If your cheese-o-meter is not yet full, then fill up on some liquid gold fondue in your favorite location! Here are some ideas.
Hans-Rüdi's Chalet
FONDUE IN A CITY CHALET
Crowne Plaza Geneva
Avenue Louis Casai 75-77
1216 Genève
022 710 30 52 reservations
www.cpgva.ch
Hans Rüdi's chalet awaits you at the Crowne Plaza Geneva. Consisting of a wooden chalet with pretty flower boxes, red and white checkered curtains and log pile against the wall, has just been installed in front of Crowne Plaza Geneva's main entrance. Guests can enjoy a homemade fondue, prepared according to Hans-Rüdi's own recipe.
Eight guests, at most, sit around a large wooden table covered with a red and white checkered tablecloth. The walls are decorated with colorful paintings on wood, old ski poles and snowshoes.
The menu is chalked on slates attached to the wall: fondue moitié-moitié (Vacherin and Gruyère AOP), cepe mushrooms fondue, dried meat and a plate of cold cuts. As dessert, pineapple carpaccio and fresh mint, or meringues accompanied by Gruyère double cream and red fruit.
All under the gaze of a photo of Hans Rüdi and his dog Bruno.
Hans Rüdi's chalet is open every day until mid-March, midday and evening.
Fondue on the CGN cruise on the lake
FONDUE CRUISE
Lake Gourmet
Compagnie Général de Navigation
www.cgn.ch
0848 811 848
The boat leaves at 19h45 on the dot and returns at 22h. If you are lucky you might be able to see the lights of the city reflecting in the water. A delicious and creamy fondue will warm you up.
The cost for the cruise and meal price: cheese fondue, beverages, and dessert. Reservations are recommended and necessary for groups of 10 or more on Friday evenings for the cheese fondue; Thursday evenings for Fondue Chinoise (meat fondue cooked in a broth). This is all-year except during the summer.
Note: The CGN also offers the same thing from Lausanne to Morges.
La Yourte aux Fondues
FONDUE IN A YURT
next to the Grand-Saconnex ice rink
022 740 51 10
Open for fondue 7/7 from 11h-22h (breakfast open from 8h)
www.t-interactions.ch
If you want to feel good about eating melted cheese and downing some white wine, then know that this place is run as a social service to help handicapped people, students and those with reintegration issues enter into the working world. The fondue and ambiance are excellent. The wood-burning furnace adds to the atmosphere.
A fondue menu including viande sechée, fondue, and dessert is possible — or upgrade to a champagne fondue menu for a little extra.
Fondue at the Bains de Pâquis
FONDUE IN THE MIDDLE OF GENEVA’S PORT
Bains des Paquis
30, quai du Mont-Blanc
1201 Genève
022 732 29 74
www.bains-des-paquis.ch
www.aubp.ch
Set at the Bains de Pâquis, a sauna off the quai du Mont-Blanc, you realize that this isn’t your typical restaurant. Open all day and all year, you must try their fondue made with sparkling wine (Crémant) during the cold months. It's deliciously creamy and one of the best deals around includes a bowl of fresh fruit salad! It is an association that runs this joint and you must go to the outdoor counter to order your fondue and pick up your drinks. If you are lucky you might get a proper chair, otherwise you will have to cosy up on a bench with strangers as the picnic-style tables are lined up 3 in a row! They serve excellent local wines for about Fr. 35.-/bottle. Listen out for the waiter carrying your hot and heavy fondue shouting your name as he scurries from one end of the room to the other. Once you are finished ask the waiter to scrape the cheesy crust from the bottom of the pan (racler la réligieuse du caquelon) then help yourself to a bowl of fresh fruit salad that is set by the wall (included in the price of the fondue). Open from 18h-21h for dinner. If you are up for it, have a dip in the lake followed by a sauna for a meager price before the fondue. Reservations recommended. Note: Don’t forget to wear layers as you might be near the windows or next to a fireplace.
