Something Spectacular Comes This Way

Julie Keating

October 6, 2020

Fuse Set to Open in Downtown Aiken Pre-Halloween

If there is a worse time to consider remodeling an old building, taking on the expense of upscaling a commercial kitchen, and opening a prime space restaurant in the downtown Aiken area, I can’t imagine when it would be. But Fuse has persevered through the COVID-19 era storm and will soon be coming out the other end, with an opening date yet to be determined but estimated before Halloween 2020. Chef “Naj,” as Chris Najmola is affectionately known, is excited to bring his innovative culinary taste to the Aiken community.

Aiken is Exactly the Community Chef Chris was Searching for

Chris chose Aiken specifically because of the makeup of our community. He was looking for a worldly group of people to come to his table. His roots combine a Polish upbringing with old Southern niceties — just the mixture of experiences that blend to create his unique twist on tastes and flavors.

Nose to Tail – Farm to Table Concept

The restaurant is committed to community, nose to tail appreciation, and organic and seasonal vegetables from local farmers when possible. Anyone who has the opportunity to talk to Chef Naj can see the enthusiasm brimming with every word he uses to describe his cooking, his experiences, and his excitement at starting this new venture in the Downtown Alley of Aiken. Although Fuse will be new to Ai-ken, it made quite a splash in its previous location in Augusta, which is sad to see it go. The restaurant has no doubt that its Augusta patrons will drive the extra couple of miles to join the Aiken community.

What is Fuse Serving up?

The idea behind Fuse cuisine is to take food back to its origins, from heritage grains grown from seed to using peak seasonal farm-grown produce. Our culture has be-come accustomed to changing things to make them more simplistic and easy, but Chris wants to bring quality, originality, and full flavor back to the table. And being his humble self, everyone in his kitchen has a say and is highly encouraged to add brush stroke to the canvas and make every plate a masterpiece.

Everyone Comes to the Table to Share a Meal

For Fuse, coming to Aiken isn’t just about setting up shop and inviting people to come and join. Everyone who walks into Fuse is invited to sit at the table and come together as a community. And Chris’s aspirations don’t stop at Fuse’s door — he intends to showcase a vast number of different styles, tastes, and celebrations around the entire Aiken area. We are all highly anticipating the opening, which for now is estimated to be about mid-October. Stop in and meet the staff of Fuse and welcome them to our community. Their engagement in Aiken is not only welcomed, it is highly anticipated!

Something Spectacular Comes This Way | Palmetto Bella

Julie Keating

A writer by trade, and a mother of six, Julie Keating joins Bella as the Digital Director. When she was growing up in the midwest, Southern girls fascinated her. The way that they sauntered around, the sweet tones that came from their mouths, and the effortless way that they made even the most cutting phrases sound charming were all mystifying. Now that she lives in the South, Julie sees that there is something so much more underneath “Bella.” Bella isn’t about being from a certain area or having an accent; it is the way that a woman carries herself with grace and confidence, the way she uses her femininity in such a way that she commands respect.

Julie Keating

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