Cheese lovers now have a reason to celebrate, as La Fondue, an up-and-coming fondue joint has recently opened in the popular dining enclave of Dempsey Road to cater to all your dipping needs. Though not easily accessible unless you have your own set of wheels or a penchant for taxi rides, this restaurant certainly provides a dining experience that is out of the ordinary and worth the trip, at least once anyway. Barely 2 months old, this snazzy eatery offers so many different kinds of fondue you will hardly know where to start. Worry not, however, as there is no shortage of helpful staff on hand to guide you through your fondue adventure.

• The Vibe
  La Fondue may not be the biggest restaurant around, but their space is well-utilized, and high ceilings further add to the illusion that the space is bigger than it is. With modern leather seating and dark wooden tables, La Fondue manages to project a regal atmosphere, its black beams almost medieval in style. Soothing jazz strained through the speakers at a comfortable level, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your meal.

• The Food
  Apart from a wide selection of cheese fondue spanning 10 (and soon to be 20) different flavours and types, the menu at La Fondue comprises several set meals. Each starts with a salad, followed by your choice of cheese fondue, then meat fondue as a main course. Dessert is your choice of chocolate fondue. Sound yummy?

  The Garden Salad, though pleasantly fresh with its olives and cherry tomatoes, is no match for the Caesar Salad. Crisp romaine lettuce accompanied by salty bacon bits and croutons is a pleasant way to start a meal. The former fails to impress, its balsamic vinaigrette dressing just a tad too jarring.

  For an authentic Swiss treat, the Swiss Traditional Cheese Fondue is the way to go. The pot of melted cheese is brought to a simmer on an induction cooker fitted right into the table. Though mild in taste, the novelty of dipping pieces of bread into the pot does wear off after awhile. As if to distract from the monotony of the dipping, a platter of boiled vegetables is served alongside the focaccia – a myriad of asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and baby corn to tantalize your tastebuds.

  The Mexicana Herbs Cheddar Fondue gives the conventional version a much needed twist. Slightly spicy with an obvious tinge of Jalapeno peppers, this pot of cheesy goodness fares much better in the taste department.

  While there are 5 meat cooking methods to choose from, Bourguignonne is considered the most customary in Swiss cultures. This European style of dipping pieces of meat in a pot of boiling oil is taken to a new level at La Fondue with an impressive selection of marinated meat and seafood ranging from chicken to lobster, Kobe Wagyu fillet mignon, duck breast and even ostrich fillet. All ingredients are obviously fresh, but the end result is mediocre at best.

  Dessert comes in the form of yet another pot filled this time with rich, thick dark chocolate adorned with fresh strawberries. The Original Chocolate Fondue is sinfully delicious, and comes accompanied by a generous serving of marshmallows, brownies and assorted fruit for dipping. For something a little more adventurous, the Tiramisu Fondue is sheer heaven. Like the Italian cake it imitates, the hint of caffeine in this dish is just right, as is the slight alcoholic taste of rum.

• The Service
  Attentive but not overbearing, the staff at La Fondue seem a little shy. Ice water is refilled often, and staff step in every so often to check in and ensure dishes are at their ideal temperature. Food does take awhile to arrive, though.

The SD Food Advisor's take on La Fondue
For a fondue novice, La Fondue is a great place to learn the ropes. Though its pricing is rather steep, the unique concept of the restaurant is a reason in itself to visit. It provides a fun dining experience, although it may well lose its novelty over time.