Artistry, JHB

If you haven’t experienced J’Something’s tri-level tribute to food, art, culture and music in Sandton, you’d better have a good excuse. Order tapas on the roof and book tickets for your entertainment of choice, before ending the night with drinks in the l

Johannesburg’s particular brand of culture and its vibrant social scene are fuelled by the creative community who express themselves through art, music, dance and food. And in a first for the city, Artistry in Sandton combines all of the above in a three-storey experience designed to take guests from a rooftop restaurant through a middle-level theatre and finally down to a street-level lounge and listening bar. The brainchild of entrepreneur Jonathan Liebmann, founder of the city’s urban renewal projects including BlackBrick Sandton where Artistry is based, and J’Something, the self-taught chef and award-winning singer-songwriter of hit-making band Mi Casa, the concept is intended to showcase, celebrate and preserve culture. In other words, Artistry is much more than just a restaurant.

“We call it a restaurant because we have one here, but that’s not how we define ourselves,” says J’Something, whose father made a living setting up restaurants for hotel groups, such as Sun International, and whose mother owned Butler’s Riverside restaurant in Port Alfred for 18 years. “And I don’t define myself as a chef, or even as a phenomenal cook. I just cook from the heart. I learned the value of good service and how to create ambience from my parents. I’m an entertainer. I love creating and expressing myself. And that’s what Artistry is all about.”

The all-day menu is simple and delicious, offering patrons a classic fry-up or handrolled sourdough bagel with your choice of fillings for breakfast; and a selection of small and bigger plates for lunch and dinner. Order the croquettes three ways, flambéed chorizo, grilled prawns, baby periperi chicken or Karoo lamb. Plus, pizzas and burgers make sure the whole crowd is suitably pleased.

Insider tip: don’t miss the madeleines.

The recipe belongs to chef and good friend Giles Edwards, who made them famous at his renowned Cape Town restaurant, La Tête, before he moved to Joburg.

“I’m an entertainer. I love creating and expressing myself” – J’Something

It’s an unpretentious offering for an eatery in Sandton, and so are the interior spaces, which comprise repurposed wood furniture, all-brick walls, terracotta décor pieces, and the occasional piece of original artwork adorning walls and suspended from the ceiling. J’Something insists the minimalist design approach works because people come here to connect. “The place is not the moment, the people are.”

The idea is to blend novelty with familiarity. At “Sundays Are For Therapy”, you can enjoy a finger-licking barbeque developed by a former chef from the Saxon’s Qunu restaurant, while “Artistry

Live Presents” entertains up to 100 guests on Saturday evenings with comedy or live performances by the likes of Langa Mavuso or Mpho Sebina, followed by a three-course meal and afterparty. Other offerings are the “Artistry Movie Club”, which includes burgers, fries and a movie ticket, and the monthly “House Party” featuring classic house tunes spun by local DJs. J’Something describes it as an exclusive hangout for up to 100 people where you can chill, dance and experience magic as it unfolds. Guests can even choose to stay at the hotel and make it a staycation.

They’re also planning to expand by adding a rooftop beer garden and a bakery, featuring Annemieke van Nieuwkerk’s delicious breads, which you may have tasted at the now-shuttered Voisin at 44 Stanley in Milpark. Most of the staff – 95% to be exact, according to J’Something – including Lindokuhle Ndala and Siphesihle Zondi, were recruited via social media. Says Zondi: “The hours are long in the industry and some environments are brutal, but it’s not like that here. We’re like a family. We fight like siblings, but we also love like siblings.

And Jay is like a big brother.”

“I always ask the staff to imagine serving me a plate of food at their house and how they would feel in that moment,” says J’Something. “This is our house. We are here to show people how much we love cooking, not just how good we are.” W thisisartistry.co.za

Atang Tshikarare’s sculptural installation Mure is made from galvanised wire and heavy-duty plastic, and is suspended from the ceiling of the Listening Bar. Opposite, from left: Tuna tartare – cubed fresh tuna, red onion, cucumber, capers, wasabi mayo, crispy garlic and basil served with tortilla chips; Siphesihle Zondi and J’Something at the pass. “I feel like people think of art as just painting, but everyone here is like an artist,” says Siphesihle.

Clockwise from below: Lindokuhle Ndala, Naledi Makgoga, Siphesihle Zondi, J’Something and Annemarie van Nieuwkerk gather for a staff meeting; Lindokuhle Ndaba on tapas and salad duty; an ice-cold beer complements crispy chicken wings dunked in smoky BBQ or hot sauce.