Monica Greene to Recharge Cedars Social with Modern Mexican Cuisine

Monica Greene is back from early retirement to dazzle Dallas again with another restaurant takeover, this time it’s The Cedars Social.

In terms of Dallas’ dining history, this is a big one. Greene’s resume is so prolific (Ciudad, BEE, Pegaso Diner) that Eater once devoted a whole category of coverage to her comings and goings. Any DFW resident who likes Mexican cuisine is sure have run across one of her ventures; she’s been known to say she was building taquerias here before they were cool.

In an interview with D Magazine, Greene said she came out of retirement in Colorado to take over the Cedars spot. She walked in, “ordered a Black Manhattan at the bar, and, fast forward a few conversations, ended up buying the place,” she told the magazine. This is following several changes of the guard for The Cedars Social, from John Tesar to attempts at American and modern fare.

While the interior design will stay the same, Greene’s team, reassembled from past ventures, will make some big changes. The revamped A-team starts with business partner Frankie Jimenez, chef Anastasia Quinones (Alma, Komali, Kitchen LTO), and bartender Leann Berry (Ciudad, Junction Craft + Kitchen).

Quinones will introduce a menu of modern Mexican cuisine with casual lunches inspired by Mexico City street food, and “modern and sleek” dinners. Her rotating mole sauce is already garnering some buzz. Berry will introduce a new cocktail menu to The Cedars Social that will use its preexisting whiskey and scotch selection, in addition to mezcals, tequilas, and an updated wine list.

The location is currently closed until Valentine’s Day, when it will open with an abbreviated menu. The restaurant will then close for a day, only to reopen on the 16th at full speed.

• Exciting new Dallas Mexican restaurant sparks hot Cedars social scene [CultureMap Dallas]
• Monica Greene to Re-Open The Cedars Social [D Magazine]
• Cedars Social To Re-Open With Modern Mexican Menu [Crave DFW]
• Modern Mexican restaurant to open in Dallas, under a name you’ll recognize [Guide Live]