Temecula! It's not even - Fresno! January 2, 2011

Well, it's not a PG-rated quote from a non-PG rated movie called The Goods.  And I want this to be a family-friendly blog; so I'll keep those quotes to a minimum.  B's mom Cyndi invited us to have a family brunch, along with B's sister and brother-in-law Michelle and Jerry; @ Taps, a brewpub\restaurant, which is in the Promenade Mall in Corona area called Dos Lagos.  It's a beautiful shopping area; with top-notch stores.  It's practically empty at 11am; which is a shame, mainly because of the economy, and being the second day of the year, on a holiday weekend.  The second picture is of me and B today in front of the large gingerbread house inside Taps, in front of the dessert buffet line.  Inside the house also had a christmas tree.  And if you can see closer, that's Santa Claus with his boots stuck in the chimney.  I also noticed that some of the gummi bears were eaten out.  Probably some kids thought they were part of the buffet.     

We didn't bring Tico this time; but here's a picture of B last summer with him, after another get-together with B's family.  The last time we went there, we stayed at the patio area, and tied Tico on the other side of the patio.  But it was a busy weekend, and they had an art fair just in front of the restaurant.  One of the merchants complained about us, because she felt that people didn't want to come to her table, which was about 8-10 feet from where Tico was tied.  Tico is a scary-looking dog; so some people did get startled to see him when they turned the corner.  They get startled, but they never complained.  The fair vendor "believed" that she was not getting business because of Tico, or so she says.  But he never barked, and only barked once he saw me coming.  So to avoid that mess again, we decided to leave him at home this time around.  I would love to take him again, but I didn't want to inconvenience Taps and B's family once again because of some fair vendor who does not know a thing about dogs. 

Taps have Sunday brunches for about $30, which includes crab legs, and smoked salmon - yum.  And endless mimosas.  Dos Lagos, even being over an hour away from LA, is worth the drive.  Their main attraction is a man-made river with bridge that made you look like you are walking on water.  But the mall itself offers very good shop selections in one place, like Bebe's, American Eagle, Victoria's Secret, Loft, White House/Black Market, and then there's RA Sushi, Wood Ranch Bar and Grill, and TGI Friday's.  It's a few minutes north of Temecula, which is a wine region.  It would be nice to own a weekend home in Temecula; because I strongly believe that it will boom eventually like the Napa area did, all it will take is a great wine to come out of that region; and it will grow from there. 

My friend Mai and I visited Temecula in the Spring of 2008, and we checked out Mount Palomar and Wiens.  We originally went there for a day of spa at the Glen Ivy, which lets you enjoy their pool and jacuzzi, etc. for a $50 admission.  The spa also have mud baths, and they offered massage services.  We then checked out The Yard House at night, another microbrewery in Tyler Mall in Riverside, which is at the intersection of the 15 and 91, just east of the 15 freeway.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.  The hotel is clean, brand-new, pretty large-sized room, nicely furnished; and I love Holiday Inn because they too, allowed large dogs.  There will definitely be a weekend trip forthcoming for the boys and I; to enjoy an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn, a few beer at Taps or Yard House, and wine at the local wineries.  And maybe a romantic spa day at the Glen Ivy with B this time around.

http://www.temeculawines.org/wineries-vineyards/
http://www.promenadeshopsatdoslagos.com/
http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/corona/corca/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=mdpr-_-citysearch-_-ex-_-corca