'We need something new': Peoria Heights restaurant has reopened with refreshed name, menu
The beginning of 2024 saw the end of Edge American Fusion.
On Jan. 2, the Peoria Heights business announced plans to enter “a new era.” Just under a month later, the new vision for the space has come to fruition.
Fusion 45 opened its doors to the community on Jan. 30. The restaurant aims to meld the atmosphere of the 12 Bar Lounge − situated on the rooftop level of the same building − with an approachable yet elevated menu.
“We're very excited to see all of our hard work from the past month kind of come to life…” said manager Cass Hubble. “So, there's a lot of excitement from our whole staff on the restaurant opening, and I've got customers excited, and I think it'll be good.”
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‘We need something new’
The Peoria Heights space – situated at 4500 N. Prospect Road – was formerly home to Edge by Chef Dustin Allen. The business opened in Junction City just over a decade ago before transitioning to its most recent home in 2017.
At Edge, Allen brought a focus on fresh, farm-to-table dishes to the menu. This dedication to locally sourced products continued through the COVID-19 pandemic when he introduced Provisions by Edge.
Allen retired from the restaurant roughly a year ago, according to Michelle Hubble. She is the owner of the 12 Bar Lounge and Fusion 45.
“Dustin made an amazing impact in our community,” she said. “He gave back a lot. Part of the reason we were good business partners together was because he was community minded.”
Michelle said the goal was to honor Allen after his departure. So, the business initially changed the name to Edge American Fusion.
At the same time, Michelle wanted shift from a space primarily for special outings to a restaurant that is also “perfect for the everyday.” The business worked to update its offerings and even closed in August and September 2023 for a “complete menu overhaul.”
As the restaurant transitioned, however, manager Cortney Atkins said customers continued to inquire about Allen. Along with this, Michelle said much of the negative feedback she saw focused on the fact that Allen was no longer involved.
Atkins said, ultimately, it was time to step out from “under the shadow of Dustin.”
“Cortney does an amazing job listening to the customers,” Michelle said. “The customers spoke, and they said, ‘We need something new. We need something vibrant,’ because the food that (chef) Russ was putting out is phenomenal and it's time to let him shine.”
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Creating ‘a fun, vibrant menu’
Michelle said Russell Trockur began as a line chef at the restaurant roughly three years ago. Over time, he worked his way up to sous chef and now, Michelle said “he’s ready to lead” as the executive chef.
Manager Cass Hubble − who is Michelle's daughter − said Trockur draws inspiration from a diverse culinary background after having served in the marines. Cass said the menu features a “fusion” of these various styles and cultures.
“Fusion 45 is giving him that platform to really bring to life a fun, vibrant menu and really bring forth flavors of across the globe,” Michelle said.
The restaurant’s online menu includes dishes such as:
Duck a l’orange with orange gastrique and a wild rice stir fry.
Harmony chicken – which features a roasted dry brined chicken, asparagus and garlic potatoes.
Ocean Symphony – which includes saffron rice, red pepper coulis and a red snapper fillet.
Chorizo Bolognese with rigatoni, tomato meat sauce and slow cooked chorizo.
Squid Ink pasta with Scallops – which includes garlic butter scallops and red pepper coulis.
The restaurant also offers various starters, salads and desserts.
Cass described the menu as approachable but said Trockur has also created “very unique” dishes that customers would not typically find at most restaurants. Along with this, Atkins said customers will be able to find new specials each week.
For Michelle, the goal is to draw in both the everyday diner and those who are out for special occasions. Cass said this diversity of menu options will be reflected in the prices, as well.
“We've got those $17-18 dishes downstairs, but we've also got your ribeye and your New York strip and your more expensive dishes,” Cass said.
At Fusion 45, customers will also find a variety of wines and specialty cocktails, such as a rum old fashioned and a cucumber martini.
“We've done a lot of research on how we can match our cocktails to the new elevated menu downstairs and I think it will be very cool to have a very fun, refreshing cocktail menu,” Cass said. “It'll be very different than 12 Bar’s.”
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Bringing 12 Bar's atmosphere downstairs
While the food and drink menu differ from the 12 Bar Lounge, the spaces offer a similar atmosphere.
Michelle said she wanted to move away from the previously industrial style and create a setting that “is now very spice filled” and matches the “vibrancy” of upstairs. Cass said many 12 Bar customers are very excited to visit the new restaurant.
"People loved the atmosphere of upstairs and they've always asked, 'Hey, can I order something from downstairs and have it brought up?'" Cass said. "We won't have to do that anymore because you can have the same atmosphere downstairs."
On one of the restaurant’s walls, glass blown plates are decoratively hung as a centerpiece.
Michelle said the dishes had been purchased years ago and were tucked away in the restaurant. She said, initially, she considered selling the plates. After cleaning them off and taking a look at them, however, she realized the melded colors and designs fit with the new concept perfectly.
"I think the name Fusion has been hiding in our restaurant for the last seven years," Michelle said, "and we just didn't know it."
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Heights restaurant brings 'something new' to former Edge space
