Roberto in La Cruz; inspiring smiles through food and friendship!
My first trip to Roberto’s was with my father-in-law on the last night of his vacation. He asked where we wanted to go, Chris and I were clear… we wanted to go to Roberto’s! We had tried to go so many times and although the restaurant was only closed one night a week, we seemed to arrive on that day, over and over! We were delighted when we made a reservation and indeed they were open!
The view is breathtaking especially as the sun sets, the sky darkens and the twinkly lights around the bay emerge. The view over the entire bay of Banderas is amazing. The food is so great, focusing on fresh seafood. I learned of Roberto’s fajitas when my nephew and niece raved about the beautiful display and abundant tasty options to fill the tortillas.
Chris and I have come to just let Roberto select his favourite items and serve us; we’ve always been pleased. “Riquisimo” as they say in Mexico. Translated that means delicious! Each time he brings us a plate or two of all the best that is on the menu, I highly recommend you go with this strategy!
With great delight I interviewed Roberto Castellon Diaz as the sun was setting over the bay; here’s some of what I learned.
“I always wanted to have a restaurant with a view”. A friend of Roberto’s, who lives in La Cruz and who enjoys his Puerto Vallarta restaurant, suggested he open a restaurant in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. One day Roberto decided to check out this space on the hill. “Every inch I moved up the hill the view got better and better, I knew this was where I wanted to share my food with others”. In October of 2009, Roberto opened Xocolatl by Robertos on the hill with the most divine view of the bay. His specialty is seafood using Mexican spices and chiles that is not picante (hot) only flavorful and aromatic. I can attest to that, Roberto’s Fusion of Mexican Flavors, yum!
Roberto is eager to share his recent improvements with his customers; he’s added colour and new tablecloths, created a new menu, installed new lighting and fans and updated the bathrooms.
The Amigos de La Cruz celebrating everyone returning after the summer months and raising funds for a worthy cause.
When I asked him how La Cruz’ers accepted him he said: “Wonderfully, the people of La Cruz are very nice! They welcomed me; they are just so nice! I am very happy here. People share friendship and show me how much they care”.
Music at Roberto’s
He said his clientele is a combination of locals – both expats and Mexicans, and tourists. Mostly, they are return and word of mouth customers of which he’s very grateful. He’s always honoured when many of his customers from Puerto Vallarta drive all the way to La Cruz to visit him and enjoy his food.
Birthday party on Roberto’s Terrace
After opening in La Cruz, Roberto closed his location in Vallarta to dedicate his time to this location. Years later, however; the people spoke and convinced Roberto to open again in Puerto Vallarta. Roberto’s is back in old town since mid December 2014. You can on enjoy at Basilio Badillo 283, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, +52 322 222 6210.
“I want my place
When I asked Roberto what La Cruz locals might not know about him, his immediate answer was “That I’m married with children and that is my favourite part of my life”. Then he proceeded to share with me what led him to Mexico and ultimately to La Cruz.
Roberto was born in Tijuana and raised in San Diego, he’s a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States. His mother was born in Ameca, in the Jalisco State of Mexico, a little town in the hills where her family grew and sold peaches. He was going to San Diego State University for fashion design, merchandising and window display when on spring break, the year he was twenty-one, Roberto came to Puerto Vallarta on vacation and never left. “I love it here” Roberto told me. His family wasn’t thrilled with his choice and instigated tough-love; if he stayed in Mexico he was on his own financially! He said he went to Elset restaurant looking for work telling them, “You don’t have to pay me, just feed me I’m hungry.”
Roberto started out as a busboy and moved up to waiter, he revealed to me that he was super crazy, in a good way. He said he grew his original section of four tables by putting a chain around ‘his exclusive customer area’. People outside that area asked if his area was special, he said yes and serviced the heck out those he waited on. More and more people wanted to be served by Roberto in his exclusive section. His section grew, he got more and greater tips and he considered himself a success and loved his job. He stayed at Elset for seven years and is very appreciative for his time there.
He spent the next few years designing original hand painted clothes for men. His creations were unique; no palm trees or parrots, working with various shades of colour that people loved. He then opened three stores called O’men, drawing on his past experience of merchandising and doing window displays for huge stores in the US. After a total of ten years in Puerto Vallarta Roberto realized he wanted to return to the restaurant business and closed his stores. Roberto’s creative side is now expressed through his menu and the meals we all love!
Life hasn’t been easy for Roberto. He weathered the economic crisis and the various media onslaughts on the area. One of his children has an illness that had his family move to San Diego so that now he sees them as often as he can but nowhere near as much as he’d like. Through all he maintains a positive person; I asked Roberto what inspires him. “People and their smiles. I love to make them happy, that’s my tip that I share with my family and with God.”
Recently he learned to salsa dance and has given lessons. Learning about Roberto has inspired me on so many levels. He says, “I’m a lucky man because God let me do what I love to do in the restaurant business. I loved being a waiter and a manager at various restaurant’s including Las Palomas and El Torito. His favourite, other than Roberto’s, was Casablanca where there was beautiful music and elegant people.
He’s most proud of his family.
Roberto has a passion for single mothers and would love to have an art or fashion show dedicated to and with funds going to single mothers and their children.
He finished our interview reminding me, with the most beautiful smile on his face, “God is Good!”
You can reserve your table at Roberto’s in La Cruz and enjoy exquisite flavors and a fabulous view by calling 329 295-6080.
https://xocolatllacruz.wordpress.com/
Do you know if Roberto from Xocolat moved his restaurant to another location?
Sadly Roberto, greatly loved in La Cruz, closed the La Cruz restaurant and now only has the one in Puerto Vallarta. Please visit him there.
http://www.robertospv.com/restaurant.html