Chef Eric Dreyer didn't plan on going into cooking, but the North Texas culinary scene is better off because he did. Dreyer is now the executive chef at Monarch — which is not only one of Dallas' hottest restaurants but truly, one of its best. There is considerable hype around Monarch, and it is oh so well deserved.
To better understand Chef Dreyer and the food he cooks, Local Profile asked 20 rapid-fire questions. His responses follow.
1. What's your earliest memory of food or cooking?
My earliest memory was my mom's cooking. I remember recipes that turned out great. I remember recipes that did not turn out great. So it was seeing that you had to take a risk and try things. And then for me, it was climbing up on the kitchen counter and grabbing ingredients and putting a mixing bowl and not knowing what I was doing.
2. How did you become a chef?
It was definitely not a plan I intended to follow. I went to Texas Tech, and computer science was where I thought I really wanted to spend my time and put my focus. But I came back to Dallas, and I started working at a restaurant. This was fast food, it was nothing special. I met a friend, who is still a friend to this day, and we moved to California. I worked at a catering company as a server, and I was always in the kitchen asking the chef questions. So she then came to me and said, 'You really seem to like this. Would you want to come work in the kitchen with me?' I loved it. I never looked back.
3. What is your favorite thing to cook?
I would say seasonal dishes.
4. What's your favorite thing to eat?
I'm really not picky. I like simple things. You know, I think my wife and I probably gravitate to Indian food. Some people might get nervous when they have us over to their house for dinner — they overthink it. But really, I am the least picky person.
5. Do you cook at home?
I did last night okay, but not normally.
6. What's your guilty pleasure?
I don't know if it's guilty but lately, we've become avid pickleball players. But for a guilty pleasure, I guess that would be like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
7. What is the song that you never tired of?
"Lowdown" by Boz Scaggs is what comes to mind.
8. What's your most prized possession?
My family.
9. How do you take your coffee?
I take it with a little cream and sugar.
10. What's your favorite smell?
Fresh-cut grass.
11. What inspires your cooking?
Going back to the seasons — seasonal things that are available knowing where they come from.
12. What's your favorite movie?
The Jerk.
13. What's the last book you read?
The Last Days of the Incas.
14. What's your ideal vacation?
Where it's relaxing and where we can go exploring. We went to Croatia over the summer. There was so much history. It was beautiful.
15. Besides at your restaurant, where do you like to eat?
We do like Indian food but we like to find something new. We don't go to the same place all the time and are always finding something new
16. What do you do on your day off?
I watch football, play pickleball and play card games with my family.
17. What is something new that you're learning to do?
We've been talking about scuba diving and getting certified for that.
18. Do you have a favorite quote?
It's from Eminem: "Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?" That's a good one.
19. So how would you describe Monarch to somebody who's never been?
Approachable, modern Italian that's in an elegant setting and centered around a wood-fire grill.
20. What's next?
We have some potential growth within the company and we've been looking at locations in Dallas for other concepts. And we have a few other concepts in discussion right now.
If you've never been to Monarch, you should — and celebrate a special occasion or a wonderful night out (make reservations here). If you are looking for a place to ring in the New Year, Monarch is recreating the opulence of the French court à la Marie Antoinette. Expect an extravagant and delicious evening. More info here.
