Grand Fusion Restaurant Paisley dinner review

Suzanne Oswald heads along to Paisley’s long awaited new Grand Fusion restaurant for authentic Asian cuisine

Some of you may remember the Palace Royale on Moss Street, a restaurant that seized the hearts of many Paisley residents with its delicious Chinese cuisine and warm hospitality. Now, forty years on, Winnie Ip is following in the illustrious footsteps of her parents with the opening of the fantastic Grand Fusion. 

Working alongside her husband Kenneth, the brand-new restaurant – which is situated in the heart of Paisley, in exactly the same location once owned by her parents – has been a labour of love for the couple.

Having invested heavily in building and renovation work to get to where it is today, I’m delighted to report that its long-awaited opening has been well and truly worth the wait. 

To say that the Grand Fusion’s menu is extensive would be an understatement. For lovers of Chinese food, literally all bases are covered here. On one side, you’ll find your familiar dishes, while on the other you’ll find the ‘special dinner menu’ – offering a highly unique array of starters, seafood, clay pot dishes and stir fries that will whet the appetite of the more adventurous.

Photo by Charlotte Graham ©Mill Magazine

Far removed from what we would consider traditional British Chinese cuisine, Winnie and Kenneth informed us that they want to highlight a more authentic side of Chinese food, and ‘bring the essence of the East to the heart of Paisley’. On top of this, their newly launched and hearteningly extensive plant-based menu ensures that everyone is well catered for. 

What’s immediately clear is that a great deal of thought and care has gone into every aspect of the Grand Fusion – from its carefully crafted menu and fresh array of ingredients to its impeccable service. Each member of staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, exhibiting an immense sense of pride and enthusiasm in every dish that was delivered. 

As designated driver, I followed Winnie’s advice and opted for a fruity and refreshing ‘French Fancy’ mocktail, while my dining partner Julie opted for a trusty glass of Pinot Grigio. 

Photo by Charlotte Graham ©Mill Magazine

Then, after much toing and froing, we decided it would be remiss not to sample something new given the opportunity. Never ones to shy away from expanding our culinary horizons, we chose a starter of five spice beef slices (£9) from the special menu and a quarter portion of aromatic duck (£15.50) from the traditional side. The former was a cold dish, featuring thinly sliced portions of beef doused in a slightly sweet, moreish five spice sauce.

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Meanwhile, the aromatic duck, which was carefully shredded in front of us, arrived with the familiar accompaniments of neatly sliced threads of cucumber and spring onion; a small dish of delicious, sweet and salty hoisin sauce; and a generous portion of transparent and coaster-sized pancakes. A long-standing crowd pleaser in the Oswald residence, it’s safe to say this was another winner – light, crispy, and packed with flavour. 

As for the main course, we decided to broach new territory with sea bass and Thai chilli. Coated in a light batter, the whole deboned fish was served in all its glory with a fresh array of vegetables and sticky, sweet chilli sauce. Striking a delicate balance of flavour, it was a definite triumph. 

Photo by Charlotte Graham ©Mill Magazine

The star of the show however was the chicken satay, with Julie declaring it “the best satay sauce I’ve ever had”. Darker and richer than satay sauces we’ve perhaps become accustomed to, the peanut-flavoured accompaniment was moreish in every sense of the word – offering a welcome spicy kick when lathered over the perfectly cooked skewers. Consider these diners suitably impressed – so much so that we took some home. 

A fantastic addition to Paisley’s food scene, Grand Fusion is undoubtedly filling a long-held gap in the area for those who prefer heading out for their Chinese and receiving the full dining experience, as opposed to the tried and tested takeaway. Above all else, it’s delivered with real warmth and passion. Already garnering rave reviews from locals, we suggest you don’t wait any longer to give it a visit. 

Grand Fusion, 8 Moss Street, Paisley, PA1 1BL, book now via the website. Prices correct at time of publishing.