Jewel of the South

The buzz about Jewel of the South is all true. The cocktail program under the direction of James Beard Award winner Chris Hannah is superb. Where else can you order a perfectly balanced cocktail called Tuxedo Tails, an elegant riff on a gin martini with Manzanilla sherry, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, and a pickled quail egg garnish? (Sounds a little weird but the egg totally works) All the cocktails are off the charts but that's not the only good news. This lounge is also a restaurant, offering spectacular eats on the quiet end of the lower Quarter, close to Armstrong Park. Gorgeously composed plates from chef Philip Whitmarsh, an Englishman who was most recently the sous chef at Compére Lapin, include the likes of miso roasted eggplant with tofu creme and salted plums and Italian roast pork with pickled chanterelles cheekily served on yesterday's bread (it's toasted). Nothing is cheap here - expect to pay $11-$16 for cocktails and in the $16 range for small plates, but the quality speaks for itself. Say no to cheap ordinary food and eat here.