High in the Swiss Alps, separated from towns and therefore fresh goods, poor villagers relied on locally-made staples like bread and cheese to carry them through the long, unforgiving winters.
As the cold months raged on, the bread and cheese would get staler and staler. And drier and drier. The villagers decided, “This won’t do at all!”
So they would take the hardened Gruyere, and heat it over a fire. They discovered to their delight, not only did it taste better but it was easier to eat! The bread would soften when dipped in the melted cheese, making it more palatable, indeed.
Soon they were taking creative license and adding in wine, herbs and other seasonings. Communal dining was common, so the villagers kept warm and cozy over a open fire, with their hearts and bellies full. So fondue was born.
Most likely due to the French occupation of Switzerland in the eighteenth century, fondue gets its name from the French word fondre, to melt.
Fast forward three-hundred years later. The warm, melty goodness of fondue would be found at groovy sixties parties, alongside lava lamps and ganja.
Today, fondue has found a resurgence at restaurants everywhere. It has great options for vegetarians, too. My advice? Leave bubbling, hot cauldrons of cheese to the experts. It’s just tastier. And safer.
So grab a bunch of your best pals and shimmy down to The Melting Pot. All they do is fondue, and they have various cheeses, beef, chicken, seafood, and most importantly, chocolate. Do not attempt to leave without trying the chocolate fondue, or I will come to your house and glare at you.
The Melting Pot
1220 19th St NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 857-0777
OpenTable Reservations
The Melting Pot
1110 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-4490
OpenTable Reservations
The Melting Pot
9021 Gaither Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 519-3638
OpenTable Reservations
The Melting Pot
11400 Commerce Park Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 264-0900
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