Entertainers Jeff Vance and Michael Mastromatteo are center stage Nov. 12 in front of a full house. Audience members participate in their act, as well as request songs. / photo by Jakeh Landrum

by Samantha Sincock
photography by Jakeh Landrum

The smell of liquor rises from the sticky black floor. The air hovering around the large group of bystanders is close and hot. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” making every woman sigh, is being pounded through the worn ivory keys. It is nights like these when visitors and regulars gather to put bread in the piano man’s jar.

By day, the cherry red booths are shined to perfection and tables polished until you can see your own reflection. Every light bulb is screwed into place and liquor returned to rightful shelfs. The stage is reconfigured to its original form. The dueling masterpieces face each other like a western standoff, and the percussion and string accents adorn the remaining parts of the scene. But by night, a show unlike any other will unveil nostalgic music and adventurous games to the evening’s lively guests at this frequented club.

Behind the keys

Piano Piano’s dueling night bar in Claremont has entertained thousands for more than two years since its November 2008 opening. Every Wednesday through Saturday, the night venue musicians serenade with their musical selections and vibrant performances all comers, from Bucco de Peppo employees just off the job, to couples on a date, to college students looking for an entertainment ride away from the books. The pianos create a noise that rumbles your insides as they yell back and forth throughout the evening. The duelers throw comments at each other as they bend backwards, play one handed or footed and bring each arrangement to life. But the pianists are not long restricted to their benches; they randomly jump off the keys and into the drum set or strap on a guitar as if they were acrobats in a circus.

It is not uncommon for a female patron to sit next to Ryan Bueter or “Ryan The Piano Guy” as he melodically woos her with a comical song. And individuals are pulled up on stage to participate in dance and charades. “I’ve been playing here since November of ’08, day one, and I love every night,” exclaims Ryan, one of the entertainment hosts for the venue. With more than 25 years of musicianship and entertainment under his belt, Ryan makes every night seem more like a Vegas show than a small town bar. “The night is a complete show, burst full of entertainment and musical comedy,” he says. “We’re are not just about pianos; the night is way worth the money and much more.”

As for entertainment, the staff knows how to make the evening fun for everyone—from those who want to join to the people watchers who sit back, relax and take in the crazed antics. “We keep upping the ante on the show, bringing in new, talented entertainers to keep Piano Piano rockin’ for years to come,” explains outlet manager Jeff Clark. During the evening, one will see waiter/performer Shaun Taper singing hip hop arrangements to the crowd. If you catch him by the arm during the night, he will let you pick one of the numbers—and there are dozens on the list. Susan Erwin, co- entertainment director, and Ana Guigui, Susan’s sidekick, take song requests to new heights with their modern renditions and clever lyrical transformations. The two are often found badgering a 21st birthday or local bachelorette party. “As a performer, it is not about ‘me’; it is about the crowd,” says Susan. “From the bar to the door, we are all looking for a good time, and, if you are not having fun, something is wrong.”

The dueling night bar makes the old, young, fresh and mature feel right at home. “I have been coming here for a year, and the act never disappoints,” says regular Robbie Rugg, from Upland. Robbie frequents this rocking hole in the wall whenever he can get a group together. “I use any excuse to come here; the liquor is top notch, and the company is excellent. I love how it’s all in my backyard town.”

Like Robbie, many come to rehabilitate and wind down after a long work week. “It is comfortable and clean, unlike most clubs out there,” says Dani Woods, of Claremont. “I feel sophisticated as I sip on my martini and enjoy the pianos’ tunes.” Although the room is crammed with people, one never feels cramped or invaded. The flaming booths and dim lighting in the blackened room transports you to an old jazz club feel from the roaring ‘20s.

As for music, anything from Carry Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” can be heard playing on the stage. “We are really up to date on music in a more ‘modern’ sort of way then other clubs,” says Ryan. While the piano may sound like a carnival, the people in the room add to the rhyme by singing along to their treasured songs. “We rock it out pretty hard at our bar and try not to just make it a sing-a-long event,” says Ryan. “Our show is based on the crowd, and it’s what we live for.”

On with the show

Although this smashing club is only open a select number of nights, “we can open this baby up any night of the week we aren’t already running and have private parties,” says Ryan. Every Thursday is college night. Deals abound on drinks and appetizers. On Wednesdays, Rock Star Karaoke night performers take the stage. Game? The musicians toss you a sheet of music, and you sing to the pianos’ tune. More? Individuals are also encouraged to bring instruments. “Local” jam sessions breakout spontaneously.

Depending on the night you decide to head down to this rock hopping club, drinks can range from $2 to $7, and Piano Piano knows how to mix a good cocktail. The bartenders uniquely craft each and every drink to perfection. If you are hungry, there is no need to wait until after the party. From cheesy garlic fries to Yoko Ono Vegetarian pizzas, chef Jose crafts dishes that make you wanting more. As far as a cover charge, do not expect to pay any on Wednesday or Thursday nights, and, as long as you get there before 8 p.m. the other nights, it is $5 per head.

Piano Piano has much planned for its visitors. Holidays and special occasions trigger the wildest tune parties. Special guest appearances are upcoming: consider Valentine’s or St. Patrick’s celebrations; the entertainment is downtown. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, so come on down to drink, sing and have fun,” exclaims Jeff. A price cannot be put on memories and good entertainment (even if it is starring you), and if you get to Piano Piano at the right time, you will not have to.

Teasing a bridal party with clever lyrical arrangements, co-entertainment director Susan Irwin wakes up the night crowd with comical tunes and dramatic skits on her “keytar.” As the night progresses, Susan and fellow performer Mark Michaels play a variety of music, from classic rock to modern pop, take requests and accompany audience members as they attempt karaoke. / photo by Jakeh Landrum

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Samantha Sincock, Editor in Chief

I have always had a love for the seasons. Fall for me recalls vacations spent in Pennsylvania where the trees flushed in ambers and reds, and their fallen leaves crunched loudly beneath my feet. Spring springs me forward to the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., where the clouds of cherry blossoms filled the air with a pink rain-like hue that awed everyone. Winter evenings in Indiana bring chilled memories of frost that seemed to bite at my cheeks and nose. Splashes of summer days at Grandma’s Upland house combined pool-crazed antics and fresh lemonade that cooled the blistering California heat.

Notice how my memories are in the past tense. While La Verne’s campus and charming town have anchored me for many seasons, all I can remember is school. I cannot help but ask, when will I have time to sit back and smell the flowers?

My educational journey has been marked with highs and lows, with memories well cherished and those better off forgotten. Slowly, through classes (and stress) acquired, the days bled into weeks and then into months. Everything became a mission to graduate, to get to the end of the long and twisted road of knowledge. All of the pleasures in life seemed to fade away into a chaotic riptide of school and work. I seemed to be working all day, everyday, and while most people may have envied my Disneyland job, the magic of Mickey Mouse did not make it easier to have a full schedule. I was no longer able to use drumming as an outlet; in fact, for now, music has been erased from my life. I barely have time to read, a pleasured pastime that has become a luxury during my college years. Time is continuously flowing, and I feel as if something is missing. Perhaps what has disappeared is the simple joys of life and a sense of control.

I remember when my life was simple, in the days I label “the wonder years of childhood.” Those were the days when a walk to the candy shop in downtown Butler, Pa., was the most work I had to do, and deciding which soda to have mixed behind the bar was a difficult decision. Now, my work is 30 plus hours a week to pay for the University’s high tuition, and the tough decisions in life are whether to gain an internship or take a philosophy class. How will I get a job in this economy? What will become of my dreamed up future? These are philosophical questions, indeed.

At age 6, when I first began reading, the adventures and thrills of literature captivated me. I looked up every word I did not understand and processed passages from the tales I loved. I could see the writers’ worlds—and imagined flying through the Neverland sky with Peter Pan, fighting with Romeo for love and truth and wading down the Mississippi River with Huckleberry Finn. Soon, I wanted to be those authors who took me on travels through time and to distant lands. I wanted to write, to open a vein and bleed words to a world that needed imagination. I realize now this is what I have spent all these years working toward. This is what lies beyond school.

Spring is coming. The flowers will soon greet the sun’s warm rays. La Verne’s streets will regain their famous tree canopy. There will be a ceremony in May, one that opens the cover to a new chapter in my life; one that will take me back to nature, to the personal and raw beauty of writing.

Samantha Sincock, Editor-in-Chief

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For vintners, wine making is an art form that is passed down from generation to generation. It is a California tradition, and in Rancho Cucamonga, vineyards were a prominent feature for more than 150 years.

The Sycamore Inn cherishes and honors this historical tradition through its vast collection of wines, and the great care taken in selection. It is the history of the grapes that makes wine so special to the community. Cucamonga began its wine traditions in 1838 when the first grapes were planted. Then, local farmer and prominent pioneer John Reign decided to change from sheep to agriculture and planted 125,000 grape vines. His choice was an excellent match with the latitude and ample sun. The grapes grew to a prize-winning size and taste, perfect for making wine. By 1917, Secundo Guasti had the largest vineyard in the world, spanning more than 50,000 grape-growing acres. Hundreds of individuals came to the area to take part in the “gold mine” in farming, and, by the early 1920s, Cucamonga produced more wine than any other region in California.

Today, few vines remain. Many of the wines housed at the Sycamore come from the Joseph Filippi Winery, which is one of the last original Cucamonga vineyards. Sycamore Inn co-owner Linda Keagle feels that much of the Inn’s celebrated history comes from the vino. “Many of the wines we house haven’t changed from the days when vineyards and orange groves filled every corner of this land. The Filippi Winery has been in business with this building for many years, and we are very happy to continue that tradition.” Sadly, only history books tell the tales of old. “There was once this wonderful vineyard off Haven Avenue that was famous for Zinfandel, but when the owner passed away, the family had to sell it for housing lots,” remembers Linda. “Cucamonga became a sprawl of affordable housing in the late ‘70s, and when the developers rushed in they destroyed a lot of the city’s history.”

It is the Sycamore Inn’s strong traditions of the old valley that keeps most of the customers coming back. Co-owner Chuck Keagle takes care in keeping the wine list filled with current well known wines. More than 40 wines by the glass are available. “Chuck loves his wine and travels far to try different types to ensure our customers have the best to choose from,” says Linda. “We hold traditional wine tastings regularly, and it brings many new faces to the restaurant. It is through places like the Inn that people can reconnect with the older times and make new traditions of their own.”

Also see the companion story, “Preserving forgotten times.”

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Sycamore Inn owners Chuck and Linda Keagle highlight Rancho Cucamonga’s wine history to educate and entertain visitors at their restaurant on historic Route 66. The couple are founding owners of the Cask n’ Cleaver restaurants and of the Lord Charlie’s restaurant. / photo by Michael D. Martinez

by Samantha Sincock
photography by Michael D. Martinez

An old Inn sits distinguished under the moonlight beside historic Route 66. Sycamore trees sway in the front. A vintage neon sign that beckons one back in time glows with the words: “The Sycamore Inn, famous hospitality since 1848.” Inside, the bar and dining rooms bustle with the Friday night crowd. Servers glide between tables with finesse to the sounds of wine glasses toasting to celebration. To its customers, the Sycamore Inn is more than a restaurant; it serves as one of the last treasures of Southern California’s wine country.

Such was the setting for romance 46 years ago when a couple first entered the lavish dining room. “My husband and I came here on our very first date in 1964. I can remember sitting at the little table for two next to the kitchen, a place they put the customers of lesser importance, I thought at the time,” remembers co-owner Linda Keagle.

It was not until she and husband Chuck, a 1957 La Verne Bonita High School graduate, came to own the restaurant in early 2001 that they discovered Marilyn Monroe sat at that very spot to dine and hide away from the crowds. Marilyn would still recognize the spot. The lavish dining room has not dramatically changed from the days when glamorous movie stars visited the upscale getaway. In fact, the Inn has fed many well-known faces in the entertainment world throughout the years. Kevin Costner held a banquet at the restaurant at the beginning of this year and famous racers from the local speedway frequent the niche throughout the season. “I find that famous people enjoy their anonymity, and we respect their privacy,” says Linda.

While the hospitable restaurant attracts those who live in the spotlight, the Inn holds an important place in the hearts of those who are natives. Customers come to enjoy the rich atmosphere comprised of cherry wood paneling and warm, yellow walls, which glow under the glass chandeliers and mosaic lamps. “One of the things we always hear from our customers is that they love stepping back in time when they are here,” says Linda. “Chuck and I personally picked the yellow walls to give a regal feel to the place, to take you into a dining room resembling one from an expensive hotel.”

The Inn gets a face-lift

But the Inn was not always a diamond in the rough. Before the Keagles’ care, it had lost much of the fervor that made it a sought after treasure just a few decades prior. The Hinrichsen family members, who became the Inn’s keepers in 1939, held the building in high regard during their 50 years of care, acquiring an esteemed reputation in the premiere restaurant business. Sadly, after the family retired in the late 1980s, the Inn fell into disrepair for about a decade under new ownership. Returning a couple decades later to find their once prized restaurant uncared for, the Hindrichsens decided to reclaim the Sycamore in hopes of undoing the neglect. “The family came to Chuck and me and asked us if we had any hope in repairing it to the grandeur that it once held under Vern Hindrichsen,” says Linda. “We quickly accepted the offer, and, although it has been a long journey, we have loved every bit of it.”

The Inn still holds many of the same features it acquired in 1921 when local citrus rancher John Klusman tore down the original building and built the Sycamore Hotel, which is the current establishment. When one heaves open the engraved wooden door, her eyes first fall on cherry red booths encompassing a turn of the century cobblestone fireplace. The mantelpiece is adorned with mismatched wine bottles, collected over many years of celebration toasting. A worn wooden bar, a favorite to locals, emits the feel of casual saloon meets fine dining. Throughout the main dining room are framed black and white pictures of customers and employees the Inn has hosted through the years, allowing guests to see the history of the once storied wine producing area.

The Sycamore’s customers have grown to adore the Inn’s features. “If we ever took out the red chairs in the dining room, people would revolt; they love to sink back in them,” chuckles Linda. Every inch of detailed wallpaper and the many assorted nick-knacks makes the Inn a special place. “I absolutely love the old trinkets and décor throughout that building, I feel like I am visiting a place right out of one of those old black and white movies,” remarks guest Jewel Higgins of Alta Loma. When bringing life back to the Inn, the Keagles decided to add little touches of yesteryear to really take people on a trip down memory lane. “I found a suitcase filled with many items from the 1960s. I decided to clean a few hats I found and then hung them on the bear statue in the front,” says Linda.

Many of the employees joke that because of the history and age of the Inn, the old building is haunted, each room having a ghost that suits the themed enclosure. “The Venetian room has a ghost; he must be Italian because you can smell cigar smoke in the room at random,” says executive chef and managing partner Louis Alvarez. With the long history of the Inn, many of the rooms come with their own tale of those who once walked the long hallways. “The Viking room used to be where men in the 1940s came to play cards, drink moonshine and partake in nefarious activities,” relates Linda.

Wine beginnings

Although the Sycamore is notable for its history and enriching décor, the real prize is hidden within the vast wine collection. Linda and Chuck have continued the collection Vern Hindrichsen began and are passionate in upholding the expensive and well known wines the Inn features. The basement holds four wine cellars, all cared for with pride by Chuck. One of the cellars holds the University of La Verne’s vintage collection and is available for alumni and current students to enjoy. But do not be fooled, for the collection holds some of the most expensive wines in the restaurant and is “kept under the table” and not disclosed when it comes to customers purchasing high-priced aged spirits. A man by the name of L. Well Averbach donated the high priced collection to the University. President Steve Morgan first placed the valuable collection under the Hindrichsen family’s care. The Keagles continue to protect the rare wines. “We’ve got Morgan’s secret stash right down there,” grins Chuck Keagle, pointing to the basement. “It is a truly amazing collection, and we guard it with our life.” The wine is liquid art. Individual bottle value is appraised from the hundreds to the multi-thousands of dollars.

While the University’s president enjoys the Inn, so do many others who feel it serves as a highlight for the city itself. Rancho Cucamonga has a great respect for its agricultural history and reflects this with the decoration of grape vines and the restoration of historical wineries. “The Inn used to be a place for ranchers and wine makers, for the important families of the time to hang out and enjoy simple pleasures, and I think the city of Rancho Cucamonga wishes to honor that,” says Linda. “The local chamber [and City Council] will have events here from time to time; they love coming to a place where they can really reconnect with the past.”

Although praised for its vast variety of wine, the Sycamore also offers a menu that will blow the taste buds off any food critic and is offered at a price even a college student can afford. Just walk into the bar on a weekend night for happy hour and enjoy a $16 filet mignon. Or, if one is in the mood for something a bit sweeter, dive into the delectable sycamore soufflé served with whipped cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar that will melt right in one’s mouth. The dining room entrées do, however, come at a higher price. Pan-seared herb roasted chicken comes to a total of $20, and an Australian lobster tail dinner can cost $48. Fine dining comes with a price, but the atmosphere and memories make it all worthwhile. If you are in the mood for an elegant feast or just want to simply indulge in an delightful dessert and wine, the soft jazz, harmonized with the murmurs of conversation, will make for a way to wind down after a hard day.

The Keagles frequently sit at the bar and enjoy a meal with their customers. Linda chats casually with the staff and gives a warm smile and nod to entering guests. Chuck can be seen conversing with regulars or just talking with those who are new, welcoming them into the warm ambiance. “The people who work here, my husband and I, we consider it a treasure that has been entrusted to us,” explains Linda. “It’s our turn to keep for it.”

Also see the companion story, “From vineyards to villages.”

A must-stop for 1848 stage coach travelers, the Sycamore Inn now brings in patrons of a new era but retains memories and holds historical ambiance. / photo by Michael D. Martinez

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