When Sweet Lowdown opened in late 2006 in the heart of happening Midtown, the economy was humming along. And so a sprawling bi-level bar-restaurant that resembled a nightclub — and featured a quirky New South menu (with items such as smoked chicken and collard green spring rolls and black-eyed pea cassoulet) executed by a chef from Philadelphia — didn't seem so weird. But the chef, Carmen Cappello, quickly departed, and Sweet Lowdown soon faltered, then finally closed in early in 2008.
Nowadays, Capello is running the Lamplighter, a hip hole-in-the-wall near Grant Park, where he shows off his Philly roots serving up the likes of a monster burger laden with fried egg and scrapple.
And the Sweet Lowdown space is presently home to Artistry, another kind of concept that, sadly, seems to be fizzling rather than sizzling, hindered by an eclectic menu that's a tad too predictable.
Food, music, art
The idea behind Artistry would seem to be apparent in its motto: "Food, Music, Art." But on a recent weeknight visit, the only music was the recorded background kind, a mix of Christmas standards and soft jazz. Art lights dangling from the ceiling, a wall of flexible hardwood manikins tacked to the wall in various poses, and a few large paintings hung at the back of the room, were the only works on display. The spacious downstairs dining and bar area has been redone in a pleasantly glitzy urban look, with a variety of seating options, including plush upholstered banquettes, a curved bar, and a sidewalk patio that looks onto Peachtree Street. The upstairs space is often reserved for events and private parties.Taste the blend
"Taste the Blend" is another Artistry motto, though, exactly what that means is open to debate — not to mention bad jokes, like, "taste the bland," as one diner suggested. The lunch and dinner menus are similar, except that prices go up during the evening hours. Offerings range from soups, salads, and appetizers, to sandwiches, entrees with sides, and desserts. Crab cakes (served in $13, single appetizer or $26, double entree portions) are under seasoned and mushy. Ditto the breading on a fried, marinara and mozzerella-topped, chicken breast in the chicken parmesan sandwich. A steak sandwich ($14) features a nice hunk of char-grilled New York strip (also available as a $27 entree), but it's better without the generic soft hoagie roll. What the menu calls "garlic mashed potato wedges" are simply English-style chips with a hint of garlic seasoning. Crab mac 'n' cheese is a generous portion of creamy pasta and bubbly cheese baked in a ramekin dish. The popular Sunday brunch brings out crowds for the $15 all-you-can-eat buffet and $15 bottomless mimosas.AT A GLANCE
• Where: 942 Peachtree Street NE, 404-888-0101
• Signature dishes: Sunday brunch, bottomless mimosas
• Entree prices: $18-$27
• Hours: Dinner: 5-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5 p.m.- midnight Fridays-Saturdays. Lunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Brunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. Bar open late.
• Reservations: Yes
• Credit cards: Yes
• Online: www.artistrylife.com
