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The new Treehouse Lounge and Grill, at 1319 Montana Ave., allows locals to do just what their slogan boasts - "hide out somewhere different." With a fully stocked bar and diverse menu, El Pasoans have a new place where they can eat in a relaxed, yet club-like ambiance.
"A lot of places are either loud night clubs or a hole in the wall bar," said owner Gilbert Jorgenson. "There is no place for normal people to just come and have a good time, the crowd here is relaxed, the atmosphere is not fancy, yet not too casual either."
The restaurant, which started serving delicious drinks and dinners in January, opened out of pure opportunity. Jorgenson was offered the space by his landlord after the previous restaurant occupying the building closed down.
"We've been in the space upstairs for three years with our media company Red Sky Media," Jorgenson said. "It was a great opportunity staring us in the face, so we went in and hit a home run."
Although Jorgenson doesn't have experience in the food industry, he claims the process has been fairly easy. They hired an accomplished staff, including an ex-Café Central chef, mixed in some hard work and believe that things have gone well for them up to this point.
The atmosphere is casual but the mix-matched decorations do not accurately describe the restaurant's identity. The St. Patrick decorations on the lamp fixtures, crooked mirrors and plain tables don't match the place's lively personality.
However, the Treehouse is most noted for their fully stocked bar and drink specials. With pint beers costing $3.50, 24 oz. beers at $5.75 (including draft), domestic and imported beers, the bar will quench anyone's thirst.
One of the most ordered drinks at the Treehouse is their signature Treehouse drink. Although it is a secret recipe, the mixed drink is described as being green, girly and mild. But girly doesn't mean the men won't enjoy it as well.
"One of our busiest times is happy hour which is from 4 to 6 p.m.," Jorgenson said. "We have 35-cent wings and $2 well drinks, which are the cheaper, top-shelf stuff."
While enjoying one of the bar's specialty drinks, take a look at their extensive menu. The appetizers, soups, sandwiches, entrées, healthy options, sides and desserts are sure to satisfy anyone's hunger.
The most popular dishes on the menu include the bacon-wrapped shrimp, the cheese steak and rib eye steak.
However, I wasn't impressed at all after ordering the bacon-wrapped shrimp. Although the presentation was attractive, the flavors were too bland.
The shrimp was over cooked and not well spiced. The penne pasta tasted like it had barely, if any, sauce on it and the smell of the bacon was overwhelming.
A good recommendation is ordering the panini with basil, roma tomatoes and mozzarella on whole grain white bread. For one dollar more, you can add turkey. It has all the elements that make an excellent panini. Although a bit burned, it was crunchy, cheesy and savory. This dish, with a side order of your choice and drink is great for a cool, spring afternoon.
The best thing about the Treehouse is that you get good drinks, fair food and the night scene.
"We have karaoke nights Wednesdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.," Jorgenson said. "We have whatever anybody wants to hear, from Bon Jovi to Garth Brooks."
The Treehouse also provides catering and space for private parties. It isn't open Sundays and prices range from $2.69 to $16.49.
Stephanie Soto may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.
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