Tom and I had the pleasure to accompany Nancy and Barry to La Casa del Fondue last night!
It was a first visit for all of us; and for me a first ever Fondue restaurant visit.
What with being lactose intolerant and all...
However, I was assured there were non-dairy selections! And oh were there!
The restaurant sits at the corner of Circuito Colonias and calle 22 (on the 22 side) in Colonia Mexico Oriente, it is small but packed! Only 5 tables inside, with another 5 or 6 outside. In typical gringo fashion we were there quite early for cena (which is the lighter evening meal), arriving about 7:30pm. By the time we left, about 10, the place was full, and on a Monday night!
Our waitress, Elsa, was a marvel, she was fast, efficient, pleasant, and observant.
The inside is loaded with stuff to see; posters, pictures, chatckis, and funny signs; the owner has a terrific sense of humor.
The ceiling is in movement with the suspended wine bottles and there are several very funny things written about the bottles, how they get there, and what may happen should one fall. You will have to go find out for yourself...
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| This is the cheese fondue, but with bacon and ajillo (guajillo) chiles. Really good, and just the right spiciness. |
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| This is the traditional cheese fondue, but with bacon! |
The fondues are served with bread cubes, plain and seasoned with fines herbs. However, there are optional other things you can order; brocolli, mushrooms, potatos, etc.
Nancy and I shared a Fondue Oriental.
This was a lovely savory broth already loaded with brocolli, cauliflor, and carrots. We then ordered the Mar y Tierra option which gave us our choice of two each from the Mar, and two each from the Tierra options. We went with beef, chicken, fish, and squid. All came out in small cubes and ready to simmer. Nancy and I agreed that next time we would stick with Mar; pescado y calamar. This was advertised as a 'for 2 persons' size. We couldn't finish it!
These are our dipping sauces; cilantro cream (the best), xcatic cream (delicious but a bit spicy), sweet mustard, and a bbq sauce, although they called it a ciruela sauce.
And then there is the aftermath, detritus.....
We finished the meal with a chocolate fondue, and 2 heaping plates of dippers; apple, strawberry, banana, marshmallows, gads, I can't remember it all. And of course completely forgot to take a picture.
In fact, everytime something arrived we would all be so mesmerized that it wasn't until too late that I would remember to take a photo.
They have a large beverage selection - Barry, as those of you who know Barry would expect, went with coffe, which he pronounced 'Good'. The rest of us went with the Clericot, which is a FABULOUS Sangria style wine infusion full of flavor and chopped fruit.
It really was a fabulous drink. They offered us a choice of suave o fuerte, which indicated the amount of wine which will be included. We went with fuerte, and it was terrific!
We all had a really good time - the service was fabulous, Elsa works Monday and Tuesday evenings by the way!. The food was all really good, and we were with friends and having a great time!
And it wasn't just because of the Clericot, I swear it wasn't!!!!
We all said we'd go back! For Sure!
OK details for the restaurant
Calle 22 #223 por Circuito Colonias, Col. Mexico Oriente, Merida, Yucatan, MX
J. Román Azueta is the owner, and I definitly want to meet this man, he has wicked sense of humor.
local phone 287-3421
Iusa 99-93-18-03-82
Telce 99-99-95-44-11
all of this is on the business card so I feel comfortable noting it here!
They also offer Cupones de Courtesia, which we call frequent buyer cards - so get a move on! What'cha waitin for!
We were all thrilled, if not a bit overwhelmed by the selection palette.
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