Hello! We are staying at the Grace in Rosebank for two nights on a layover and were hoping to get recommendations for shopping for upscale art/sculpture/etc. So far we have Yum and Moyo on our list of places to eat. Any other suggestions? Thank you!

Concierge at the Grace is excellent and will steer you if you indicate your interests. Leopolds used to have a great traditional SA buffet (not like any buffet you have had before -- really) but they've closed the downtown location (for good reason, you needed to pack an Uzi to walk that block), presumably Sandton one is just as good. You are staying at the best hotel in Johannesburg. There used to be a restaurant with blues (jazz) in the Rosebank mall (near the Park Hyatt -- abysmal hotel, avoid at all costs) that was quite good, can't remember the name but you can ask at the Grace. As for shopping for art, it is too much a matter of personal taste, but visit the furniture store that makes tables etc. out of old railway ties (beautiful wood!), it is in Elephant Walk at Sandton, called something like African Railway Woodworks (not the right name, but you get the idea ... sorry, I just walk around and visit, rarely get to spend more than a day or 2 in SA which isn't enough for such a beautiful country).

For shopping for artifacts & mementos, Kim Sacks gallery is a real standout... it's mentioned frequently but it's worth the hype. Kim herself is fabulous... she knows all about everything, including the traditional fabrics, the woven reed plates, and the modern ceramics.

If you want local fine art, check out the Soweto Art Gallery (http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=johannesburg@81&cur_section=sho). All the artists they represent are local, and while it takes a while to sort through the drawers & drawers of prints, drawings, and paintings, you can find a real treasure. (We did.)

One of my favorite up-to-the-minute city guides is The Economist's (http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=JOH)... it lists Kim Sacks address & phone number in its "Shopping" section, and its "Cultural Calendar" is always updated.

We tried a few of The Economist's restaurants suggestions too. Moyo (http://www.moyoafrica.co.za/) is pretty unbelievable, mostly for the American-style mixed-use mall/condo complex it's in. It's hard to believe you're in Africa. Dinner at The Saxon (http://www.thesaxon.com/) is definitely worth it too, not only for the superb food but also for the amazing building. (It easily rivals the Grace hotel.)

Enjoy!

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AIM: RutherfordMurray

Thank you both for the wonderful suggestions. I keep seeing "buy as much wine as your home country will let you import"--does this mean you should ship the wine to yourself or carry it on the plane????? Do you know how much wine we can import? And what about art?

Thank you!

The wine advice was when the Rand was 12 to the dollar, so those wines cost double what they used to ... not sure if that advice is still valid, and the top-notch wines have risen sharply in price. In the US they are readily available at a price comparable to shipping so personally I wouldn't bother, except for some very specific acquisitions (which I am definitely not putting out on public display). SA is fairly priced but no longer a bargain for US tourists.