Two-time James Beard Award nominee chef Jacques Larson (Wild Olive, the Obstinate Daughter, and Beardcat’s Sweet Shop) will have a new restaurant in Savannah next year. Lester’s will be part of boutique hotel the Douglas. While the 14 East Oglethorpe Avenue hotel is up and running now, construction is happening at 18 East Oglethorpe Avenue for more guest rooms and a full-service restaurant.
Lester’s will be in the basement of the upcoming property, with outdoor seating as well. It will serve lunch and dinner daily. While the menu is a ways out, Larson says it will lean French. “The space is very small, he says, “And on top of that, there’s no hood system over there, so we really had to think of what we could do. For me, it was a no-brainer to do an oyster bar.” He says to expect small plates, like terrines and pates, in addition to a few larger items.
When Larson joined the team at the Douglas, he initially thought he was designing a continental breakfast menu, but over the course of the two-year renovation, plans changed. The group behind the hotel decided to build a full kitchen, in case of event buy-outs, and that upped the game for Larson…