The Tree House Bar & Grill moves to a new branch of the same tree!

A new chapter opens this weekend in La Cruz as the Tree House Bar and Grill opens in its new location! A continuing story of great love; great people, great music and a great menu. The love story of Alfredo and Marichuy began at a bar and their children grew up in that same bar; which might sound odd, but this bar was a community centre of sorts, a wonderful place to be where everyone loves and supports each other. It all started when Marichuy helped Philo open his bar back in 2001. Although Marichuy and Alfredo met in college their relationship blossomed at Philo’s when Alfredo would visit the bar every weekend so he could be with Marichuy who was usually busy serving customers. A friend who also worked at Philo’s told me “Alfredo sat at the bar, doe-eyed, simply wanting to be near Marichuy so we put him to work!” When Marichuy became pregnant with their first child they reversed roles; Alfredo managed the bar and she looked after the baby, the books and the ‘behind the scenes’ details. They worked with Philo until, sadly, Philo passed away four years ago, and the bar closed. Marichuy and Alfredo then ran the bar at The Octopus Garden calling it “The Tree House Bar”. Now, the entire family is involved in the business; three-year-old Dinah enchants the guests, Bilha fifteen and Leah seventeen help both serving customers and working in the kitchen. Together Marichuy and Alfredo manage the business creating a gathering place we all ‘just want to go to’.

Marichuy told me “We enjoy giving good service. When the people are happy and satisfied, we are thrilled! Our family has a great commitment to stay together, we respect each other; with love we make difficult things seem simple. Our daughters are very committed to work and studies. Their future goals are to be environmental engineers or biologists. For now, they support the family business and enjoy it a lot. The older girls care deeply about the environment supporting cleaning campaigns in the community and recycling at the Tree House Bar & Grill.” Although the Tree House Bar & Grill is Alfredo and my dream, Leah and Bilha are our strongest collaborators to build it, just as we help them achieve their dreams.”

The newly reopened Tree House Bar & Grill is on another branch of the same Huanacaxtle tree, which is over 50 years old, right beside where their bar was for the last four years. Alfredo and Marichuy designed the restaurant/bar respecting rainwater flow to keep the large tree hydrated and nourished. Enjoy Checko Ruiz and his band at the grand opening this Saturday, October 19^th at 7:00 pm.

Their goals are grand yet based on their success I know they’ll meet their vision for the future; “The Tree House Bar & Grill will be considered the best live concert and show and dinner venue in Banderas Bay attracting people of different personalities and nationalities, who have an appreciation for quality music, food, and a family atmosphere.” Upcoming bands include Cheko Ruiz, Zoe & León, Media Luna, Tatewari, US Two, and many more surprises! Contact them for tickets to their Saturday and Monday concerts on their Facebook page. Visit them at Coral 68, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, you’ll be glad you did!

Community spirit.

There are so many people who, out of LOVE for this family, contributed to the relocation of the bar and Marichuy and Alfredo know they are very fortunate to have the support of such generous people. Although many people helped, their appreciation for Nancy Hache and her tree house gang for the mural they created overflows! “¡Muchas gracias a todos!”

Come for the people, enjoy the surroundings, appreciate the mural and the awwwwsomeness of the grand Huanacaxtle tree… then order from the delicious menu which will include the famous Lucido Burrito, BBQ ribs, special ‘show’ menus and a full menu including salads, snacks and main course.

About Marichuy and Alfredo; the growing up years.

Marichuy and Alfredo; “We managed Philo’s Bar since day one and helped pass it on to the new team. Those years gave us many beautiful memories, good friends and fabulous experiences. When the opportunity arrived to create our own bar at the beautiful Octopus’s Garden we were so excited. Having grown up in this town, I love seafood. I loved learning to cook empanadas and many kinds of Mexican food in my father’s restaurant many years ago, which I’m excited to share with others. In our menú we use local ingredients with Mexican flavors. We serve my brother Tono’s famous BBQ ribs as well!”

Marichuy, the youngest of 13 children was born and raised in La Cruz. She grew up cooking and serving others. As noted above it was as she was doing just that, serving others, that she fell in love with Alfredo. They say that what keeps them here is “LOVE… our family, the quiet town, good friends and the beautiful life we have here.”

Alfredo comes from a smaller family with only 2 sisters. One of the benefits of creating their own business he says is “We love supporting our family and friends in the business and serving friends. It feels like a party every night! We serve tourists, expat residents and we’re working hard to serve locals and nationals too. When you enjoy what you do and what you are, life can give you very good surprises. People will see your happiness to serve. On our day off we love to go to the beach. Alfredo and the older girls like to snorkel and dive. Marichuy takes in the sun and Dinah loves playing in the water. We like to hike and ride bikes too.”

On the growth of La Cruz. “We’ve seen many, many changes in La Cruz over the years. It is more open minded and has more of a service attitude. La Cruz is beautiful, with the clean streets and friendly tourists. The children now have more opportunities for study to grow into business people or whatever they choose. The tourists and residents have shown us the world is big with big opportunities. La Cruz has a strong family environment where the community truly care about each other as a family.”

Both have many talents and experience; Alfredo is a marine biologist and used to work another job with the government. Marichuy is an administrator, bookkeeper, waitress, cook and more. They are adoring parents to Leah, Bilha and Dinah.

Alfredo says “There is a doctor of marine biology; his name is Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus. I like what he says: “lo que se conoce se quiere y lo que se quiere se cuida”.

“What you know you love and what you love you will care for”.

Eat drink and be merry at the Treehouse bar; Monday to Saturday 9 am to midnight.

• • Starting in November:Monday and Saturday Concert shows; the best of the best musicians come to La Cruz. Check out the Tree House Bar Facebook Page for details.Tuesday is Burrito Tuesday with the famous Lucido BurritoWednesday is all you can eat ribs and ‘The Music of Décadas’ (the two girls violinist) starting at 7 pm.Thursday ‘The Rentería Brothers’; Cuban and Latino music

    Friday 2×1 BBQ Ribs and Country Music