CALIFORNIA, Md. — La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill, in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to mark the restaurant’s grand opening.
La Vida was opened by 25-year-old Giselle Palacios and 26-year-old Abel Apolonio. The young entrepreneurs from Great Mills built a traditional Mexican menu and offered plenty of seating capable of hosting large parties. The pair transformed the former Plaza Tolteca into a vibrant new restaurant that has already added 15 local jobs to the community.
Palacios said she and Apolonio saw the shuttered restaurant as an opportunity to make a life-changing decision. With both having a family history in restaurant businesses and ownership, she moved quickly to open the new eatery.
“It was just perfect timing for us to come over here,” Palacios said.
Next door to La Vida, car sales associate Eric Leyton watched the restaurant’s refurbishment unfold. He said he may start buying lunch at La Vida for customers who purchase a car from him, and he is already recommending the food to people. Leyton expressed optimism for the young business owners.
“For that age, that’s amazing to see, 25 years old, to open a restaurant, and the way they decorate it, it’s perfect,” Leyton said. “I’ve been coming over here, the renovation is beautiful. They’ve been coming here every day, getting ready.”
The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses with development, promotion, growth and networking. The organization also assisted with Wednesday’s ribbon cutting. Christine Bergmark, CEO and president of the chamber, praised the entrepreneurs’ initiative.
“We’re so excited to have these young professionals opening up a brand-new Mexican restaurant,” Bergmark said. “I don’t know how many 25- and 26-year-olds are out there opening up new restaurants. It’s amazing, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
La Vida has already made a positive impact on the local economy, creating 15 jobs. Emily Lacey, an economic development specialist with the St. Mary’s County Government, said the restaurant’s opening demonstrates the power of determination.
“It really just goes to show what hard work and dedication can get you,” Lacey said. “We’re really excited to have La Vida here.”
She noted that local business owners can also find support through groups like St. Mary’s Young Professionals, which offers networking opportunities and promotes local businesses.
The Whole Experience
In addition to supporting the local job market, La Vida also supported local artist Veronika Neto, who contributed all of the art on the walls throughout the new restaurant. Neto is a Maryland-based artist originally from Germany. Her career in graphic design, illustration and fine art has been seen in New York galleries and was featured in the Leonardtown Art Walk.
Neto designed flowing and dynamic murals that helped make La Vida a bright and welcoming destination in St. Mary’s County. Neto said that Palacios and Apolonio were excited about the murals because they wanted to share a full experience with guests. She said that when she collaborated with La Vida, her inspiration was drawn from their Mexican heritage.
“At La Vida, I wanted to present the Mexican flair in terms of both beauty and food, surrounding the central beautiful woman in a red dress with her sombrero holding a guitar,” Neto said. “From the cacti to the national dahlia flower growing from the surrounding music from the custom-cut wooden guitar, everything I painted is representative of Mexico.”
On The Menu At La Vida
La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill blends Mexican staples with house specialties. The menu features shrimp dishes, ceviche, fajitas and hearty steaks like the Parrillada La Vida and the cowboy steak. Drinks include horchata and Mexican sodas, with desserts such as flan and chocolate cake. Kid-friendly meals and a full lunch menu are available, and guacamole is prepared tableside for guests to watch.
“The dish that gets me the most excited is the Trompito al pastor,” Palacios said. “It comes with three quesadillas, you cut your own meat and then just fill it with the cilantro, the onions and the hot sauce that you get.”
La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill highlights:
- Trompito al pastor — a miniature pork tower with quesadillas and toppings
- Mole de pollo — chicken in traditional chocolate-based sauce
- Mojarra frita — whole fried tilapia with rice and vegetables
- Seafood dishes — shrimp in chipotle or garlic sauces, ceviche, shrimp cocktail
- Traditional drinks — horchata, Mexican sodas
- Desserts — flan, chocolate cake
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Amazing food. I had the steak burrito. Not shreds of beef, but well cooked steak.