Monica Greene’s New Restaurant, Tajin, is Under Construction

Posted on September 22nd, 2011 9:00am by Nancy Nichols
Filed under Celebrity Chefs, Openings/Closings, Regional Mexican Cuisine, Restaurant News

Veteran Dallas restaurateur Monica Greene’s new Mexico City-style full-service restaurant, Tajin, is under construction at the ILUME building on Cedar Springs. “The name represents beginnings to me,” Greene said. “I was born on a street named Tajin and it was there I would sit in the kitchen with the family cooks and learn how to cook.”

The space is designed around personalized service. “Google Tajin and the Olmec people can see the inspiration for some of the design elements,” Greene said. “El Tajin are ruins near Veracruz and the people had huge round faces and almost an African look.” The menu? “Mexican, Mexican, Mexican,” Greene said. “This is not Ciudad, this is  going to be traditional Mexican stuff that nobody in Dallas is doing. The menu will feature liver, rabbits, and grasshoppers.” Greene will be in the kitchen but she is also interviewing chefs to work with her.

Take a look at the two logos above. Monica is also trying to decide which logo to use. Which do you like?

The 80-seat restaurant is scheduled to open in January, 2012.

16 comments

  1. will this restaurant take the same environmentally unfriendly approach as her enchilada place, with disposable plates forks etc?

    @ 9:56 am on September 22, 2011

  2. I vote for the first logo. Much easier to read.

    @ 9:57 am on September 22, 2011

  3. No. 1

    @ 10:14 am on September 22, 2011

  4. I like the second logo better. I just can’t see myself ordering grasshoppers. But looking forward to your comments about them, Nancy!

    @ 10:36 am on September 22, 2011

  5. First logo one, for sure. The second is almost unreadable at first glance.

    @ 10:38 am on September 22, 2011

  6. Grasshoppers are delicious. So are beetles. crunchy and earthy. They are difficult to resource in the US. Look for grasshoppers [insert obvious verb here] on menus soon.

    @ 10:52 am on September 22, 2011

  7. I’ve always enjoyed the delicious dishes that Miss Greene whips up, and I’ve followed her to all of her locations: Aca y Alla, Ciudad, Pegaso, BEE, and am looking forward to this new “beginning.”

    @ 10:56 am on September 22, 2011

  8. The first logo for sure. The second one gives me a headache. I am in this neighborhood all the time and can’t wait for Tajin to open.

    @ 11:23 am on September 22, 2011

  9. Definitely the first one.

    @ 11:49 am on September 22, 2011

  10. First one.

    @ 1:39 pm on September 22, 2011

  11. Another vote for Logo No. 1

    @ 3:12 pm on September 22, 2011

  12. No. 1 for sure…rainbow logo in that neighborhood is a must.

    @ 4:30 pm on September 22, 2011

  13. I love the colorful logo.

    @ 5:25 pm on September 22, 2011

  14. In case any of your readers are wondering… this restaurant name is pronounced Ta-heen. Always something fresh and exciting from Monica!

    @ 5:53 pm on September 22, 2011

  15. As a vegan, I’m saddened that Monica isn’t using her talent to bring delicious, cruelty-free dishes to Dallas. And I thought Monica was now vegan, too…guess not.

    @ 10:12 am on September 23, 2011

  16. Put Tracey and Me down for the opening!

    @ 10:27 am on September 26, 2011