La Fondue

When I called for my reservation I was kindly told that patio seating was all that was available this seemed fine. I would find out later that this would be a mistake as the inside dcor is necessary to distract you from what they are serving at the prices they are serving it at.Hype is what they are serving and boy at a price. It starts at the parking lot ($6), then $9 for a cocktail (which you are going to need because the wait in between to see your waiter and bus boy are long ones). The $30 cheese fondue, $10 salad, $50 meat choices, $20 dessert. $175.00 with tip. We couldn't help but think this meal must cost you no more than $20 granted someone should be paying for the stove and lucite chairs we were sitting in and then there is all that slicing.I told the waiter to express to the chef (?) ( food cutter or meat marinader) who ever is back there that the teriaki meat was beyond salty. Word did get to someone that came to the table to confirm it was salty. No concession was made only an apologize and so all I could do was to drink as much water as I could and carry on.The most disturbing part of the meal other than the too bright overhead lights on the front patio was the fact that our finished dishes sat for at least twenty minutes before they were cleared. When they were finally cleared the technique is to stack the plates with the food on them in front of you. Flatware and food still on them and some sauce dishes on the very top to finish it off. Does anyone use a tray here? I have never eaten in an army barracks but my guess is they use this same technique of clearing dishes off the table. We were not the only ones...stack started to appear at all the tables. For what we were paying we did not need to see this.My hope was the chocolate fondue would help me forget all else and I could leave with a smile on my face ....not. Evidently, our fondue never did steam as the waiter checked back three times (he would not leave the goodies till the steam started). Come to find out there was never any water in the pot. As it slowly burned in front of us we desperately try to flag someone to turn it off. We finished off our most expensive tasting marshmellows and headed for the door ( or wait we are already outside the door). As we left I couldn't help but notice the cocktail glasses from the beginning of the meal were still there still full of ice.

Posted 02/24/09 | Report Abuse

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This place is excellent as a date night. Excellent choice of cheese fondues and meat grills. Has a nice little romantic setting and the meals are perfect for 2 people.

The salad, which i recommend the chef is extremely large, it was a meal in itself, then the cheese fondue was amazing it was sooo tasty, although, I do love chedder cheese, they have a other cheeses to choose from.

Lastly the meats, there were sooo many, and quite a different taste, because antelope crocodile and alligator I've never tried before but its on the menu.

The dessert is your choice of chocolate fondue with an unlimited dipping of w/e you want, we had lots of strawberries but there were others.

Posted 11/06/08 | Report Abuse

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never had it before til this place. love it. cheese, meat, chocolate.. they have it all. the service was good. line to be seated wasn't long. i'm not a chocolate person, i was totally surprised at how much you could do with che

Posted 11/27/07 | Report Abuse

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What's not to love about a restaurant that serves delicious cheese, meat, and of course, chocolate fondues? If it weren't enough that the fondues are to die for, even the salad at la Fondue is delicious with it's little meat and cheese rolls atop a mountain of veggies, mushrooms, and cheese. The old location sported an eclectic blend of decors and I can't wait to sample the fare at the new location, just down the street in Saratoga. A little too expensive for regular dining out, this is definitely a fun place to splurge when you want to celebrate!

Posted 10/14/07 | Report Abuse

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I've been here only once. I was given a gift certificate as a present by someone who likes going here. The atmosphere is very nice and we had a leisurely dinner. We had cheese and chocolate fondue and cooked our vegetable and meat at the table ourselves. It was a nice experience.

Posted 10/24/06 | Report Abuse

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It is a treat to go to La Fondue. I like eating here with a group of people because they don't rush you out the door. The meal is long and drawn out, so go with people that you like to hang out with.

Posted 07/21/06 | Report Abuse

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My whole family LOVES La Fondue. We go once or twice a year and it is always special. The ambiance is exotic and very conducive to conversation. Being a fondue meal, it takes a long time to eat it all. If you go for the full menu...hors d'ouevres, main meal and dessert....it is easy to spend 2= hours here!

Last time we went, we took my parents and in-laws. My mother-in-law, who had never been there before, was blown away by how delicious everything was. The menu includes lots of "normal" items, such as duck, calamari, fruit, etc to cook fondue-tyle. But it also includes some unusual ones such as ostrick, buffalo and wild turkey.

If you want to have a special evening for two...or a celebration with a group...this is the place to go!

Be sure to call ahead for reservations. A weekend reservation may require 2 weeks notice!

Oh, and if you just want dessert...you can go after 10pm for dessert only. A very special way to end your evening after a play or concert!

PROS: YUMMY! Great for intimate meal or with a group
CONS: Kind of pricey...but worth it.

Posted 07/12/06 | Report Abuse

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Going to La Fondue feels like an event and not a ordinary night out at the restaurant. If you go for a full meal, you will likely spend at least 2, 2 1/2 hours here. The decor is great and makes you feel like the money you spend (which will be quite a bit) is worth something. Last time we went, we ordered the "Wild Thing", which is plate of different game meat. It's wonderful to get to try so many different things.

Posted 03/12/06 | Report Abuse

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I've only been here once, but it was a really fun dining experience. You can either go for the full 3 course meal or just for dessert. If you only go for dessert, I think you have to wait until at least 9:00pm. Each room has a different design and has a very inviting atmosphere. You can either cook the items on the grill or in a broth (no hot oil fondue here). The appetizer course offers a cheese fondue and the dessert course offers chocolate. I was so full afterwards! I think I would just go for dessert in the future.

Posted 03/06/06 | Report Abuse

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This is the place I choose when I want to go out to eat for a birthday or other special occaision. When we get the full course, it takes nearly 3 hours for dinner, which includes salad, cheese fondue, meat fondue, and chocolate fondue. By the time we reach the chocolate fondue, we are full, but we eat it anyway because it is so delicious. Great for a date night because you get plenty of time to talk over dinner. The ambiance is beautiful and each room in the restaurant is different. It's a real treat.

PROS: yummy slow-paced dinner
CONS: expensive

Posted 03/03/06 | Report Abuse

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You have to go to La Fondue at least once... its a true dining experience. If you think you have had the fondue experience (liek in the 70's), then think again. Not only can you choose what meat you want, you can cook it any way you want. The chef salad is lovely especially with honey mustard dressing. We choose the wild mushroom cheese fondue and the mix of semisweet and milk chocolate fondue. We always get the fondue feats which includes all of this.... you just have to go!

PROS: Great food, atmosphere
CONS: expensive

Posted 11/10/05 | Report Abuse

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It's a very nice, intimate restaurant with a little bit of adventure mixed in. The choices you have could drive you nuts. 1. Choice of cooking method: different fondue liquids to poach your items in or choose the grilling method (our favorite). 2. Choice of cheese fondue starter. 3. Choice of salad. 4. Choice of main entre, even more choices of meats, veggies, etc. 5. Choice of chocolate fondue. Whooo. Everything is inclusive at one price, normally for two. I also think there are individual meals, which we don't order. There are various levels of two person meals which include fish/shrimp/meats/poultry. Even some wild exotic meats such as venison, ostrich, alligator (dunno if that's a regular item) and buffalo. Expect to spend at least $50 per person with one drink, but it's well worth the experience. You can also go just for dessert, chocolate fondue but I believe it's after 10pm or by reservation only. Expect to take your time (2 hours min.) to savor the food and experience.

PROS: Great date or anniversary restaurant
CONS: minimal drop in availability, sometimes reservations are out a couple weeks

Posted 08/30/05 | Report Abuse

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I took my Mom to La Fondue for her 70th birthday and we had a great time. The ambiance is nice and they are very friendly. If you stick to the cheese and chocolate fondues this is a great experience. Cooking your own meat at $50 a person (total) is too much for me. But I would go back for just the fondues which are well done and creative. Mon and Tues nights there is no corkage fees. Servers are very young and nice but some lack experience although they are trying. Good date spot.

PROS: Nice Ambiance, good fondue
CONS: Entree part is lacking

Posted 05/19/05 | Report Abuse

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