Jo-Jo’s

LOCATION
On the corner of Albert and Queen Streets, a long term resident of Brisbane City’s main shopping mall.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Over the years Jo Jo’s seems to have had more face lifts than most B-grade celebrities. The current look is an all-too-charming, over-the-top, flashy expanse of clean and white. Undeniably distinct from the average inner-city restaurant, this eatery comes to life not so much as an intimate nook, than a food community at the end of a private mall escalator. A hive of waiters, suits, shoppers, tourists and city regulars spread over polished indoor and spacious verandah areas munching and talking. To add to the atmosphere, on Thursday afternoons the space is filled with the sounds of jazz.

It is beyond dispute that Jo Jo’s has also penned a tale with the food on offer – a story of Mediterranean and Thai curries and stir-fries, wood fired pizzas, more pastas than a small Italian village, seafood, snacks and a novel of specials. A char-grill section with more than eight different cuts of meat, a wandering wine list, draught beer and a mix of cocktails add to the experience. One thing is certain: everyone’s international culinary desires have a solid chance of being fulfilled. In the morning try the Jo Jo’s special: sauteed garlic and parsley field mushrooms on fresh ciabatta with wild rocket and parmesan salad. For later meals, gourmet pizzas are great to share. For anyone not scared of carbs the potato pizza (fitted out with potato slices, rosemary, sea salt and garlic confit) is a tempting option. An extensive pasta choice is equally appealing and includes tasty choices like the sand crab angelhair. It’s not every day you get to lose the battle with a delicious (and oversized) bowl of pasta while listening to the refinement of jazz (performed by a lady in a ball gown nonetheless!) at 4pm on a Thursday afternoon, so make the most of it.

Katharine Chapman