5 Obsessions: Restaurant Legend Monica Greene’s Current Cravings

by Abby Gregory on Oct 17, 2011 in Columns, Shopping

 

 

Each week, DFW Style Daily reveals the fashion fixations of our city’s top trendsetters. Today, beloved Dallas restaurateur Monica Greene shares a few of her fall favorites.

 

We’re willing to bet Monica’s list will spark some new cravings for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With over 30 years’ experience in the restaurant scene, Monica Greene is a Dallas dining icon. Her namesake hotspot, Monica’s Aca y Alla, is a perennial Deep Ellum favorite, and BEE: Best Enchiladas Ever draws crowds in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. Monica’s newest venture, Tajin, will open at the Illume on Cedar Springs in 2012.

 

 

Delicious cuisine aside, what you might not know about this spicy lady is that she’s a sucker for statement jewelry. Read on for more details on that obsession, plus a few more of Monica’s current faves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Awesome Ankle Booties

 

Monica is all about chic footwear right this second, especially ankle booties in exotic animal prints. We can picture her rocking these kicks from Carlos by Carlos Santana, available at Famous Footwear for $121.99.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Immersion Blender

 

Commenting on her top kitchen appliance addiction, the chef says, “I love my immersion blender. I use it almost every day.” Pick one up for yourself for around $60 at Bed Bath & Beyond, and maybe your next cooking experiment will come out as tasty as one of Monica’s. Hey – it could happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Jewelry by Cheryl Wyly

 

“I love these original, creative, oversized pieces. Some of her work reminds me of the works of Lalique,” our expert notes of bling by designer Cheryl Wyly. Invest in a creation like this brown diamond cross pendant for $6,900, available online via Aspen, Colorado’s Elliott Yeary Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. International Flavors

 

Monica hits Dallas’ Sushi Axiom for Mustang Rolls and sake, and she also frequents The Mint for Pad Thai. Of her latest culinary cravings, she explains, “As I age, I try to eat as much organic food and fresh produce as possible, and I consume less red meat and more fresh fish.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Paws Cause

 

Finally, calling it the best of Dallas’ events supporting animals in need, Monica never misses the SPCA’s annual Paws Cause. Next year’s event takes place on January 29, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sambuca Restaurant in Uptown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo credits, from top: 1. FamousFootwear.com, 2. BedBathandBeyond.com, 3. ElliottYeary.com, 4. SushiAxiom.net, 5. DogTipper.com)