Social

Took the hubby here for Father’s Day and we were pleasantly surprised. The menu, atmosphere, and service is much more upscale than you’d expect for the location. It is loud enough (at least around the bar) and casual enough, however, to be a good option for just about any occasion or celebration.
The staff weren’t what I would call warm and welcoming, but they were cordial and professional and served us well. Technically this is not a family-​friendly restaurant, but they were gracious to let us bring our 3-​year-​old with us. She shared what we ate and didn’t cause any trouble.
The food was delicious. They start you off with your drinks and warm bread and what I think was Italian-​spiced liver pâté. We ate it all and also ordered the filet mignon satay and escargot (because the hubby wanted me to try it) as appetizers. They don’t serve the next course until they see you are finished with the current one. At first we thought they were just really slow when, in fact, we were the ones eating slowly.
By the time we ordered our entrees (the lobster ravioli and Tom’s mac & cheese with the chopped apple salad… all delicious) we were pretty full and ready for the bill. $ 80 later we were satisfied and relaxed and had a bunch of leftovers for the next day. I’m sure we’ll be going back on future date nights or for drinks with friends. It’s perfect for those times when you can’t decide which type of cuisine you feel like, and for us it’s close to home. We had a great time.

If I have to choose between going to Hollywood finesse restaurant in a Limo and The Social on foot, I will go to the Social. Amazing food, great portion, reasonable prices. For me food is all about taste and portion. The location is just facing Orchard village beside Dominoes Pizza in the Vallarta plaza on Lyons. Great staff, everyone is checking on you to make sure everything is fine, money well spent! Please check it out if you have a plans for great food in a nice ambience. I will be back

What a great place to go to in the Newhall/​Santa Clarita area. Their happy hour is one of the best I’ve been too. They have a wide variety of martinis, wine, and mixed drinks. One of the best lemon drop martinis I’ve had. The food is good too. I had the baked penne from their happy hour menu. The bartenders were very attentive and were very nice. It was my first time here and I know it won’t be my last.

We were searching for a different restaurant from all of our usual places in Santa clarita. We decided to try the social. The martinis looked good but our family doesn’t drink so we couldn’t give an opinion on those. Apparently they are their specialty. I had the special, a white fish with a citrus sauce, Chipotle mashed potatoes, and asparagus. So amazing! Who knew spicy mashed potatoes would be soo amazing. We also had the mushroom cream soup which was the specialty soup that night. also great! I would definetely recommend this restaurant :)

Not sure how it took us so long to eat here but I’m super glad we finally did! We went this weekend with another couple. The martini’s are awesome (and strong). I had the filet mignon bearnaise, my husband had the Spaghetti Bolognese (so did one of our friends) and our other friend had Tom’s Mac&Cheese (I think it was called Tom’s). It was all delicious.
Our waitress was wonderful as well. I didn’t love the décor but we will be back for sure because the food and service were spectacular.

Always a favorite! Food is almost too good. Martinis are fun & tasty. The Social continues to be my #1 favorite place to dine!!!

I set up a work dinner here in Santa Clarita. I wasn’t expecting much. Not at all trying to sound pretentious but I live in a suburb myself and therefore was not expecting a really high caliber meal. Boy was I wrong! The meal started with a really outstanding blue cheese olive Martini. We ordered a bunch of appetizers including the escargot which I thought was quite good. For the entrée I took the lamb chops. I thought it was a great cut of meat, although perhaps a bit on the fatty side. I had them done medium rare which was ultimately a good choice. I would highly recommend this place. If I could make one comment, and this might be unfair because it was a busy hour when I went, I felt the service was quite slow. Our waitress came by very intermittently to check on our table despite the fact that we had a relatively large party. A little more attention would’ve gone a long way but I am still inclined to read this place highly on the basis of it’s truly outstanding food and unique menu.

Food is very good and the drinks are better but the décor is from the 80’s. It is kinda hidden and a great place to go for a serous talk but definitely not a gno destination.

For years, my wife would suggest going to the Social, and I would often balk due mainly to its location. Friends told me that the restaurant had the best array of Martinis in Santa Clarita.
The restaurant is located in a strip mall off of Lyons and Old Orchard in the city of Newhall, Looking at the restaurant from the outside you may assume there is not much to it, but I was surprised.
Once we entered the Social we were greeted with the forced millennial smile, I informed the hostess of our reservation she preceded to seat us at a table in the middle of the floor, I noticed booths were open so I asked if we could have a booth she informed me that the booths were reserved.
Because they have so few booths patrons, reserve them ahead of time, my wife was willing to sit at the table but even though we were going on almost 30 years l was looking for a little more romantic atmosphere even in Santa Clarita.
The hostess said the next time you make a reservation ask for a booth, I thought to myself– don’t be so presumptive we will see how the night goes to decide if I would return. I even said it out loud as she sat us at a wobbly table. Once we sat down, we noticed how wobbly the table was I was ready to walk when our server came with a folded piece of paper to place under the leg.
Our waitress seemed to be a little distant and limited in how much attention she was going to give; she was as friendly as needed; I tried to force a conversation and smile out of her but to no avail. I then thought well maybe she has so many tables to wait on, there were only four tables that needed service, and there were two other waiters
My wife ordered a Martini, and I ordered the house Cabernet as I sat taking in the atmosphere and wondering if the Social will live up to the positive reviews I read on Unilocal.
The manager /​owner; approached our table and informed us that since they have a 15 min grace period that one of the reservations were forfeited, and we could sit in a booth. We thanked the manager, and he preceded to sit us at the first booth near the entrance. We eventually got around to order our main course.
Wife ordered the Lobster Thermadore which was no longer on the menu but our waitress was willing to speak to the chef and they were able to accommodate us we also ordered the «Osso Buco». Soon the restaurant began to fill up and the noise level from the bar increased. I took notice of something that is common in Santa Clarita dining… Many of the older generation will quickly become regulars leaving those who are not a regular feeling a bit ignored. Our waitress never returned to our table until the food was served and once that happened she was gone out of sight. As for the food, it was well prepared and had a nice presentation, I have eaten all over Los Angelels, New York Vegas, Hong Kong just to name a few and I have to say the cuisine at the Social could hold its own. As for the service, it is still a bit wanting and they need to know that a smile will go along way and it has it;s financial rewards too.

Yes, yes, yes… my husband and I took a couple of distinguished friends here for a birthday dinner. All four of us ate drank and left merry. Thank you, thank you, thank you Patrick for an amazing meal and atmosphere.

We love this restaurant. Excellent food. Great gluten free options. And over 99 amazing martinis!!! One of my favorite places to eat!!!

This place appears to be nothing special from the outside. It’s also kind of hard to find because the map on Unilocal is WAY off, and even our GPS put us on the other side of the street. Basically, find Dominoes, and it’ll be right next door.
The Social’s sign advertises itself as a martini bar, and that it is. WIDE selection of martinis of various flavor combinations. I tried the key lime pie, and it tasted like, wait for it… key lime pie. No, not like alcohol trying to be key lime pie, but like actual key lime pie with just a bit of kick to it. I easily could have gotten drunk off of those.
The food here was also pretty good. For starters, they serve a basket of this delicious bread that is warm and soft and oh so tasty — so much so that my boyfriend who despises bread actually asked for seconds! It’s served with an olive tapenade spread, or you can ask for olive oil and balsamic vinegar too.
The filet satay appetizer was amazing. The beef was tender, and the peanut sauce was great. The french onion soup, however, was just ok. It had a great taste, but it needed more content. There was a lot of broth with too little onions, bread or cheese. I wanted the cheese completely covering the top of the tureen and crusting over the sides. Instead, it was melted directly on top of a piece of bread that simply floated on top of the soup. A bit disappointing.
For our entrees, we tried the osso buco and the lobster thermidor. The osso buco was so tender. Very good. The lobster thermidor was likewise amazing. Cheesy, lobstery goodness with spicy mashed potatoes to go with it. I would definitely recommend both entrees.
Unfortunately, dessert fell flat. I’m not sure what kind of selection they normally have, but they had run out of things by the time we made it to dessert, and there were three rather uncreative options. We selected the crème brûlée, and it was just ok. Honestly, I personally make a better crème brûlée. The taste just wasn’t there, and the proportions of brulee to crème were off.
Overall, though, I would definitely come back. I liked way more things than I disliked, and I appreciated the finer food with a casual atmosphere. Sometimes you want fancy food but just don’t feel like dressing to the nines. The Social is then your bet.

The Social is a great spot for a local feel. All the staff are friendly and service feels very personal.
My first time here my husband took me out for an upscale dinner on my birthday. The dinner menu is expensive but worth it. If you are looking for something unique and different, this is the place for that special meal out.
My friends and I really love the happy hour and bar area. It is not huge, but it is cozy and friendly. Great atmosphere!

Me and my fiancé tried to go here tonight for just a few drinks for my birthday but the host refused to work with us she told me she couldn’t seat me in the restaurant cuz it would close in an hour and there was no seating in the bar. It honestly felt like we were just not wanted so we left. I wanted to try out this place but feeling unwanted changed my mind. We ended up some where else where we got a few drinks an appetizer, and dessert. Just cuz someone says they just want drinks doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity for more sales there.

Could be better. Food comes out cold leftovers taken to be packed up were gone for at least an hour. They don’t seem prepared for group of 8 to 10 people we went twice hoping the second time would be better. Disappointed

Drinks are great! Bartenders are very knowledgeable and friendly! Yumny appetizers. I have yet to eat dinner there yet but planning to soon.

Atmosphere = warm snd friendly (4)
Food= mixed. Social salad with chicken was fine. The Osso Bucu was very mediocre and the risotto poor. (1)
Staff = mixed. The manager was friendly and seated us. The waitress and water/​bread server somewhat vacant. (3)
Overall, give it a 3; wish the food was much better so that We could find a place to go to regularly.

Love, Love, Love this little gem in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Town Center and the Mall, yet just close enough for a $ 7 Über ride each way… welcome for the plug Über ;-)
We are going again tonight with friends and I can’t wait for my slightly dirty Grey Goose Martini! Doing low carb so I’ll be ordering the blue chop salad to share with the hubby again (yum!) and probably the salmon with extra veggies instead of rice. Everything is so yummy at this place and the energy and service is something special for this day and age. I am so looking forward to this, if you haven’t tried it… it’s a must! Go tonight, I’ll see you there!!! :-)

Atmosphere
Cozy place, seats maybe 70. Very small outdoor seating and only a few spots at the bar. Décor is great and fitting for the restaurant’s name. Chic and elegant. Gets packed on the weekends. Obviously, it is a social place to be.
While some may whine about the location of the restaurant (as it is located in as strip center), the only true criticism I’ve read is that there is no room grow. Once inside the restaurant, you will be more engrossed with the wine and lobster bisque than the fact you’re next door to a pizza shop.
Staff
I have had a wonderful experience each time I’ve come. Always greeted with smiles by the hostest and attentive waitresses & waiters.
Food
Consistently excellent. The food is fresh, savory, and very filling. If you manage to save a little room, their deserts are wonderful. I recommend the Crème Brule which is served with a fluffy whipped cream and blackberries. The drinks are wonderful and reasonably priced for the quality served. I love the Appletini! Their coffees are a great wind down.

I was traveling for business from the bay area to LA. I stopped in Gorman looking for a place to eat and could find nothing but Mexican, so I « UnilocalED» for a good restaurant near me. «The Social» came up in my search, not far off the freeway and only 45 minutes further, so I thought I’d check it out. I pulled in to the parking lot and honestly was not impressed. Was I in for a delightful surprise. I ordered a salad and the lobster bisque soup and it was the best I ever had. The bread was amazing and the service was incredible and to top it off the price was actually very responsible. I will stop here every time on my way to LA!!!

Great scallop & bacon app. I was skeptical about the pineapple sauce, but it worked well. Also, the bacon had a nice crisp to it. The lobster bisque was OK with good flavor, but a few more pieces of lobster are needed. The top sirloin was a nice thick cut and very tender @ a medium cook.

A great local spot in an unusual location. Great for dinner, dates, etc. I had no idea this great restaurant existed – nestled in an anonymous strip mall. Definitely check it out!

Happy hour review. Kobe slider was amazing. I’ve been dieting so maybe it was just the bliss after depravation, but yum! Mom loved the filet satay in peanut sauce. You can order the calamari sauteed or fried, we did sauteed and it was touch over cooked, but that’s my only complaint and it wasn’t enough to take a star away. The bruschette was so yummy! They are known for their martinis, tell them what you’re in the mood for and they make it happen (they being Patrick who’s awesome). Great service, great food, great happy hour menu, pretty full on a Friday. We’ll be back.

I ordered the filet mignon and my wife had the rack of lamb. We shared a lobster bisque. Everything tastes really good and I would defiantly recommend coming here. They brought out bread with a topping that was also great. The bread was soft and warm. I asked the waitress what the spread was and it was something like ground olives, dried tomatoes and Parisian cheese. It was good though. My only complaint was finding a couple small pieces of lobsters shell in the bisque.

Heading in don’t be mislead by the aroma of dominos next door, even though they have booth seating too. You will not be disappointed here, flavorful food with generous portions.

A solid 4 star restaurant.
Nicely appointed, small place with maybe 70 seats.
Great happy hour — food and drinks. Caprese Salad is good ($ 4) but get balsamic on the side.
Outside area if you need it.

I am writing this review just hoping that the owner of the restaurant reads it.
My wife and I are regulars, not as often as we like but at least once a month. We love the food but we usually go for the martinis Friday evenings. Sean was the best and we miss not seeing him Friday nights anymore.
Anyway, last two times we had to leave without getting any drinks because the bar area was full. Two weeks in a row. Not your fault and we are glad that the business is good but bad for us.
I hate to be the person that gives you business advice but I have to. The restaurant location where Mulligan used to be is now JJ grill. They are not going to last because it’s not good. You need to get that location and make Social bigger. You will have plenty of dining area and a lot of bar space. On top of that outdoor sitting as well.
You have steady regular clients that will come and you don’t have to worry about being found. As you can see from most of the reviews on Unilocal,everyone hates the fact that you are in a strip mall next to auto parts store and Vallarta. It totally kills the class of your place.
Please make your restaurant bigger by taking the location when it becomes available.

Went there on Christmas Eve and had a blast! My wife and I stayed in the bar and had drinks all night. The martinis were very good! There are so many to choose from on the menu. I had the «liquid cocaine» martini. I recommend it if you like Jaegermeister. By far, the owner is the coolest restauranteur I have ever met. Four mounts later my wife and I returned for food. Again, we were impressed by the excellent service, wonderful food and delicious dessert. I highly recommend this place. It is a diamond in the rough.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this upscale restaurant/​bar located in a section of town that is not known for it’s fine dining cuisine.
They have a dizzying selection of martinis. The bartender provided top notch customer service. He was genuinely friendly and gave great drink selection recommendations. I’ll definitely be back to try the food.

I’m embarrassed I even took my mom here for Mother’s Day. There’s a reason why I was able to make a last-​minute reservation to this place for this usually-​busy-​holiday-​for-​restaurants because it wasn’t very good.
The staff was very nice with greeting and wishing us a happy Mother’s Day. As we sat and got situated at the booth, we met with much discomfort as the seat backing is stiff and at an exact 90-​degree angle making it impossible to lean back for a relaxing meal. The table is situated really close to you and uncomfortable for your legs. It felt like we were sitting in economy class for a flight!
Starters were the Social Salad, French Onion Soup, and Lobster Bisque. My family seemed satisfied with those, but I thought my lobster bisque could have been a little more generous on the lobster pieces.
My mom ordered the Cuban Style Skirt Steak that was flavorful and was accompanied by rice and only two plantains and no veggies. My Osso Bucco was alright, but definitely not the best bone marrow I’ve had (Bestia is still my fave) and the mushroom risotto was creamy as any risotto should be. The downfall dish came to my sister’s Shrimp Scampi that sat pathetically in a diluted sauce with no real flavor. I had to ask them to take this back as I wasn’t about to pay $ 23 for something unappetizing and lacking any culinary attention.
The timing of the dishes coming out were sad, as well. After finishing our appetizers, we sat waiting for our main entrees for quite some time. Halfway into the entrees, we had a unanimous agreement that we couldn’t wait to get out of this place as it was uncomfortable and the food wasn’t good enough to keep us wanting to eat more or stay longer.
Next time we’ll venture out of the SCV for special occasions!

The Social is one of our «places» and we meet up with good friends here as often as possible.
Seriously they do an AWESOME Osso Bucco with bone marrow. It’s my favorite preparation. The mushroom risotto is a great creamy background to the über tender meat and once I discovered it, I literally refuse to order anything else here.
The Owner Pat is a hoot (full of great stories!) and really sets a leisure dining experience. The staff is attentive and they have awesome martinis.
I feel this is a quiet and upscale restaurant, however, they are great about accommodating kids and kids’ tastes. I.e. they are willing to make a pasta creamier/​cheesier to tempt kiddie palates.