Just off the phone with a very peaceful and centered Monica Greene. She is in town scouting locations for a new restaurant to be called Distrito. She has her eyes on a location but nothing has been signed.
“Yes, I am here setting the foundation for my return,” she said. “I am meeting with people and would-be investors.”
For the last two years, Monica has been in Aspen running a small vegetarian/vegan bistro on the top floor of the Explorer Bookstore & Bistro owned by Dallasite Cheryl Wyly.
“I let the chef go and I’ve been back in the kitchen creating healthy menus and touching food again,” she said. “Aspen has given me my health back. It has been a long slow process of getting my mind back to an incredible attitude about food.”
Monica plans to return to Dallas in September, upgrade the menu at Monica’s Aca y Alla, and get Distrito open in time for the Super Bowl. “I’m very excited,” she said. “I can’t transmit how much through the phone line. I’ve been eating at new concepts all over Dallas and I am amazed by the savvy attitude and energy [of the restaurant business] in Dallas. It’s not dull like Denver.”
Wherever she chooses to open, Monica will be in the kitchen. The focus of her food will be healthy, green, and organic.