La Calavera's Spot's of The Empire: part one

La Calavera knows the I.E. is no L.A. and Dios forbid it ever becomes an O.C. (Santa Ana excluded of course, La Calavera loves Santa Ana). But this Imperio does have its chill hang-out spots. Now, keep in mind that La Calavera enjoys independent eclectic joints.

Primero: Moreno Valley

Though this is a great ciudad, it still has a lot of growing up to do. There are a few spots here that are of interest.

Una tasa de café por favor! (One cup of coffee please!)

Starbucks used to be a favorite place of mine but now this Java House Giant has spread around the city like some kind of medieval plague. There’s one in every @#$* corner. I’ll leave that for faux Hipster’s, Junior College Students, and trendy 40 something’s. There are two java joints, though, that La Calavera enjoys.

BACK TO THE GRIND
If you like mod-art paintings of Eric Clapton, Billie Holiday, Bob Marley, and enjoy sitting on couches that look like they were props taken from Morpheus’s apartment in the first Matrix pelicula, then you’ll enjoy the atmosphere at Back to the Grind; located on the corner of Lasalle and Iris. Back to the Grind is a small franchise started back in 96’ with a few locations throughout the Empire. Only thing that bugs me is that even though the interior structure of the buildings might be different the themes are exactly the same. It’s got good music pumping through the speakers and you have your usual selection of descent coffee drinks (La Calavera believes that Starbucks has accustomed him to overly sweetened coffee beverages).

THE COFFEE GRINDER
Though not much in terms of exterior looks, La Calavera loves The Coffee Grinder located on Sunnymead blvd. This place is glued right onto the side of a Remax realty office and is right across from the edificio where they keep los muertos (the mortuary). Inside, you might find a really nice hombre behind the counter that looks like a German Santa Clause. The walls are lined with works from local artists: ranging from pencil drawings to paintings to black and white photos. On certain days you can sit in on a poetry reading or listen to a local musician. It’s got a great vibe, excellent coffee, and good music by jazz greats coming through the speakers. Though it might be small, and a bit difficult to locate, La Calavera highly recommends it.

Donde esta mi tequila!?!

La Calavera drinks. Give him a cold dark beer, a shot of tequila, or a martini and he’ll be as happy as a nino in front of a piñata! Sadly, there are no eclectic joints, no lounges, no bars here to speak of. But there are a few places where one, how you say. . .can wet their whistle.

P.H. WOODS
On Alessandro Blvd we have P.H. Woods restaurant. This place brew’s its own beer along with having domestic and import on tap. Their seasonal beer taste’s great and will hit you pretty good. The bartenders are friendly and the bar counter has some pretty cool drawings of 40’s and 50’s pin-up girls and other drawings of what one would see painted on the side of WWII fighter planes.

MATSURI’S
Matsuri’s is located on Alessandro Blvd at the Longs Shopping Plaza. Though mainly a sushi restaurant, it does serve up some drinks. It’s very quaint with authentic traditional Japanese décor. You can order up some warm saki or a cold bottle of Asahi. Jimmy the sushi bartender is one of the coolest guys La Calavera knows. He looks and dresses like he’s a member of Radiohead. What La Calavera loves about this place is that when you go in you feel like you’ve transported to some other part of the world and you forget you’re actually in some crappy looking plaza.

BIG GUY’S PIZZA AND PASTA
O.k. dammit, I’m really, as the gringo’s say, “scratching the bottom of the barrel” with this one. It’s just that La Calavera really loves the pizza here. As far as drinks go, it’s you’re typical hometown pizza and beer joint where all your “bro’s” can hang out and “watch the game” while drinking a Budweiser. La Calavera really isn’t into sports all that much.

That’s as close to eclectic and independent as you’ll get when it comes to cantinas. From then on you have the usual commercial spots like Hooters, B.J’s Brewery, Outback Steak house, Chili’s, Alcapulco’s, etc. . . .

So Amigo/Amiga, those are some of the spots La Calavera frequents while in Moreno Valley. If you ever happen to be visiting this ciudad and are looking for something to do, check them out. Next Part: Riverside.

Hasta La Proxima ves,

La Calavera #42