About Us
The Story Behind The Boab Tree
More than twenty years ago, fate brought Anissa Mendez and Jorge Martinez together in a small, hidden bar in Granada, Spain. Anissa was visiting from Las Vegas, and Jorge was living his Andalusian life — full of warmth, laughter, and a love for people. Under the golden light of southern Spain, their worlds collided — two dreamers from opposite sides of the ocean who somehow felt they had known each other forever.
For a short time, they lived in that beautiful bubble of possibility, but distance eventually became their greatest challenge. When Anissa returned to the United States, the thousands of miles between them proved difficult to bridge, and life led them down separate paths. For ten years, they lived apart, carrying the quiet memory of each other like a spark waiting to be reignited.
Then, one ordinary day, destiny intervened through a simple Facebook message. Within a week of reconnecting, Jorge was on a plane to see her. The moment they reunited, it was as if no time had passed at all. One year later, they were married. Today, they share a life filled with love, art, laughter, and two beautiful children — a boy and a girl — who remind them every day why second chances are worth believing in.
About Jorge
Jorge Martinez is a self-made entrepreneur whose career reflects resilience, discipline, and an exceptional instinct for business. From a young age, he built his success through hard work, determination, and hands-on experience, managing restaurants and helping businesses grow. His natural leadership, operational expertise, and passion for hospitality eventually led him to become the director of a prestigious international spa company with locations in New York City, Chicago, and Spain.
Throughout his career, Jorge has worked alongside people from all walks of life—from local families to international travelers and celebrated personalities—experiences that shaped his philosophy that genuine hospitality begins with making every person feel valued and welcome.
Today, Jorge is the driving force behind the day-to-day operations of The Boab Tree Restaurant, Art Studio & Gallery in Estepona, Spain. With an extraordinary business mind and an unwavering attention to detail, he oversees every aspect of the restaurant's logistics, operations, team development, and guest experience. His ability to combine strategic thinking with genuine care for people has transformed The Boab Tree into one of Estepona's most celebrated dining destinations in just two years, earning outstanding reviews and building a loyal international following.
Jorge believes that a successful restaurant is built on far more than exceptional food—it is built on trust, consistency, teamwork, and creating an experience that guests remember long after they leave. His leadership has cultivated a culture where staff feel like family, excellence is the standard, and every guest is welcomed with warmth and authenticity.
Together with his wife, Anissa, Jorge continues to grow The Boab Tree into a destination where hospitality, creativity, and community come together to create something truly unique.
About Anissa
Anissa Mendez is an artist, educator, author, and illustrator dedicated to inspiring creativity in children and adults alike. Originally from New York City, her artwork has been exhibited throughout the city's vibrant art scene—from West Broadway and Chelsea to the Hamptons—and today her original paintings can be found in private collections around the world.
With more than 27 years as an art educator, Anissa has devoted her career to helping others discover the joy of creative expression. She is the author and illustrator of the Masters of Energy children's book series, available on Amazon, where colorful characters guide young readers on adventures that explore imagination, mindfulness, kindness, and emotional growth.
Together with her husband, Jorge, Anissa is the co-owner of The Boab Tree Restaurant, Art Studio & Gallery in Estepona, Spain, where live artists create original paintings each evening as part of the dining experience. Her belief that creativity has the power to bring people together extends beyond the restaurant through i.Inspire, a virtual children's art gallery that celebrates the imagination of young artists from around the world.
Children who create artwork while dining at The Boab Tree are invited to have their artwork photographed and included in the growing i.Inspire Children's Gallery at www.imindheart.com, where they join a worldwide community of young creators sharing positive energy through art.
Whether through her paintings, books, educational projects, or community initiatives, Anissa's mission remains the same: to inspire people of all ages to create, imagine, and discover the extraordinary potential that exists within themselves.
Learn more at www.imindheart.com.
The Boab Tree
Together, Anissa and Jorge dreamed of creating something that would unite their worlds — a place where art, food, and community could come together in harmony. That dream became The Boab Tree Restaurant in Estepona, Spain.
The Boab Tree is more than a restaurant; it is a living expression of their shared journey — rooted in love, creativity, and connection. Just as the Boab Tree itself symbolizes resilience and life, their story continues to grow and thrive, nourished by the belief that love, like art, always finds its way home.
