Even with gigs, he finds ways to relax

The actor has played Dr. Joe Scanlon on “Port Charles,” Lucifer on “Xena: Warrior Princess” and most recently Det. Santiago on NBC’s “Hunter.” Mendoza’s latest real-life role, however, is Zeus, lead singer for the group simpleworld, which just released its first CD. While currently busy performing around town, including a gig at the Viper Room Saturday night, Mendoza still finds time to unwind around L.A. and farther south with family and friends.

Grand Havana

I do a lot performing on the weekends, but there is still a lot of time for relaxing. Every once in a while I’ll drop in at the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills and have a cigar. I recently got wind of it. A lot of celebrities go there. It’s very cool. You lounge around, and they serve sushi. It’s very relaxing. It takes you away from the craziness of L.A.

Sinatra supper

I like to take my wife out to dinner to one of our favorite places in L.A. called Frankie’s Supper Club on Melrose. It’s run by Frankie -- he’s always there -- and his wife and family. They always have Frank Sinatra playing. It’s a really classy, cool, small place. They have really good food -- the calamari and shrimp diablo are terrific. They always treat you well in there.

South of L.A.

We’re on hiatus from “Hunter” right now, which we shot in San Diego for about seven weeks. It’s a beautiful city. Very hip. You can go to the Gaslamp District and hear a lot of great music; eat at some great restaurants. I go down to San Diego a lot because our first rehearsal space was down there. Our bass player runs a steel company in San Diego, so we have this huge warehouse space where we can practice. It’s right on the border, in Chula Vista. The back fence of his factory is literally on the border. It’s kind of bittersweet for me to see it because I was born in Mexico and came across to Phoenix with my parents.

Beach getaway

I like to go down to this unassuming resort called Las Rocas in Ensenada just to get away. That’s where I proposed to my wife. It’s between Rosarita and Ensenada. We’ll just have some margaritas, walk on the beach and enjoy each other’s company. There’s a lot of great art down there. Sometimes we come back with a lot of stuff.

Family affair

On Saturdays I get up and do yoga at home and make pancakes for my wife and son. Then we’ll go off to my son’s Little League game and then treat ourselves to a Fatburger.

The band will have a simple rehearsal later on, and afterward we will cap it with margaritas with family and friends at El Compadre on Sunset. They have a patio in the back. It has a great atmosphere. Sometimes they’ll have a nice trio of mariachis playing.

Sunday, Sunday

Sunday is Malibu day. I love hiking at Zuma. It’s just such a beautiful place. It’s an important part of my routine. I love the sound and smell of the ocean. Then I’ll take my son to an afternoon Dodgers game if they’re in town. Often we’ll end the day with game night at our house and my wife’s tortilla soup.

-- Lisa Boone