Fusíon Restaurant & Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés

Do you crave more than an English breakfast on holiday? At Gran Canaria Local, we share our favourite restaurants. One of which is the very antitheis of what you would expect to find in the island’s Playa del Inglés.

Gran Canaria Local first heard of David Gibson following his pioneering work in Arguineguín. Where he brought authentic south-eastern Asian cuisine to what was then very much a provinicial backwater. So, we were keen to visit his newer Fusíon Restaurant and Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés.

Arriving hot and sweaty from a bike tour, we were immediately refreshed. By the air-conditioning that keeps you cool, even in the height of the summer. This worked well in tandem with a chilling glass of Burton-upon-Trent’s finest, Cobra. Here are three things we now know following our late lunch at Fusíon Restaurant and Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés:

1. Fusíon’s two parts restaurant to one part lounge
2. Spring rolls don’t have to be deep-fried
3. Fusíon Restaurant & Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés’ setting is historic

1. Fusíon’s two parts restaurant to one part lounge

Fusíon Restaurant and Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés manager Seier Askaryar’s welcome’s as warm as the weather. He reveals how Fusíon’s divided into a main restaurant area and a lounge where people can come for a drink. Which explains the music, very much of the chill-out variety rather than the boom!-shake-the-room one.

Seier’s in charge of the running order of tracks, regularly updating the restaurant’s Spotify playlist. The manager’s happy to answer questions. And indeed ask them, as Mr GCL and he swap names of their favourite eateries in the north and south of the island.

Because of Fusíon’s central location in Playa del Inglés, it garners plenty of passing trade. However, Seier reveals that it also attracts plenty of repeat business. Whether that be people working in the neighbouring Yumbo or holidaymakers, Askarayar calculates that 8 in 10 first-time visitors return.

Mr Gran Canaria Local always makes a point of visiting the toilets in a restaurant, even if he doesn’t need to go. His argument is that if a restaurant can’t keep its lavatories clean, how can you expect them to be bothered about kitchen cleanliness? Mr GCL’s pleased to report that Fusíon’s gentlemens’ toilet’s spotless.

2. Spring rolls don’t have to be deep-fried

You know a David Gibson business is going to succeed because David Gibson’s there at the coalface. He comes out to talk to Mr Gran Canaria Local in his kitchen whites. Explaining that his love of south-east Asian cuisine came from travelling in the region.

Fusíon’s all about challenging preconceptions. Whether that be in pointing out to diners who complain their spring roll is cold, that that’s the way they traditionally serve them in Indonesia. And the raw ingredients which remain an uncooked filling offer a more natural crunch to an admittedly bemused Mr GCL.

Or it’s in riffing on classic dishes. So Fusíon’s take on crème brûlée includes both mango and ginger. Nothing like incorporating fresh, seasonal produce is there? Mangoes have just come into season on Gran Canaria.

Mr Gran Canaria Local makes the fatal error of asking for extra spices to add at his leisure/pleasure. Forgetting the obvious flaw in his plans. What goes in must come out, after all.

They’re an accommodating bunch in Fusíon Restaurant & Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés. David and his assistant chef can adapt menus if you’re vegetarian, vegan, or gluten intolerant. So David prepares a veggie-friendly version of the menu’s Thai Yellow Seafood Curry for fussy, old Mr GCL.

3. Fusíon Restaurant & Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés’ historic setting

Before Fusíon Restaurant & Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés opened in the area, this space was occupied by the Hong Kong restaurant. Whilst this classic eatery had become a little bit tired, it marked a culinary revolution back in the day. Seeing at it was the first Asian restaurant to open in the resort, in 1971.

This side of the new millennium, it’s David Gibson who’s cooking up a storm. Whether it be with his Spicy Pork Meatballs or his Asian-Glazed Sirlon Steak. This is comfort food with an edge.

Disclaimer: Mr Gran Canaria Local received a complimentary lunch at Fusíon Restaurant and Lounge Bar Playa del Inglés. However, it was part of another long working day for Mr GCL. If you’re after a Gran Canaria Local review for your restaurant, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.