Emeryville, CA (May 5, 2009) - Fuzio Universal Bistro, known for its eclectic global menu and colorful martinis, opened its doors at 5959 Shellmound St. in the East Bay’s Emeryville this week.

The 3,000 square foot Fuzio Universal Bistro is a new kind of restaurant and one that serves to bridge the gap between casual dining and fast casual by providing speedy table service, unique diverse food and reasonable prices.

“We have long heard the East Bay wants a Fuzio of their own so Emeryville was the perfect central spot,” says Allen Beebe, owner of Fuzio Universal Bistro. “There’s no one out there that serves our kind of food for people
who are pressed for time and on a budget. You can be in and out in less than a half hour, or you can take your time with a bottle of wine or one of our special martinis. You can have all types of experiences at Fuzio. ”

The menu at Fuzio is filled with universally appealing tastes and flavors. Firecracker Pork Fusilli put Fuzio on the map back in 1996 and the restaurant has since expanded its line of the spicy dish to include items like Firecracker Lettuce Wraps and Firecracker Slyders. The restaurant’s bistro fare includes items like: Shanghai Noodles with lemon grass and red curry; Blue Cheese
Chicken Salad with Fuji apples; Caramelized Mushroom Linguine with arugula and basil; Italian Steak with red peppers and pomodoro sauce; Chicken Parmesan with provolone.

The restaurant has a full bar and a Technicolor array of signature martinis like its “Fuziotini” made with vodka and chambord. The wine list is presented in a cutting edge format that allows diners to choose wine for its flavor characteristics and not price. The three-tiered list sets fixed prices for glasses or bottles of “light bodied”, “medium bodied” or “full bodied” wines.

Menu prices range from $4.50-$14.25. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Kelly Toomey will be Fuzio’s general manager. He can be reached at 510-594-8450.

Fuzio Universal Bistro is owned by Allen Beebe and Paul Draper of Modesto-based CALMEX, INC. Fuzio veteran, Stacy Mald, is managing director. There are 13 Fuzio Universal Bistros in California, Missouri and Nevada. Fuzio first opened its doors to hungry diners in San Francisco’s Castro district in 1996. For more information contact Leslie Liberatore, Hot Skillet Productions 415-699-2524 or visit www.fuzio.com.