Fondue Restaurants Near Annapolis, MD

The Melting Pot

The Annapolis Melting Pot is part of the popular chain of fondue restaurants that can be found all over the United States. These restaurants are popular for good reason-the menu offers a wide range of options sure to appeal to fondue lovers and to make converts out of those who have yet to be introduced to fondue. The Annapolis Melting Pot menu features six different types of cheese fondue (including spicy fiesta, traditional Swiss and spinach artichoke) and four different types of broth (either wine or bouillon-based) in which a variety of meats and seafood may be cooked to taste. Vegetarians aren't forgotten, even the ones who do not eat dairy-the vegetarian selection has pasta and tofu as well as vegetables that can be cooked in your choice of broth. Dessert is where the menu really shines, as you can choose among house specialty fondues such as bananas foster or cookies and cream dream. You can also create your own special variety of dessert fondue featuring white, milk or dark chocolate flavored with you choice of liqueur. If you're over 21, you may enjoy one of the specialty drinks such as the chocolate fontini (chocolate, coffee and Irish cream liqueurs mixed with melted chocolate) or the strawberry basil lemonade (strawberry vodka, fresh strawberries, basil and lemonade), or you may order off the wine list (all bottles are half-price on Thursday nights).

2348 Solomons Island Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-8004
http://www.meltingpot.com

Olga's Swiss and German Restaurant

Olga Zosso opened her charming Swiss chalet-style restaurant in Clinton, Maryland in 1990, and it has been serving up tasty Swiss and German fare ever since. The fondue is of the classic Swiss cheese variety, served with chunks of French bread, and the appetizer menu features raclette, melted Fontana cheese served with cornichons (tiny gherkin pickles), pearl onions, boiled potatoes and bread. You can certainly fill up on fondue, but if you'd like to sample a little of what the rest of the menu has to offer, house specialties include Norwegian salmon with dill butter sauce, paprika schnitzel (veal cutlet in paprika cream sauce) and a bernerplatte (Bernese plate) of sausages, smoked pork loin and sauerkraut. Desserts include apple strudel and German chocolate cake (no dessert fondue, sadly), and there is an extensive selection of German beers to complement the German-Swiss cuisine.

319 Old Branch Ave.
Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 599-7629

Grand Cru Wine Bar and Euro Cafe

The Grand Cru is, as the name implies, first and foremost a wine bar, where you can purchase wines by the glass or the bottle. Bottles are priced at retail (as the store portion of the establishment offers carryout wine sales), but there is a $12 corkage fee to have the bottle opened in the restaurant. If you do not finish your bottle of wine, however, you are certainly permitted to have it re-corked and take it home with you. If wine isn't your thing, the restaurant also offers 40 types of beers, 30 sodas (mostly of the low-sugar or unsweetened natural variety), iced teas, herbal teas, coffee, hot chocolate and bottled water.

Fondue features on the dinner menu both as an entree (Gruyere cheese, white wine and shallots served with croutons) and as a dessert (dark Belgian chocolate served with an assortment of fruits). You may order either fondue portioned for a singe diner, or you may have it sized up to serve two or more diners. Other entrees include seared duck breast with a sweet potato goat cheese and prosciutto puree, sea scallops in a white cheddar risotto and a wild mushroom orzo with melted Gruyere and white truffle oil. Dessert options feature crème brulée, mini cannolis and white chocolate bread pudding served with golden raisins and a vanilla anglaise sauce.

4401 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 243-7900
http://www.grandcru-wine.com