Fuzion 99 Restaurant Lounge

For the purpose of good feng shui, and harmonious fusion, we are told "99" is required in the name. While there is no indication on the door that this is a restaurant, inside we find a surprisingly ornate lounge and dining room of pastel colour and light.

The menu lists many appealing items. Reasonable pricing enables a variety of choices. A healthy mound of shredded Chicken Tinga ($9.99) and Mexican chorizo cooked in tomato-based chipotle salsa has a good kick of spice, and we enjoy scooping each tasty bite with accompanying nachos. Frito Misto ($12.99) is, like all the dishes here, a generous portion. However, the fried calamari, shrimp and cassava are bland, and while the red onion mojo dip provides flavour, it is too spicy for the average palate.

A convenient option for trying new dishes is the Mixed Platter ($24.99) of chicharrón, empanadas, guacamole, nachos, and ceviche. The chicharrón, crisp sliced pork rind enveloped in white corn cakes, like soft tacos, makes a crunchy little sandwich. But it lacks the spice or salt that we would expect. Empanadas are filling patties of tasty ground meat, and are the saving grace of this dish. There is too much lime in the ceviche, so much that all we taste is sour lime. Guacamole suffers the same fate. Our waiter explains it's because the Veracruz lime is very juicy. Fine, but a good guacamole should never be overwhelmed by any one ingredient. He promptly returns with another, but it too, has an imbalance of flavours.

At this point we are wondering where the fusion is. Fusion implies a blending of styles. We look over the menu again and conclude that while both Latin and Italian dishes are offered, there is no actual fusion of these two cuisines.

Our friendly waiter recommends we try the Entrana ($20.99). The 6 oz sliced skirt steak is grilled in chimichurri sauce, and is apparently a popular item here. However, more than chimichurri, it tastes weighted in butter.

All the elements are in place for a delicious menu and a relaxing lounge, but at the moment this fusion needs balance.

Fuzion 99
Price: Reasonable. By the way, each menu price ends in 99.
Atmosphere: casual
Surprise Surprise: Cross-over-Latin-mix-music from 11pm to 2am
Hint: from 11pm to 2am only appetizers

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