Quad News

The Quad in Uptown Dallas signs on seasonal restaurant from Bishop Arts

Scallops at Written By the Seasons

WBTS

The Quad in Uptown Dallas has scored a major restaurant get: Written by the Seasons, the healthy seasonal restaurant which opened its first location in Bishop Arts District in 2021, is joining the Quad's newly-aggregated “Restaurant Collection” of eclectic restaurants, where it will occupy a prime position adjacent to the development’s state-of-the-art office building at 2681 Howell St.

Formerly known as The Quadrangle, The Quad is being developed by commercial real estate firm Stream, and is expected to open in March 2024. The project includes a 345,425-square-foot office building with 18,500 square feet of surrounding retail.

“We're thrilled to be joining what we know will be a great lineup of diverse restaurants at The Quad," says Brenton Phillips, who owns and operates Written by the Seasons with his wife Hailey Nutt, and Dallas native Tripp Russ.

"As we continue to strategically expand and grow our brand, it is important to have an environment like The Quad, that will bring people from all over Dallas for both work and play,” Russ says.

“Our concept celebrates the ‘seasons’ of food and life, so we look forward to embarking on the journey of all The QUAD is about to become in this next season,“ Nutt says.

Written by the Seasons’ concept is meant to connect locals, travelers, the young, and the old around the dinner table. Each meal is inspired, created, and prepared to be celebrated in and through the seasons of life. Market driven dishes, seasonal ingredients, and locally raised provisions create eclectic and genuine experiences from the purest ingredients.

“Written by the Seasons is one of our favorite restaurants in Dallas, so we targeted them early on for a position at The Quad,” says The Quad's executive manager director and partner Ramsey March. “The restaurant has a devoted following in the Bishop Arts District, so we’re excited that Brenton and Hailey will be exporting their special brand of hospitality to our project in Uptown.”

The Restaurant Collection at The Quad will bring together alfresco dining, haute cuisine, and specialty cafés creating a gathering place for the next generation of Uptown Dallas residents, workers, and visitors. Two Hands, a community-focused eatery based in Australian café culture, was the first retail tenant to sign a lease in January 2023. Written by the Seasons and Two Hands are expected to open in 2024.

On the office side, three tenants have signed leases: M Financial Group recently signed a 52,000-square-foot lease. Revantage, a Blackstone Real Estate portfolio company, is taking a 32,000-square-foot space. Chicago Title Insurance Company, the largest title insurer and provider of real-estate related products, was the first office tenant and will occupy 20,000 square feet.

openings

Global tastes

New botanería pairs drinks with free bites near Dallas Farmers Market

Chef Karla Soria Palomino's menu delivers authentic Mexican flavors and bold heat.

Photo credit: Paul Torres.

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There is a novel concept open in the Dallas Farmers Market district: Called Sor Juana, it's a botanería inspired by traditional Mexican establishments where drinks are served alongside complimentary snacks and bar bites.

Located at 1908 Canton St., the space provides an immersion into Mexican culture through its food, beverages, decor, and overall atmosphere.

Sor Juana comes from Alexandra Hernández and Karla Soria Palomino. Hernández brings a background in front-of-house hospitality, theatre, and events while Soria Palomino contributes extensive kitchen experience from restaurants across Mexico and Dallas.

The inspiration behind the name and concept comes from 17th-century nun and scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Recognized as the "First Feminist of the Americas," she was a literary trailblazer who learned to read and write during an era when women were denied an education. Considered one of the greatest poets of the Baroque period in what is now Mexico, Sor Juana defied societal norms, stood up to the male-dominated clergy, and excelled in science, mathematics, music, and culinary arts.

“We wanted to pick a strong woman from Mexico as the emblematic figure of our botanería — traditionally run and frequented only by men,” Hernández says. “With our women-run botanería, which is a unique concept for Dallas, we are creating a space for everyone.”

The frame for their idea is a landmark Dallas building originally constructed over a century ago for the Desco Tile Company. Designed in a Venetian Gothic style with exterior arches and columns, the interior features original chandeliers alongside decorative, colorful tilework — including a wall fountain, a fireplace, and terrazzo floors — all preserved intact for Sor Juana, with a few new tile accents added to the bathrooms and bar backdrop.

Historic Dallas architecture meets traditional Mexican hospitality at Sor Juana.Photo credit: Paul Torres

“We tried to respect the architecture of the building by adjusting our concept to the space, rather than forcing the space to adjust to us,” Hernández says.

The duo worked with interior designer Callie Windle on the details, sourcing decorative pieces from artists both in Mexico and locally (many of which are available for purchase).

The 90-seat venue features comfortable seating centered around a dynamic bar program managed by Saúl Hernández (previously of Midnight Rambler, La Viuda Negra, and Las Almas Rotas).

True to the hospitality spirit of a traditional botanería, patrons receive a complimentary botana (bar bite) with every drink purchase. While the offerings rotate regularly to maintain an element of surprise, options range from spiced nuts, fresh fruit, and popcorn to more substantial plates like tacos and caldo de camarón.

The creative cocktail menu ranges from $12 to $16, anchored by their signature “La Nueva Sangre” — an orange blossom gin cocktail balanced with beet juice, lemon, passion fruit, and lavender bitters. Hernández notes the drink is “as complex and interesting, with a little bit of everything, just as Sor Juana was.”

The bar also pours Mexican imports alongside local favorites Shiner and Michelob for $7, wines, and zero-proof options including non-alcoholic champagne.

Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm, featuring $6 beers, $8 wines, and $8 cocktails infused with house-made Mexican chili oil macha sauce.

Beyond the complimentary botanas, the venue offers a full food menu designed by Chef Soria Palomino. It comes with a playful warning: “Expect bold flavors and a little heat — that’s what the cerveza is for.” Signature items include ceviche, mezcal-glazed wings, tacos, and tostadas, all centered on authentic Mexican flavor profiles.

For dessert, they feature a ganzote crafted by Diana Zamora of Nena Postrería, inspired by the classic packaged Gansito sponge cake.

Community events play a major role in the space, including lotería nights, "Bring Your Own Vinyl" Sundays, and rotating local DJs every other Friday. The team is actively taking community feedback to build out future programming, including upcoming collaborative dinner series.

“Events are a way to build community and bring people together,” Hernández says. “When we started crafting this concept, we looked at every detail — from the playlist to the food and cocktails, as we wanted a total experience where every element comes together and complements the rest.”

Sor Juana is open 2-10 pm Wednesday-Thursday 12 pm-12 pm Friday-Saturday, 12-10 pm Sunday. Metered street parking is enforced until 6 pm, with free parking available afterward.