A Fondue Restaurant Experience: What To Expect

Fondue restaurants offer a unique dining experience centred around the Swiss dish of melted cheese and wine, served in a communal pot. The dish was popularised in North America during the 1960s and 70s, and while its popularity has since waned, there are still fondue restaurants to be found across the US. At these restaurants, diners can expect to find a variety of fondue options, from the traditional cheese fondue to chocolate fondue and fondue bourguignonne, where pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth. The experience is interactive and social, with diners using long-stemmed forks to dip pieces of bread, vegetables, meat or other snacks into the communal pot.

Fondue history and origins

Fondue, derived from the French verb "fondre", meaning "to melt", originated in 18th-century Switzerland as a way for farm families to make the most of their limited resources during the winter months. The traditional Swiss dish consists of stale bread dipped in a mixture of hardened cheese and wine, softening the bread and creating a hearty and frugal meal.

The first written recipes for fondue appeared in 18th-century cookbooks from France and Belgium, which featured Gruyère, a Swiss cheese. However, the term "cheese fondue" originally referred to a dish of scrambled eggs with cheese, truffles, or cream, as mentioned in Vincent La Chapelle's 1735 cookbook, Cuisinier moderne. The first known recipe for the modern cheese fondue, without eggs, was published in 1875 and was presented as a Swiss national dish.

In the 1930s, the Swiss Cheese Union promoted fondue as Switzerland's national dish to increase cheese consumption. After World War II, the Swiss Cheese Union resumed its campaign, sending fondue sets to military regiments and event organisers across the country. Fondue was also introduced to Americans at the Swiss Pavilion's Alpine restaurant at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

While cheese fondue is the traditional variety, the term "fondue" has been generalised to other dishes with a similar style of communal eating. For example, fondue bourguignonne features pieces of meat cooked in hot oil or broth, while fondue au chocolat consists of fruit, pastry, or other treats dipped in melted chocolate.

What to expect from a fondue menu

A fondue menu can be a fun and interactive dining experience, and you can expect a variety of options to choose from. Here's what you can typically expect from a fondue menu:

Cheese Fondue:

The classic Swiss cheese fondue is a popular option and typically consists of a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasonings. Common cheese varieties used include Gruyère, Emmentaler, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Fontina. The cheese is melted and served in a communal pot, and guests can dip pieces of bread, vegetables, or other snacks using long-stemmed forks. Some modern variations include adding beer instead of wine or using different types of cheese.

Cooking Style Options:

When ordering a fondue meal, you will often have the option to choose your cooking style. This refers to the broth or liquid used to cook your main course proteins and vegetables. Common options include court bouillon, vegetable broth, or red wine. Each cooking style adds a unique flavor to your fondue experience.

Main Course Options:

For the main course, you can expect a variety of proteins and vegetables to cook in your chosen broth or oil. Common protein options include shrimp, steak, chicken, pork, and lobster. Some restaurants may also offer vegetarian or vegan options, such as tofu, mushroom ravioli, or cheese ravioli. Your main course will be served with additional dipping sauces, such as Green Goddess (a mix of cream cheese and sour cream), teriyaki, ginger plum, or horseradish.

Chocolate Fondue:

No fondue meal is complete without a sweet finish. Chocolate fondue is a popular choice for dessert, and you can expect a variety of dippers to accompany the melted chocolate. Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and apples, are often served, along with sweet treats like marshmallows, pound cake, brownies, and Rice Krispie treats. Some restaurants may also offer unique flavor variations, such as salted caramel, bananas foster, or chocolate spiked with liqueurs.

Additional Courses:

Some fondue restaurants offer multiple-course dining experiences, allowing you to indulge in a full fondue feast. In addition to the cheese and chocolate fondues, you may find options for appetizer or salad courses. These can include seasonal options like a summer salad or classic options like a Caesar salad.

Fondue cooking styles

Cheese fondue typically consists of a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasoning, heated and melted together in a communal pot. The traditional Swiss cheese fondue uses Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses, while other varieties may include cheddar, Swiss cheese, or a mix of multiple cheeses. Bread is the classic dipping food for cheese fondue, but vegetables, apples, and cured meats are also popular options.

Chocolate fondue, on the other hand, involves melting chocolate and mixing it with other ingredients to create a sweet and indulgent treat. Dark, milk, or white chocolate can be used as a base, and additional flavours such as mint, amaretto, or crème de menthe can be added. Fresh fruit, cake, marshmallows, and pastries are commonly used as dippers for chocolate fondue.

Meat fondue, or fondue bourguignonne, is a style of fondue where pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth. This style of fondue may have originated with medieval French vineyard workers, but it gained popularity in the 20th century when it was recreated by a chef at a New York restaurant. Common meats used in fondue bourguignonne include cubed steak, chicken, shrimp, and sausage, which are cooked in the hot oil or broth and then dipped in various sauces.

In addition to these classic styles, there are also some unique variations of fondue. For example, the Swiss restaurant Stable offers a fondue made with Bulgarian sheep's milk cheese, while the Fondue Stube in Chicago has a cream cheese lox fondue served with bagel dippers.

Fondue etiquette

The Basics

When eating fondue, it is important to remember that the proper way to eat it is to use the long fondue fork to dip and then place the food on your plate. Then, use your regular fork to eat. Do not eat directly from the fondue fork. To avoid cross-contamination, do not place any raw meat on your plate.

The Host

As a host, it is your responsibility to remind your guests that they should not eat directly from the fondue fork. It is also important to note that there should be no double-dipping.

The Guest

If you are a guest at a fondue dinner, it is important to listen to the host's instructions on how to eat the fondue. It is also polite to ask the host if you are unsure about anything. It is considered good manners to offer to help with the preparation or clean-up.

The Dippers

When choosing what foods to dip in the fondue, it is important to consider the type of fondue being served. For example, if you are serving cheese fondue, it is traditional to dip bread, vegetables, or other snacks. If you are serving chocolate fondue, it is common to dip fruit or pastry. It is also important to ensure that you have enough dippers for all your guests and that there is a variety to choose from.

The Drinks

When choosing drinks to accompany your fondue, it is recommended to pair it with white wine or black tea. If you are looking for something stronger, spirits can be consumed during or after the meal, but be aware that alcohol may delay gastric emptying and prolong the feeling of fullness.

How to host a fondue party at home

Hosting a fondue party at home can be a fun and unique dining experience for you and your guests. Here is a guide to help you create a memorable fondue party:

Planning the Fondue Menu:

• Cheese Fondue: The classic Swiss cheese fondue is made with a combination of Gruyère and white wine. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Fontina, Gouda, or Cheddar, and add ingredients like brandy and nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
• Broth or Hot Oil Fondue: If you want to offer a main course, you can provide a pot of hot oil or broth for cooking meat and vegetables. This adds variety to your fondue party and allows your guests to cook their food to their desired doneness.
• Dessert Fondue: For a sweet ending to your meal, you can prepare a chocolate fondue. Melt dark or milk chocolate and offer a variety of dippers such as fresh fruit, cake, marshmallows, or pound cake.

Setting Up the Fondue Table:

• Use a cordless fondue pot to place in the center of the table, allowing all guests easy access to the melted cheese or chocolate.
• Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small appetizer plate. If you're serving a side dish or salad, consider using larger dinner plates.
• Arrange various dippers on large platters or boards around the fondue pot. For a cheese fondue, you can offer bite-sized bread, apples, cured meats, shrimp, steak, sausage, and a variety of fresh or cooked vegetables.

Fondue Etiquette:

• Remind your guests to use the long fondue fork to dip their food into the pot and then place it on their small plate. They should use their regular fork to eat the food from the plate.
• To avoid cross-contamination, guests should not eat directly from the fondue fork and should avoid double-dipping.
• Secure the cords of electric pots to prevent any accidents or spills.
• Provide each guest with two forks so they can cook one item in the broth or oil and use the other fork for dipping in the cheese.
• Explain how fondue works, especially if your guests are new to the experience, to ensure they follow food safety practices and proper fork usage.

Additional Tips:

• Don't overdo it with too many varieties of meat, sides, or sauces. Stick to a few options to keep the preparation and cleanup manageable and to avoid overwhelming your guests.
• Be mindful of the number of guests you invite. Fondue parties work best with smaller groups, as managing multiple pots and cords can become logistically challenging with a large crowd.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a small ceramic dish or cast-iron pot to serve the cheese fondue, ensuring it has a heat source underneath to keep it warm.

Frequently asked questions