Seasonal, locally-sourced food, check. Killer beverage list, check. Patio, check. Inviting interiors with a cozy, earthy, upscale vibe, check. The newest player in the Bentonville restaurant scene is ticking all my favorite boxes!

 

Written by the Seasons may be the new kid in town, but they are no strangers to Northwest Arkansas. Owners Brenton Phillips and Hailey Nutt spent formative years in Fayetteville, both graduated from the University of Arkansas, and in the time since, opened the first two WBTS locations in Dallas. Both Texas locations received Michelin guide recommendations in 2024 and 2025, a.k.a. a tip of the hat to restaurants that haven’t yet received a star but are highly notable. Chefs Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley are building on that reputation here in Bentonville.

 

Interior Written by the Seasons

First, a plug for Written by the Seasons’ value system: supporting local farms means supporting the holistic health of your community. Buying locally sometimes means prices are slightly higher, and while the menu at Written by the Seasons reflects their investment, it’s 100% worth yours as well. 


Back to the experience: the dining room is compact with dense seating reminiscent of a busy big city restaurant. In one corner, photos of the owners’ time in Arkansas overlook the dining room, in another, a beautiful terra cotta tile bar (bustling with activity when I arrived). Glass windows looking out to the patio opposite to Loveless Cocktail Club make up the third arm of the triangular space.

 

WBTS

The drinks menu is impressive and extensive, so cocktail lovers take note. The menu categories range from Seasonal, Cold Pressed (cold pressed juices + aromatics + spirits), Classic, Premium Martinis, Mocktails and Dessert Drinks. That’s just the first page. WBTS also has an extensive wine list that offers range without being overwhelming.

 

The food menu was a veritable parade of all the best flavors of Spring. To start, I tried one of the Chef’s Signatures, the carrot muhummara, a riff on a cold dip that swaps traditional roasted red peppers for carrots, blended with walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Next was a satisfying portion of hamachi crudo with blood orange salsa, avocado, and chives. Burrata is always a must and the one I sampled was served with grilled asparagus, watercress, and a pistachio aillade with just the right amount of vinegar to balance the richness of the cheese. 

 

To get a sense of the main courses, I sampled two: the seared cod fillet arranged atop a saucy bed of baby artichokes, asparagus and delicate greens and the lamb t-bone with carrots, snap peas, and a mint pistou. The kitchen is hitting all the top notes of Spring in a fresh and satisfying way–so good both entrees were served with additional spoons to scoop up every last bite. To finish the meal, I had to try their pistachio pavlova, served with a white chocolate cremeux and to my delight, kumquats! Each course was satisfying without being heavy, centering the fresh, bright flavors I’ve been looking forward to all Winter. 

Written by the Seasons is a welcome addition to Bentonville’s upscale casual subset of restaurants and it’s perfectly positioned in the heart of downtown, making it a natural fit for the launch point or end of your evening. Reservations are recommended for this cozy spot.