Fondue Pot with Dipping Foods
Fondue is a communal meal, perfect for large groups. Traditionally a Swiss cuisine, fondue literally means "melted" and this style of cooking usually consists of a mixture of melted cheeses served with platters of bite-sized pieces of meat, seafood, vegetables and bread. These items are are served communally as diners dip them into the hot mixture using long skewers. Fondue meals are leisurely and meant to incite conversation among diners.
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot began in 1975 as a small fondue restaurant in Florida with just three items on the menu: cheese, beer and chocolate fondue. Today it is an international franchise with hundreds of restaurants serving a menu that includes fondue themes such as "Pacific Fusion" "Fiesta Cheese" and "Wisconsin Trio."
Guests can choose basic cheese fondue served with breads, vegetables and apples for dipping. Or, three and four course dinners are also available, which include entrees such as lobster tail, pork tenderloin and chicken breast. Diners select one of four cooking styles for each entree, such as coq a vin (herbs, mushrooms, garlic and wine), mojo style (Carribbean flavors), bourguignonne (European style fondue in a cholesterol-free canola oil) or court bouillon (homemade seasoned vegetable broth). Waiters cook all ingredients on an electric, tabletop range.
Single items such as shrimp, sirloin and vegetarian selections are also available. The Melting Pot has an extensive cocktail menu and wine list and a selection of chocolate fondue desserts. Reservations are strongly advised. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and dinner is served from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and on weekends until 11:00 p.m. Lunch and dinner menues are identical.
The Melting Pot Restaurant
80 9th Street S.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-338-9900
meltingpot.com/location.aspx?q=80
Matterhorn Room at the Lowell Inn
The Matterhorn Room is in the historic Lowell Inn, built in 1927. Formerly called the Matterhorn Fondue Room, the restaurant has been in service since 1959. Every Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m., it serves an authentic Swiss fondue dinner. The four course menu includes a mixture of Gruyere and Fontina cheeses, salads, beef tenderloin, duck breast, tiger shrimp and a chocolate ganache desert. Optional wine and beer selections can be served with each course. The entire menu can be viewed online at: http://www.lowellinn.com/swiss_fondue.htm. As of April 2010, the price is $32 per person and reservations are advised.
Matterhorn Room at the Lowell Inn
102 2nd Street N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-439-1100
lowellinn.com/dining.htm
Seafood Palace
Seafood Palace is an inexpensively-priced Cantonese restaurant specializing in fresh seafood selections. Located south of downtown, Seafood Palace serves take out and sit down lunches and dinners, as well as a special winter fondue menu from November to March. Choose from entrees such as beef tenderloin, bay scallops, shrimp and more that get stir-fried tableside in a hot broth seasoning. The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Seafood Palace
2523 Nicollet Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
651-968-8746
Tags: Seafood Palace, Matterhorn Room, served with, also available, beef tenderloin, chocolate fondue