Corlet Drive, Melrose, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cuisine:
Bistro, Fast Food, Hamburgers, Sandwiches
Good for:
Breakfast/Brunch, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch, Reservations
JB’s Corner
4 Visitor Photos +
Expert Review
Don’t get me wrong, eating out is a gift to me. However, sometimes you just need something light and healthy...
Don’t get me wrong, eating out is a gift to me. However, sometimes you just need something light and healthy to keep you moving without weighing you down. One fine Tuesday afternoon, I went to JB’s Corner with just that goal in mind. I have a fit and health conscious friend who thought I would like it. We sat outside on the pleasant patio and watched the busy street bustle. The inside of the restaurant is classically decorated with a cool wall of books that makes the place feel homey. I had a mountain of salad, the Forest Salad, which is vegetarian and includes butternut squash, feta, brinjal and carrot. I felt the vitamins cleaning up my act upon my first multicolored bite. It was not particularly flavor-filled but it is a salad after all. My friend had chicken and vegetables with a sweet potato which is also what he needed to refuel after a workout and get on with the busy day. JB’s Corner is not what I would consider a destination point, but if you are shopping or running around (literally) you can enjoy some solid food at a reasonable price without breaking your calorie bank or bank account. If the weather is nice, sit outside at one of the many covered tables. I can also imagine sipping a tea or a cocktail on a cold day inside because the interior is warm and inviting. I am not sure if I would tell someone to go out of the way to eat here, because it is not unlike the many cafes in Johannesburg, but it is worth stepping in if you are in the area.
Expert Review
It's surprising how many times salmon shows up on the menu at J.B.'s Corner. You can get salmon salad, salmon...
It’s surprising how many times salmon shows up on the menu at J.B.’s Corner. You can get salmon salad, salmon croissant, salmon pasta, salmon pizza, chunky smoked salmon meze, salmon sashimi and salmon blondie, and the latter is what is what I chose for breakfast.
With one of the most exclusive addresses in Johannesburg, this Melrose Arch restaurant is in the company of giants. J.B’s Corner is across the street from Moyo in a building that boasts architecture almost as unique.
Located one the corner of the first building to go up in Melrose Arch, J.B.’s opened before all the roads had been paved in this upscale shopping area. Space inside the restaurant is broken up by columns, each with its own theme such as classic cars, movies, and comic book characters such as Archie, Popeye and the Simpsons.
The salmon blondie was probably the hugest omelette I ever saw, made with egg whites and stuffed with low-fat-but-delicious smoked salmon, sun-dried tomatoes, mushroom and avocado. On the side was a bowl of Napolatano tomato sauce made without preservatives. “We take pride in that sauce,” said the manager, Tremaine.
So much for good intentions. The omelette may have been a low-calorie choice but the bread seemed to have been cut from a loaf made for giants. It was irresistible and begged for butter and jam. One bite wasn’t enough. Coffee came with a dainty shortbread cookie, not uncommon on saucers any time of the day in Johannesburg restaurants.
Here’s a sampling of other items on a menu best described as continental: halloumi grilled 0r fried with cranberry jelly; sashimi salad and spicy tuna ragout.
With a menu section entitled “J.B.’s Beach Body Eating,” the restaurant is a favorite among members of Virgin Active, the Melrose Arch gym across the street, Tremaine said.
This restaurant may not have a drive-thru window but it does offer drive-by service. You can order by phone and pull up in your car: they’ll deliver to your window. It’s open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight.