Here’s hoping whoever takes over the kitchen at Jack Rose Dining Saloon can figure out how to emulate Chef Russell Jones‘ fried chicken skins and whiskey wings. Jones is leaving the Adams Morgan whiskey emporium to move back to his hometown of Columbia, S.C. to open a restaurant serving French-meets-Southern cuisine. The new dad will be closer to friends and relatives.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon Owner Bill Thomas issued the following statement on Jones’ departure:

“We’re sad to say Russell will be leaving his post as executive chef at Jack Rose in mid-August, to return to his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. In just over two years at the restaurant, he helped elevate our food to the level of our bar program, with a 2.5 star review in the Washington Post and many other accolades during his time here. We congratulate him on his growing family and wish him the best of luck on his homecoming. We look forward to welcoming a new chapter in the kitchen this fall and will have some exciting news to announce shortly.”

During his tenure in D.C., Jones also worked for PX, Restaurant Eve, Vinoteca, Busboys and Poets, and Black’s Bar and Kitchen, among others.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 2007 18th St. NW; (202) 588-7388; jackrosediningsaloon.com

Photo courtesy Jack Rose Dining Saloon