Joburg Hot Spot: Gemelli Cucina Bar

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring IMAGES Tristan du Plessis

Tristan du Plessis of studioA Signature Projects, who designed Hell’s Kitchen in Melville, Fuel at IBM‘s headquarters, Dakota Lee Tattoo Parlour in Kramerville, as well as the Arque Champagne Crescent in Sandton, recently completed a new project in Bryanston.

“The brief was to create a loft style space that would reflect the personality of the owner, ” explains Tristan. Having been raised in Italy, Gemelli Cucina Bar owner Alessandro Mosupi Khojane developed a natural passion for Italian food. He wanted the space to embody his Italian roots, as well as his approachable service style, where he knows most of his customers by name.

The interiors also needed to reflect the restaurant’s menu, which includes both fine dining and traditional Italian dishes. It needed to be stylish, glamourous and approachable, says Tristan, a space where you can take a first date or have a comfortable family dinner.

“The space is a mix of polished stucco, aged metals, factory-style windows and unique furniture pieces,” says Tristan. “The leather strap screen is made to resemble the pasta drying racks that are used in the kitchen when making pasta from scratch.”

What really stands out in this space is the 15 m x 3 m spray-painted mural, created by renowned Los Angeles-based street artists Cyrcle, who were flown out to do the piece.

Read the Eat Out review here.