Enjoy a ‘fusion’ of flavors at this new Ala Moana café

Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra is home to a new café. Well, new-ish — Fusion Café closed its Kaimukī location at the end of December, and just opened within Dada Spa Salon + Café.

Fusion took the space of a former café, but added some distinguishing features. The cozy space still features the café’s dark purple-and-brilliant gold color scheme. There’s also a divider between the café and Dada’s reception area, so the café feels more like its own entity.

While some of the signature drinks from the beverage menu are still the same — including the café’s iconic Fusion maple latte with cinnamon and brown sugar ($10) and ube latte, created with housemade ube syrup ($8) — its breakfast and lunch menus are completely different from before.

The café’s breakfast menu is now heavily focused on a variety of sweet and savory toasts. You can also find pastries like muffins ($5), scones ($5) and sourdough cinnamon rolls ($6), which come from Kaimukī-based Babes Bakery. Breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m.; the lunch menu is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The toast selection includes an avocado toast on sourdough bread ($15); brie and seasonal berries on milk bread with Waimānalo honey ($15); smoked salmon with herb cream cheese, capers, and pickled red onions on a half bagel ($15); egg salad toast ($15) and seasonal fruit tartine ($15).

Cheese lovers will enjoy the combo of brie, blueberries and raspberries on soft, pillowy milk bread. I especially loved the egg salad toast, complete with a fluffy egg salad mixture, bacon-onion jam, chives and chili crisp. The bacon-onion jam delivered the perfect salty-sweet flavor, with a hint of spice from the chili crisp.

The seasonal fruit tartine is currently mango with whipped-maple ricotta and macadamia streusel atop sourdough. It’s a breakfast that completely embodies summer, and will be available while supplies last.

If you’re craving something fruity and refreshing, the café’s acai bowl is sure to satisfy. Toppings include bananas, berries, granola and Nalo honey. The acai itself is refreshing but not too sweet, with lots of texture from the accompanying fruits and crunchy granola. 

If your timing is right, you might be able to snag a savory empanada that the café brings out in the late mornings, closer to lunch time. They’re available in limited quantities daily until they sell out. During our visit, beef and potato empanadas ($8 each) were being featured, and they come with a Colombian-style pico de gallo, which has a stronger vinegary flavor. The empanadas boast a golden fried exterior and a savory, beefy interior. Keep an eye out for the featured flavor of the day.

Starting this week, the café will open its bar from 3 to 5 p.m. Its happy hour menu will feature drinks only to start, but they’re aiming to launch the dinner menu by the end of June.

CONTACT
Fusion Café
410 Atkinson Drive third floor, Honolulu
fusion-café.com
Instagram: @fusionalamoana 
Open daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.