This was meant to be my last article in QUICK but it didn’t make the final issue.  RIP QUICK! We’ll miss you … and the former Fuse.

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Up until about a year ago, Fuse was one of my favorite places in Dallas.  Their rooftop bar couldn’t be beat; it had it all, a bar, misters, a pool (you weren’t allowed to swim in it, I learned that the hard way), and even pagodas with mattresses to make the best place to have a small party or meet-up in Dallas. Please note the use of past tense.
 
In December the boom was lowered; Fuse was closing to renovate and reopen with a new concept.  Rumors spread like wildfire about what the “new concept” would be.  Some said it would be a hamburger joint concept by O Bar, others said it was just closing completely, along with about another dozen or so ideas.  We finally found out what the “new concept was”, which wasn’t a new concept at all, but new owners, a new menu, and a completely new feel.
 
The Scene:  They don’t have a website, but they do have a Facebook page with spotty updates, awkward pictures, and severely limited information about the restaurant/bar itself.  The look of the restaurant hasn’t changed a bit – bamboo, dark cement, and Asian-feeling curtains to give it some mystery … they almost had me duped.
 
I ventured to Fuse Japan with a veritable motley crew of drinking buddies, and once we arrived and ascended the bamboo-lined staircase to the second floor bar (on our own accord as there was a noticeably-empty host stand), we expected to see $30,000 millionaires and their floozies waving their Discover cards at the bartender barking to be served;  but what we saw was not only a shock, but a disappointment.  A couple hangers-on were at the bar and a few patrons were milling around by the pool.  We chose a table outside next to a lovely chair swing with a great view that was far away from the questionably-smelling misting fans.
 
The drink:  After waiting a good while for a waitress, I sought one out and ordered a round.  When she brought them, we were informed that they closed ½ hour before and the round in her hot, little hands would be our one and only.  Feeling bad for dragging my friends out for one drink, I decided to pick up the tab.  Expecting a $45 tab (as I am of the former Fuse school of thought), I was amazed when the tab was a mere $16.25.  Apparently, Fuse Japan offers a great reverse happy hour from 10 p.m. to close along with their standard happy hour from 5-7 p.m. – finally, a redeeming quality.
 
After the drinks were slurped, I took a poll of the drink strength using my usual scale (1 is all mixer and 5 is all liquor à la The Loon).  The result: an average of 1.68 between the five of us.  Not great seeing as they all came out a little wrong – a lemon here, a mixer there.
 
What people are wearing: the dress was much more casual than the former Fuse, mostly cotton dresses and some simple cover-ups with the faint smell of chlorine.
 
The food:  Hoping I could get an order of the brisket potstickers that I have dreamt of since my first Fuse experience in , I was told that the entire menu was new.  The food pales in comparison to the former Fuse’s beautifully constructed and imagined sushi and oriental-cum-Texas dishes.

I will take advantage of their “Taco Tuesday” where you can get tacos for a mere dollar, but you all are painfully aware of my cheap streak.

The music:  The music was mostly the catchy-pop a la Lady Gaga and new Britney; music cliche enough not to offend but upbeat enough to keep customers awake.

Parking:  You can either use their valet or park in one of the pay gratuitous amounts to pay in the garages in the area.

The bottom line:   If you were a fan of the former Fuse, stay away as your memories of the swanky fusion food and drink heaven will be forever spoiled.  
Newbies: have at it, but only during reverse happy hour.

Fuse Japan
Facebook Page
1512 Commerce Street, Suite 100 | (214)742-3873

Specials:
Happy hour: 5-7 p.m., 10 p.m. – close
Taco Tuesday: $1 tacos (minimum 3)
Daily food specials

Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-11pm
Friday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-12am
Saturday: 5pm-12am