Scope Out Chef John Tesar's Sexy New Menu For Quill Lounge

A swanky new bar-restaurant concept from a power team of Dallas restaurateurs has officially opened its doors in the Design District. In collaboration with Apheleia Restaurant Group (which owns Oak, El Bolero, and five other Dallas concepts) and Chef John Tesar, Nick & Sam's Steakhouse's Joe Palladino quietly debuted Quill Lounge this week.

For the concept, Chef John Tesar has created a menu of small plates, many inspired by some of his classic dishes. “I’ve created a tapas-style menu that takes diners around the globe,” says Chef Tesar. Diners can dig into Ozersky sliders reminiscent of the Ozersky burger served at Knife, and a squid ink cone stuffed with big eye tuna that recalls Tesar’s time at Spoon Bar & Kitchen.

To complement those small plates, bar manager James Slater (who worked with Tesar at Knife) has created a rotating menu of classy cocktails to sip in the upscale lounge. Look forward to housemade infusions and sophisticated ingredients, as seen in the “Senya Many Nights,” a cocktail mixed with French tarragon syrup, matcha-infused pisco, and mango liqueur.

The space will also feature a private dining room called The Ink Room, where folks with enough cash to spend can treat their guests to a meal catered by the Quill Lounge culinary team, Apheleia’s fine dining spot Oak, or Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse.

Quill Lounge opens for dinner and cocktails at 4 p.m., and stays open until “late.” Scope out the menu below, and start saving your pennies so you can party like a true baller.

Quill Lounge Menu