Green Eyed Monster, a Tippler from Lafitte

Tamara Palmer

​Lafitte is the new restaurant from "Dissident Chef" Russell Jackson, who most recently hosted underground meals under the Sub-Culture Dining banner. More than two years in the making, the waterfront, pirate-named spot opened its doors for dinner on April 6, and expects to begin lunch service before the end of May.

We stopped in on a recent evening, when sheets of rain streamed down on the Embarcadero and almost formed an impromptu river for our imaginary pirate ship to sail down. Once inside, we were rewarded with warmly balanced cocktails, served in the shadow of a blackboard touting quotes by two of our favorite late luminaries, Oscar Wilde and Notorious B.I.G.

Particularly delightful was a Green Eyed Monster of Hendrick's gin, green Chartreuse, jalapeño, lemon, and sage, from the "tippler" section of the drink menu. The herbal vivaciousness of the Chartreuse is a lovely foil for the pepper, effectively neutralizing its heat while highlighting its other flavors.

Lafitte Pier 5 (at the Embarcadero), 839-2134