Anastacia Quinones Is Out at Cedars Social

On Valentine's Day, the Cedars Social — the long-suffering Cedars cocktail bar and restaurant — reopened as the Cedars Socíal under new management: Restaurateur Monica Greene, chef Anastacia Quinones and bar manager Leann Berry. It became a modern Mexican restaurant with a lunchtime taco bar on the back patio, operating out...

By Beth Rankin

September 13, 2018

Executive chef Anastacia Quinones is leaving the Cedars Social. Alison McLean, Christopher Durbin

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On Valentine's Day, the Cedars Social — the long-suffering Cedars cocktail bar and restaurant — reopened as the Cedars Socíal under new management: Restaurateur Monica Greene, chef Anastacia Quinones and bar manager Leann Berry. It became a modern Mexican restaurant with a lunchtime taco bar on the back patio, operating out of an old shipping container. After years of upheaval, the restaurant finally seemed to have found an identity.

But now, everything seems up in the air once again. A few minutes ago, executive chef Anastacia Quinones announced her departure from the restaurant on Facebook.

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my split from The Cedars Socíal," she wrote. "For 8 months I poured my heart and soul into every sauce, dish, flavored masa, taco and plate I created. Unfortunately, The Cedars Socíal will be going in a different direction. I'll be taking some much needed time off to spend with my family but don't worry I'll be back soon!!"

Surprised? Yeah, us too. We'll miss Quinones' homey, inventive modern Mexican fare and fun taco menu centered around flavored masas, but we don't doubt that she'll be back on the scene soon.

Could Cedars Socíal be in for yet another reinvention?

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Beth Rankin is an Ohio native and Cicerone-certified beer server who specializes in social media, food and drink, travel and news reporting. Her belief system revolves around the significance of Topo Chico, the refusal to eat crawfish out of season and the importance of local and regional foodways.

Contact: Beth Rankin

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