Yes, Virginia, The Sycamore Inn does have a Night Life, and a Sunday Brunch too.

I have written about the History of the Sycamore Inn but never about the Inn itself, the fantastic food and special events that make the Sycamore Inn the most unique restaurant venue in the Inland Empire.

For instance, the Inn is open on Thanksgiving day for a traditional Thanksgiving Meal with all the trimmings, live entertainment, and reservations are a must....The menu is fresh Diestel Free Range Turkey, with Cesar salad or minestronie soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, candied yams, cranberry relish and pumpkin pie.....They start serving at 11: am, and as I mentioned, reservations are a must..... Also featured is Filet Mignon, Prime Rib and Fresh Salmon......I would call now (Oct) now for reservations!

But coming up this month on Halloween night, is the famous Halloween Mystery Murder Night....Seating starts at 6:pm and the show and dinner start at 7.....The menu is a secret, and the cost is $50.00 per person....Make reservations early because this event always sells out.

The Inn also has a Prime Time Wine Bar that is open from 5 to 7: pm....They have live music visa a piano singer and later on dancing has been known to occur if the crowd so demands, which seems to be every night thru the week.

The Inn has several rooms that can be reserved for any type of event....The Grand Porch of the Sycamore Inn provides a view of historic Route 66 and the old Sycamore Grove.....A lot of this grove will be lost due to development in the next few months.....But The Porch provides a perfect place to wait for friends, have drinks, or just to reflect on the rich history of "Bear Gulch" which surrounds the Inn.

As you enter the Sycamore Inn you first come thru the Fireplace Lounge....The entry to the Inn provides a warm and rich setting for enjoying drinks with friends or dining by the rustic original rock fireplace.....This is where the Piano Bar is located so don't be surprised if you are a serenaded by the classic vocals of the live entertainment for that night.

The Main Dining Room.....The elegance of the original dining room has been enhanced by remodeling completed in 2002 by the new owners.....They retained the Inn's favored high-backed chairs and long tables so you can relax with drinks while you wait for your food to arrive.

The Cucamonga Room is located off of the Main Dining Room.....This room features historic photos of the "Glory Days" of the old Cucamonga wine district....This is a cozy little room with a fireplace for those nights that the winter chill sets in and is just right for small groups up to 25 people.

The Flower Room offers a special elegance for private meetings, cocktail parties, special family events, or any occasion that requires an intimate ambiance......Gilded mirrors, chandeliers and lace curtains grace this lovely room.....This is one of the nicest special rooms I have ever seen in any restaurant setting.....The Sycamore Inn makes sure your every whim is catered to with over 5 waitresses and waiters who are at your every beck and call....The Flower Room seats up to 30 guests.

The Venetian Room Comes in a close second to the Flower room......The gracious ambiance of old Venice lends a special touch to any event in this room........The focal point of the room is the magnificent Murano glass chandelier, imported from Venice that graces this rich, elegant room.........Antique mirrors, elegantly upholstered chairs, and old paintings add to the richness of this special dining ambiance.......This lovely room, seating up to 40 guests, is a perfect setting for wedding rehearsal dinners, small wedding receptions, anniversary parties, or any party where the guests request a special ambiance..

The Grove Room is located on the Inn's lower level, the Grove Room provides a separate entrance, convenient parking and restrooms, and can accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated dinner or reception......A rustic stone fireplace and full-service bar are special features......The Grove Room is also a perfect place for stand-up cocktail parties and meetings of up to 120 guests.....We ate Thanksgiving dinner several times in this room, and I think we ate here several times for family gatherings during the Sunday Brunch.....Back then it was about $25.00 per person and was quite a feast to be hold and very good.

The Board Room, with its own exterior entrance and private bar, is the perfect locale for meetings, small business events, and private dinners..........The Board Room can accommodate up to 20 guests.

New Owners Chuck and Linda Keagle, long-time Inland Empire owners, have repaired, relandscaped, and updated the majestic old building seeking out old photos from local residents, libraries and other sources......Continuing the long tradition of hospitality and good food, excellent service, and a welcoming ambiance, the new Sycamore Inn honors its roots and begins building new traditions.

If you have never thought of the Sycamore Inn as a night spot, and you are looking for a place that has fine 5 star meals, a rich community history and is both relaxing and enjoyable, I suggest your visit the Sycamore Inn....One of the few truly great restaurants of the Inland Empire.

Gary Hall, the ghostpainter