By Nikki Fiedler
Fondue, the interactive meal.
Richmond, Virginia provides a breathtaking travel destination in autumn, when the deciduous trees' leaves change from green to blazing red, yellow and umber. The city also offers nature exploration, quality museums, beautiful gardens, history tours and fine dining. While Richmond restaurants specialize in various styles of cuisine, if you're looking to dip into fondue, you won't find the largest selection. However, you can still enjoy cheese, meat or dessert fondue at a select few restaurants.
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot offers a wonderful dining experience whether you're new to fondue or a tried-and-tested fondue fan who cannot get enough. Make a reservation before your night out, and be aware that the cooking and eating experience can take anywhere from one to four hours or more, depending on the size of your party and the number of courses you order. Choose from a range of cheese fondues (Swiss, cheddar, fiesta Mexican style or Wisconsin trio) and add on a mushroom, chef, Caesar or California salad. For a full four-course meal, the staff makes cheese and chocolate fondues at your table, where you also can cook your own meats and seafood in broth cooking pots. Chocolate fondue comes in choices of dark, milk, white and peanut butter. A la carte service is also available. The restaurant serves cocktails, and is open for dinner seven days a week. As of March 2010, fondue prices per couple range from $16 for cheese fondue to $88 for the Lobster Indulgence.
The Melting Pot
9704 Gayton Road
Richmond, VA 23233
804-741-3120
www.meltingpot.com/location.aspx?q=129
Florida Fondue Development
This up-and-coming restaurant serves European cuisine and French fondue. Members of your party who don't feel like partaking in fondue can order other meals a la carte. For fondue, dip into surf or turf fare, with main-course meat selections like beef, chicken and pork, and seafood items like shrimp and fish. If you have room, chocolate dessert fondue comes with fresh strawberries, bananas, marshmallows and cake. Soft-mood music and walls decorated by modern art make for a relaxing environment for a date, family or friends. As of March 2010, dessert pots range from $20 and main fondue pots start at $25.
Florida Fondue Development
1306 Gaskins Road
Richmond, VA 23233
804-741-4045
Bella Arte
Bella Arte serves an upscale fusion of Italian and French cuisine. The intimate-sized restaurant includes elegant, European-style table places and settings. A waiter will make fondue cheese appetizers at your table for a fragrant dining experience. For dessert, Bella Arte offers chocolate-dipped fruit and cheesecake on a share platter that's quite filling for its $20 price (all prices as of March 2010). Italian pastas and main dishes like parmigiana and tortellini are also available, with average prices around $15. Fondue items to be shared by two start at $23.
Bella Arte
1223 Bellevue Ave.
Richmond, VA 23227
804-515-9099
Resources
About the Author:
Nikki Fiedler started writing professionally in 2004. She has been published in "The Vegetarian Journal," "Collegebound," "The Sandspur," "Orlando Style Magazine" and "Rollins Alumni Record." Fiedler graduated from Rollins College in 2008 with a double honors Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and studio art.
Photo Credits:
fondue (chees) image by araraadt from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
