Brewery Draconum has found itself right at home in downtown Newhall. It brings with it the exact kind of authentic, small-town character you’d hope to find in this historic wild west district, and at the same time a level of sophistication in its menu and ambiance that reminds you that you’re still in LA.
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And the beer? Unquestionably killer, crafted through decades of experience under owner Ben Law and his humble yet visionary team.

​A true brewpub, Brewery Draconum brews a wide variety of beers in-house, turning out new types so often that they can’t print new menus fast enough. The beer room is visible from the other side of the bar, rows of stainless steel vats a beautiful site for patrons seeking beer straight from the source. Their gutterhead red ale is a house favorite, with excellent Saison, melonkolschy [kolsch] and ABVAF [golden Belgian strong] as additional contemporary highlights. You’ll also find additional craft brews from SoCal icons such as Stone Brewing and Mother Earth.

​Brewery Draconum’s meticulous attention to detail carries through to its food menu, which of course incorporates into recipes whenever possible. They make nearly everything from scratch, all the way down to their potato and tortilla chips. Enjoy them with some impressive spinach dip, then move onto a fresh, colorful beet salad finished with creamy burrata.

Mains go for an unbelievably reasonable price point, from $10 perfectly fried fish tacos and customizable burgers that start at $12. And hallelujah, those burgers include fries! If you’re seeking something more elevated, try the rack of lamb with Irish mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Unsurprisingly, everything pairs quite fittingly with the beer menu, including dessert—how about a nitro beer float?

​Out back is the beer garden, where communal picnic tables and lawn games allow you to make the most of your afternoon or evening.
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Brewery Draconum is located at 24407 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Open Tue and Thu 12 – 10 p.m., Fri – Sat 12 – midnight, Sun 12 – 9 p.m. Closed Tue and Wed for brewing. Avg. out-the-door price for split appetizer, entrée and 1 – 2 drinks is ~$41/person. For more information call (661) 568-9160 or visit Brewery Draconum’s Facebook page.

Lunetta All Day has expanded beyond its fast-casual roots to Lunetta Dining and The Moon Bar, located right next door. The sophisticated concepts allow Executive Chef and former pro surfer Raphael Lunetta—one of the first chefs to popularize farm-to-table dining—to flex his culinary muscle, as well as provide an intimate setting for guests to enjoy an upscale meal in East Santa Monica.

​Lunetta Dining unveils impeccably complex, yet approachable dishes that showcase everything about LA’s contemporary dining scene. Beverage Director and Sommelier Kristine Bocchino’s wine and cocktail program matches the same exoticism and attention to detail, with both food and drink boasting artistic presentation and a pleasantly reckless incorporation of flowers that puts a smile on your face.

 Lunetta and Bocchino are joined by Partner and Proprietor Mike Garrett [Voda, Lounge 217, Falcon, Anisette, Pearl Dragon] and Daniel Weinstock [Spago, Maple Block Meat Co.] for a combined wealth of restaurant experience at the helm.

​Farm-to-table continues to ring true at Lunetta Dining, with an ever-changing menu to reflect seasonal flavors. Summer brings dishes such as grilled nectarines with machego and prosciutto, ahi tuna tartare, New Zealand rack of lamb and wood-grilled loup de mer and Spanish octopus. Drinks such as the honey ryder, the tired but wired and the not your mama’s negroni allow Moon Bar to share Lunetta Dining’s motif of familiarity with exploratory nuances.
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Lunetta Dining Room and Bar is located at 2424 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, next to Lunetta All Day. For more information call (310) 581-9888 or visit LunettaSM.com. ​

Preux & Proper, known for Louisiana-inspired Southern fare in DTLA, has recently debuted Proper Dining Hall, a festive and intimate space upstairs from the main dining room. Dynamic in both the food it serves and the events it hosts, Proper Dining Hall looks to create a modern vibe around a classic bayou feel. 

Thursday evenings feature ‘live jazz & oysters’, with a weekly offering of three varieties of fresh-shucked raw oysters alongside jazz musician Ryan Cross & Friends. Fridays and Saturdays evenings are dedicated to distinct creations from Executive Chef Sammy Monsour. Specialties include marinated cauliflower romanesco salad, dungeness crab hushpuppies, spectacular seafood gumbo and ridiculously good fried chicken and biscuits. And of course you can count on beignets that take you straight to The Big Easy, finished with powdered sugar and an addictive bananas foster dulce de leche.

Proper Dining Hall’s lounge-style setup goes hand in hand with craft cocktails. Beverage Director Kassady Wiggins has developed an intriguing list that integrates beet syrup, frozen watermelon balls and lavender betters among other fun additives.


The Preux & Proper Proper Dining Hall is open 6 – midnight Thu, Fri – Sat 5:30 – midnight Fri – Sat, and 4 – 9 Sunday. For more information, visit PruexandProper.com.