RESTAURANT REVIEW: FUSION 9, HYDERABAD

For ladies who lunch... But not all that well.



The Bar at Fusion 9

Fusion 9 has managed to stay afloat in the constantly changing restaurantscape of Hyderabad for quite a while. Thanks to the hordes of Hyderabadis descending from foreign shores with exotic tastes, eating and drinking places are always opening in the city. Unfortunately, apart from a few restaurants most of these joints are just hope and ambition without substance or expertise. When I went back to Hyderabad this December I thought I’d check in on Fusion 9 and its weekend brunch.

Part of the platter of appetizers brought to our table

LOOKS LIKE

Fusion 9 is a charming space. I mean no disrespect when I say it feels like Good Earth vomited all over it. Dark wood floors with white accents, a central island bar with brightly painted tile and common boho feminine accents like fairy lights and birdcages with flowers make this the kind of place ladies will feel compelled to lunch.

The Buffet Table

TASTES LIKE

The good news first. The starters brought to our table were generous and well done. The spread at the buffet had been selected with discretion and good taste - adorable knotted dinner rolls with a cheese platter, a salad bar, little snack-y things like devilled eggs, olives and puff pastries with vegetable and chicken fillings and 2 heavier curry options. This makes for a really pretty display (my photo isn’t doing the scene justice) but I would have really appreciated if the chef had put in a quarter of the effort into checking for flavor instead. There was a point in the middle of brunch where I wondered if I was trapped in a doll house and eating picture perfect plastic food.

 

I love taking photos of bread!

 The trend continues with dessert, the selection being visually impressive but disappointing from a gustatory perspective. What looked like soft, warm chocolate was hard and chalky and the seemingly flaky pastry was impossible to slice through. Using too much sugar to hide the absence of texture and flavor is a poor con in dessert making.

The Dessert Buffet

 FEELS LIKE

In keeping with the superficial approach towards food Fusion 9 demonstrated equally half baked service. 

 

 

Impossible to slice through.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Should you go: Don’t bother unless you can’t think of another option

Vegetarian Options: Yes

Liquor License: Yes

Smoking Area: No

Address: 1st Avenue, Road 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad

Phone: 040 65577722, 040 65577755